Category Archives: Arena

Arena, NFL

Humphrey, Bobby

Cards: ProSet 1989, Score 1990, Action Packed Rookies 1992
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o Home
Sent:  10/15   Received:  11/12    (27 days)

Okay now Bobby I had been after for a while and the Harvey Meiselman list hit the spot on this one for me. Bobby has some fabulous cards, -most notably the ProSet 1989 and Score Ground Force 1990 were exceptional. (He also had a great ProSet 1990 as well as a Topps 1000 yard club card among others but I didn’t want to overdo it.) Anyway Bobby was the recipient of one of the most vivid hits I ever remember in sports history from linebacker Gary Reasons of the New York Giants on a cold and snowy day in Denver way back in 1990 or 1991. The hit even made a card or two and was featured as Gary Reasons’ Action Packed card for 1990.

Bobby Humphrey was an immense talent coming out of Alabama where he’d set many rushing records for the Crimson Tide during his tenure there. The Broncos would make him their #1 supplemental draft choice in 1989, – a wise choice considering Bobby fit right into the Broncos offensive game plan as he was a  great ‘slasher’ runningback which is ideal in a zone blocking system. He’d rush for 1151 yards, and if not for Barry Sanders outstanding rookie year, probably would have won the award himself. Humphrey was a machine and followed up his 1989 debut with a 1200 yard performace in 1990, but seeking more money in 1991 he’d hold out. The Broncos, unwilling to play games with Bobby refused to bargain and went with another option (Gaston Green) until Humphery showed up in week 14. The Broncos would trade Bobby to Miami in the offseason straight up for troubled Sammie Smith, in 1992. He’d respond with almost 1,000 yards from scrimmage (471 rushing, 507 receiving) but being that Miami at that time was still the place were ‘runningbacks went to die’, his 1993 season would be spent on injured reserve and he’d retire.

After football Humphrey has dabbled in coaching at one point being head coach of the Birmingham SteelDogs of the AFL for 5 seasons.  Bobby Humphrey, the runningback, should not be confused with former New York Jet and San Antonio Rider  Bobby Humphery who played in relatively the same era.

G/Gs  51/27     Rush 695     Yds 2857     Avg 4.1     Td 15   lg 40     |     Rec 100    Yds 815    Avg 8.2   Td 2  Lg 26

Arena, NFL, XFL

Sabb, Dwayne “Big Saab”

Card: StarPics 1992
Acquired: Patriots Blitz 1993

Drafted out of tiny New Hampshire in the 5th round of the 1992 draft by the New England Patriots to play linebacker, Dwayne Sabb has had quite an interesting and lively career. He’d play for the Patriots initially through the 1996 season. A good backup for the team, he’d start 24 games over 5 seasons making 7 sacks, 3 picks, 92 tackles and 3 fumbles. After he left New England he’d sign with the Chargers for the 1997 season, but not make the squad. In 1998 he signed with Buffalo and had the same result.

Sabb would sit out a few seasons until the XFL arrived. He’d sign with the New York/New Jersey Hitmen in 2001 and would be one of the league’s leaders in sacks before it folded at the end of the season. He’d finish the season with 26 tackles and 4 sacks for the team. Dwayne afterwards would spend the remainder of his career in the Arena leagues playing fullback and linebacker for the New Jersey Gladiators in 2001 and 2002. After a moderately successful time there, he’d play one season for the Buffalo Destroyers (2003) and Philadelphia Soul in 2004 before retiring.

Arena, NFL

Nagle, Browning

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1991, Action Packed Rookies 1992, Pro Set Platinum 1992, GameDay 1992
Acquired: In Person 1993, CGA Youth Golf Tournament

“And with the 34th pick in the 1991 NFL draft, The New York Jets select: Browning Nagle, Quarterback, Louisville.”  Perhaps most notably known as the pick right after Brett Favre, Browning Nagle comes from a long line of NFL drafted quarterbacks from Louisville, KY. The team went quarterback surprisingly, (despite a glaring need for defense,) enchanted by Nagle’s strength and velocity on the ball. After a quiet rookie season on the bench learning the ropes behind Ken O’Brien, Nagle would step into the starting lineup for the Jets in 1992. In 14 games he’d throw 7 touchdowns and for 2280 yards, but he’d turn the ball over 29 times (12 fumbles and 17 interceptions). When Boomer Esiason arrived the following season Nagle headed back to the bench where after the 1993 season I’d meet him at the CGA Youth Golf Tournament and get his autograph. In 1994, he’d sign with the Colts and finish out his 1995 and 1996 on the Falcons.  After sitting out 1997 and 1998 Nagle would play two seasons in the Arena leagues, for the Predators (1999) and Buffalo Destroyers (2000) before retiring from football. His two seasons in the AFL were pretty good in respect to his NFL work. (553 att, 303 comp, 54.8%, 4120 yards, 74 td, 18 int, 98.6 rat)

In one of my fonder moments on the first day of the CGA Youth Golf Tournament in 1993,  I met Billy Joe Tolliver, Browning Nagle and Steve Bartkowski on the course. They liked my likenesses I drew of them so much they signed everything I had of them. We talked football for a few minutes and I rode around on the course with them for a hole. Since football, Nagle has been working at Medtronic as a senior marketing manager and is extremely active in the celebrity golf tournament network. Below are his NFL stats.

G/Gs 24/14     Att 437    Comp 213   Yds 2489   Pct 48.7%    Td 8   Int 20    Rat 53.5  Lg 51