Category Archives: CFL

CFL

Burgess, Tom


Cards: All World CFL 1991
Acquired: TTM c/o the CFL

Tom Burgess was a prolific passer in college playing for tiny Colgate university in 1985 where he received the Andy Kerr trophy for the team’s most valuable player, and  also to the Colgate Sports Hall of Fame in 1986. Undrafted by the NFL, Burgess continued to follow his dream of playing professional football to the CFL where he played for the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1986-1987. He’d then spend roughly two seasons each with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Ottawa Rough Riders again, and finally finishing out his career with the Roughriders (again) in 1994-1995. Burgess played in two Grey Cups, winning it in 1989 and earning the MVP Honor in 1990.

After retiring to Phelps, New York Tom was inducted into the Roughriders plaza of honor in 2009.

Games N/a    Att 4034    Comp  2118      Pct  52.5%
Yds 30308       Td  190      Int 104      Rat 82.1

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Gelbaugh, Stan

Cards: ProSet 1991, ProSet WLAF 1991 LL, Proset WLAF 1991, Ultimate WLAF 1991 ll, Ultimate WLAF 1991, Ultimate WLAF 1991 Team Card, Wild Card WLAF 1992.
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o work
Sent: 7/30   Received: 9/3  (34 days)
Stan Gelbaugh is one of a long line of noted quarterbacks that came out of the University of Maryland. A sidearm quarterback drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 6th round of the 1986 draft, Gelbaugh ended up punting for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL that season. Later he signed with the Buffalo Bills where he was backup for 4 seasons. Finally after a short off season with the Bengals in 1990, he found himself out of football and giving up the sport for good.  The ‘gods of football’ had different plans for Stan Gelbaugh though when former teammate Jim Haslett convinced Stan to take another shot when the WLAF opened its doors for business.
Drafted by the London Monarchs in their supplemental draft in 1990, Stan would get his second chance. Mentored by coach Larry Kennan, Stan started the season as the backup quarterback, but by the end of the first game he laid his claim to the starting job. He never relinquished it, grabbing MVP honors from the league and leading the Monarchs  to an 11-1 record and the first World Bowl championship.
After a rough political offseason between the WLAF and the NFL, Gelbaugh found himself on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, then quickly back in the NFL on the Phoenix Cardinals. Before the end of that 1991 season, he’d then be signed to the Seattle Seahawks, where former coach Larry Kennan was now offensive coordinator. As his roundabout tour continued, Gelbaugh exasperatedly returned to the Monarchs for the 1992 WLAF season, where the team collapsed under a new coach and a 2-7-1 record. (Gelbaugh  still turned in almost 2000 yards passing and 11 touchdown passes.) After the 1992 WLAF season, Gelbaugh returned to the Seahawks, where in one MNF contest, he ignited the Seahawks to an improbable comeback victory over their rival Denver Broncos. Stan retired after the 1996 season.
Gelbaugh since retirement has been involved in coaching and now works full time for a construction company in Washington DC and loves golfing. He finished his London career as the team’s leading quarterback in almost every category. Gelbaugh also finished as the WLAF’s career leader for attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns. He’d also be the only quarterback in the league to throw for two 90 yard plus touchdown strikes.
I took a stab in the dark at Stan Gelbaugh, utilizing the power of the internet (Google) to find his address. His name isn’t the most common in the universe, and after about 20 minutes I was able to track him down. I broke a major rule when I mailed Stan: I sent more than 4 cards. In fact I sent seven, (every WLAF card he ever had). I told him he could sign what he wanted and return it and that would be fine. He kindly signed every one for me.  Included below are his WLAF career statistics.

Games 20   Att   582    Comp 336      Avg  57.7   Yds 4622     Td  28    Int 24     Lg 98T     Rat  82.1

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Jones, Eric

Card: Pro Set WLAF 1991
Acquired: In Person, San Antonio Riders v Birmingham Fire 1992

 

After being touted by the Vanderbilt football program in 1988 as a Heisman Trophy candidate, Eric Jones went undrafted, and was signed in 1989 by the British Columbia Lions of the CFL.  June Jones and the Detroit Lions soon came a calling after a season ending injury to quarterback Rodney Peete. Eric was on the roster for the remainder of the season.

In 1991, Eric was picked up by the Birmingham Fire of the WLAF where he worked his way into the starting lineup after inconsistent play and injury took its tool on starting quarterback Brent Pease. Jones also wore the helmet cam during the 1991 post season when the team faced the Dragons in the playoffs.

In 1992, Eric was backup to Mike Norseth and played sparingly that season before the league disbanded. I’d get his autograph after the night game ended between the Riders and Fire. He was really gracious, and excited to sign my card.

Eric after football has worked his way into the medical field and is now involved with the Boston Scientific Corporation where he sells defibrillators and pacemakers. 

Games N/a   Att 87  Comp 41  Pct 47.1  Yds 495
Td 1   Int 9  Rat 29.3