Corris Ervin would be an outstanding defensive back for the Central Florida Knights- being so good as to be drafted by the Denver Broncos with their 5th round pick in the 1988 draft. Ervin would spend time on the San Fransisco 49ers developmental squad in 1989 and would walk by me a few times in Dallas Cowboys Training camp in 1990. In 1991, the London Monarchs would draft Corris first in the WLAF positional draft for the defensive secondary. He’d form a cornerstone of the Monarchs #1 defense and secondary, helping the team win the World Bowl in 1991. After winning All-World League honors, he’d return to the states after the 1991 season, but in 1995 decided to take another shot- this time with the NFLE playing for the Scottish Claymores. Corris would make another 2 interceptions playing for the team and return back to the United States to play in the CFL for the Baltimore Stallions and in Canada with the Blue Bombers. In 1996 Ervin would go to the Arena Football league playing for both the Tampa Bay Storm and the Orlando Predators that year. He’d hang onto the roster of the Predators through 1999 where he was then traded to the Florida Bobcats, retiring after the season. Corris would also make an appearance as a defensive back in the movie “The Waterboy”. I started trying to track down players through social network sites and quickly found Corris after I was able to acquire teammate Howard Feggins. He kindly signed 3 cards for me and currently runs his own cabinetry business out of the Orlando area. Below are his statistics from the London Monarchs in 1991.
G/Gs 10/10 Tac 37 Sac 0 Fum n/a Int 2 Yds 13 Avg 6.5 Td 0 lg 13
Card: All World 1991
Acquired: TTM 1992, C/o The CFL
A 2005 Saskatchewan Roughriders Plaza of Honor inductee who played collegiately at Arizona, Jeff Fairholm was the Rookie of the Year in 1988 of the CFL Western Division, recording 45 catches that season. Considered a non-import because he was originally from Canada and played high school there, Fairholm would team up with Ray Elgaard and lead the team to the Grey Cup Championship in 1989 (with another 45 receptions). In 1990 Jeff would electrify the league with a franchise record 107 yard touchdown reception, despite limited play from injury; However, the next three seasons would be a testament to Jeff’s ability as he’d rake in 216 receptions and 28 touchdowns. He’d sign with the Argonauts as a free agent in 1994, but was never able to duplicate the numbers he had in those final 3 seasons for Saskatchewan. Solid slot receiver play from Fairholm helped him play in the league until he won another championship in 1996 with the Toronto Argonauts, where he later coached wide receivers. Since his coaching days Jeff has diversified his interests and also runs an internet corporation in the Montreal area.
Card: StarPics 1992
Acquired: In Person, Houston Oilers Training Camp 1992
In 1992, speedster and flanker Elbert Turner was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the seventh round. The Oilers had lost two receivers during Plan B in the off-season and were hoping that Turner would be one of those guys to fit the bill in their run and shoot offense. I’d get his autograph during training camp in San Antonio. Unfortunately he didn’t make the final cut with the team, but was picked up by the Cincinnati Bengals who hoped to put his world class speed and All-American hurdling skills to the test. Elbert would stick on their practice squad for that season and 1993. He’d head to Canada to keep playing football, and eventually hook on with the Saskatchewan Roughriders where he’d suit up for 15 games and through 1995 before retiring.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
