Leo Lewis was an offensive weapon in college at Missouri, seeing time rushing receiving and punt returning.
Played for the Tigers from 1975-’78.
Over college career amassed 82 receptions for 1043 yards and 9 TDs, 17 carries for 104 yards and 2 TDs, and returned 51 punts for 468 yards.
Undrafted he played in Canada for a season splitting time with the Calgary Stampeders and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1980.
Signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 1981.
Had most successful season in 1984, catching 47 passes for 834 yards and 4 TDs for the Vikings.
Doubled as the team’s primary punt returner in 1988 and ’89.
Led league with 58 returns (550 yards) in ’88, and had another 44 in ’89.
Split the 1990 campaign with the Browns and Vikings.
Retired after the 1991 season and 11 seasons with the Vikings.
Caught 182 passes for 2924 yards and 16 TDs while returning 49 punts for 1868 yards and a TD.
Vikings Director of Player Development from 1992-’05
Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Development at the University of Minnesota from 2005-’14.
NOTES:
Leo appeared early on in the Topps sets before the big boom of cards. I was surprised that he didn’t appear in Pro Set or Fleer for that matter near the tail end of his career, so I was happy to see that there was a Score 1990 floating around of him. He has a great autograph and I was a bit disappointed he wasn’t my first return of 2026.
Leo appeared in the classic Nintendo game Tecmo Bowl as a member of the Minnesota Monsters franchise and is a fantastic punt and kick returner.
Stepped into the starting lineup in ’73, and led the conference in completion percentage (55.8), yards per attempt (7.7) and rating (130.6), completing 116 of 208 passes for 1603 yards and 13 TDs.
Signed with the Southern California Sun of the WFL in 1975.
Completed 98 of 163 passes for 1404 yards and 11 TDs.
Was the league’s leading passer before heading off to Oxford.
After WFL folded he joined the Rams- who drafted Haden in the 7th round of the 1975 NFL Draft.
Completed 60 of 105 passes for 896 yards and 8 TDs after being pressed into action as the 3rd string QB during the second week of the season.
In ’77 completed 122 of 216 passes for 1551 yards and 11 TDs to 6 picks while guiding the team to 8 wins and 2 losses.
1978 would be Pat’s best overall season of his career, with him setting personal marks for attempts (444), completions (229), yards (2,995), TDs (13), and rushing with 33 carries for 206 yards.
He’d be supplanted in the lineup due to injury in 1979 as Vince Ferragamo led the Rams to the Super Bowl.
Injuries again derailed Haden’s 1980 and ’81 campaigns.
Went immediately into broadcasting providing color for CBS, NBC, Arena Football, Westwood One, and Notre Dame.
Athletic Director at USC from 2010-’16.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1977
NOTES:
Pat has been involved at numerous levels in charitable giving and organizations.
CARD: Pro Set WLAF 1991 ACQUIRED: 2025, eBay FAILURE: TTM 2011, C/o Home
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
A fast and hard hitting safety who always found a way to be around the ball, Falanda Newton played college ball for TCU from 1986-’88.
In 1987 he had 7 picks for 117 yards.
He also moonlighted at punt returner primarily that season as well.
Newton finished his college career with 15 interceptions for 274 yards and a TD over 33 contests.
Nominated for the Jim Thorpe Award his Senior campaign.
Undrafted, spent time in the camp of the Houston Oilers in ’89 and Cleveland Browns in ’90.
Second to last selection in the WLAF positional draft in 1991 by the New York-New Jersey Knights.
Started all 10 contests at free safety and posted 8 interceptions, 73 tackles, 12 pass deflections, and recovered 3 fumbles.
Set league record with 3 interceptions in a single game against the Monarchs.
Also blocked a punt that season.
Returned to the Knights for the 1992 campaign, posting 5 interceptions and 3 sacks.
After the league went on hiatus, Falanda played for Cincinnati of the Arena Football League in 1993.
Had 43 total tackles, 10 interceptions for 71 yards and 6 pass deflections.
ACCOLADES:
All World League 1991, ’92
NOTES:
Falanda has been impossible to track down or get a response from despite his unique name. When this one popped on eBay, I didn’t think twice and snapped it up immediately. He’s still got two set needs out there for me.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
