And after the 5th try, the elusive Babe Laufenberg decided to sign these two cards and write me a great response dripping with his signature snark. -I loved it.
Lee-
Well, you certainly sound like a big fan. I grabbed another card to enclose with yours. I think you may want a “back up” and being basically a career back-up in the NFL, you can imagine I am quite sure I am fond of a good back-up! Thanks for your kind words and you be safe down there in Austin.
Babe Laufenberg
Big win years in the making!
I had actually missed out on Babe back in 2019 in person! In 2019, The Spring League (the precursor to the new USFL) was hosting their regular event, this time in Austin. I decided to go and grabbed a stack of cards of players who were trying out. It was cold for April, and I ambled up and put on my HOUSTON Oilers Apex jacket. Then some guy buzzed past me in a Dallas Cowboys Apex jacket from the 90s as well. I was both amused and annoyed that I got shown up! I found out later that it was the Babe himself! I kicked myself for YEARS not recognizing him.
Shout out to my new TTM friend Brent who is trying to encourage me to post addresses again by sharing a recent spate of WLAF successes with me. He gave me this address and I got a response in a bit over 30. Afterwards I got two or three private messages from IU fans who had tried Babe 5 or 6 times with no luck themselves.
CARDS: Topps 1970, Upper Deck College Legends 2011 ACQUIRED: TTM 2020, C/o Home SENT: 11/25/20 RECEIVED: 12/3/20 (8 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Lee Roy Jordan was a star linebacker and center at the University of Alabama from 1960-’62.
6th overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1963 NFL Draft, and the 11th overall pick by the Boston Patriots in the AFL Draft.
Signed with Cowboys where they immediately started him at weakside linebacker.
In 1965 took over the middle linebacking roles full time.
Had a team record 21 tackles against Eagles in 1971.
That same year, intercepted Ken Anderson THREE times during the first quarter of a game, returning one for a TD.
Over career tallied 32 picks, returning 3 for TDs, including a career high 6 in 1973 and ’75.
Retired as the franchise’s all time leading solo tackler (743, since surpassed).
Started a franchise record 154 consecutive starts.
Retired after the 1976 season.
ACCOLADES:
College Football Hall of Fame
Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor
2nd Team All Pro 1969, ’73
Pro Bowl 1967-’69, ’73-’74
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
PFRA Hall of Very Good
Cowboys Silver Season All-Time Team
NFC Defensive Player of the Year 1973
NOTES:
Lee Roy Jordan was an excellent player, who despite his size, excelled at the pro level with desire and hunger for the game. Jordan studied film relentlessly and also ran Tom Landry‘s Flex defense. He’s absolutely another player that should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
EPITAPH:
8/30/25- Lee Roy Jordan passed away at the age of 84 today. In the days leading up to this date, Jordan’s family had been sending back mail to fans indicating that he was too sick to sign. At the time of his passing, he was Alabama’s oldest living All-American.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
