Category Archives: NFL

NFL, WLAF

Sancho, Ron

pset91 sanchoult92 sanchowcwlaf92 sancho

Cards: ProSet WLAF 1991, Ultimate WLAF 1992, Wildcard WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent: 8/15   Received: 8/21 (6 days)
Failure: 2010, C/o Home

An LSU linebacker from 1985- 1988, Ron Sancho earned Honorable Mention All-American and 2nd Team All-SEC after recording 77 tackles, 10 TFL, and 5 sacks in 1988. Ron was selected in the 7th round of the 1989 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs but did not survive the final cuts. Ron signed with the Broncos later that season. He re-upped with Denver again in 1990, but did not make the squad.

The WLAF New York-New Jersey Knights selected Ron during the 2nd round of the league’s positional draft in 1991. He’d go on to record a banner year for the team scoring 3 defensive TDs (recovering a fumble against Frankfurt in the endzone, blocking and recovering a punt against Montreal, and returning a fumble 14 yards against the Skyhawks). The Knights went on to lead the league with 8 defensive touchdowns that season behind Ron’s impressive season. Ron finished second on the team with 69 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, and 6 sacks. His nose for the endzone earned Sancho Second Team All World Honors in 1991.  Ron returned to the Knights for the 1992 season where he’d add another 4 sacks to his career totals, but the league under pressure from the NFL owners (who did an about face on supporting the league) elected to suspend the operations of the WLAF.

Ron retired in 1993 and currently owns his own company- Cardio Health Solutions LLC, and has been married to his high school sweetheart for some 25 years, while raising 3 wonderful children. He kindly took the time to write me a short letter thanking me for updating him on the status of his friends and teammates, -many of which he hadn’t seen or heard from in 20 years.

WLAF      Tac   N/a      Sac 10.0     Fum N/a    Int  0   Yds 0   Avg -.-   Td 0

 

 

NFL, WLAF

Ross, Phil

wcwlaf92 rossult92 ross

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cards: Ultimate WLAF 1992, Wild Card WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Work
Sent: 7/12   Received: 7/20   (8 days)

Phil Ross was a 4 year letterman for the Oregon State Beavers. He finished second on the team’s all-time receiving list with 153 receptions for 1,827 yards, and 6 touchdowns. His biggest highlight was an electrifying 73 yard catch and go as a redshirt freshman. Selected by the Dolphins in the 9th round of the 1990 draft, he’d be cut in training camp, but fit exactly what the WLAF was looking for in young talent. Offensive mastermind Chan Gailey selected Phil with the 10th pick of the 1st round in the TE portion of the WLAF inaugural draft.  His 6’4″, 238 frame mixed right in with the Birmingham Fire‘s offensive attack and he’d pair with Mark Hopkins to give defenses fits.  Based on his rushing stats, it looks like Gailey used Phil’s skill set at H-Back in addition to his normal duties at TE.

Every once in a while I scour the web and hit a virtual jackpot refining my Google technique. Around the middle of 2013 I readdressed what I liked collecting and decided to return to my roots and start really going back after WLAF guys. Thanks to modern networking sites I was able to locate a host of the members of the sets I need still. I emailed Phil and he was kind enough to accept and sign these cards for me. He also attached a nice note, and thanked me for updating him on the status of many of the members of the Birmingham Fire squad. Phil currently works in the mortgage industry in Washington.

Rec 24   Yds 227   Avg 9.5   Td 0   Lg 21
Rush 4   Yds 24   Avg 6.0   Td 0   Lg 11

NFL

Berry, Latin

sclub91 berryCard: Topps Stadium Club 1991
Acquired: TTM 10/19/13, Gift

I recently went to the GMC NFL Texas Tour event and on a whim since I had a few more free autograph vouchers than cards decided to get a few of my friends some autographed photos. A true gift to me is one that somebody doesn’t expect, so I didn’t bother telling anybody until after I had already done it.  On a whim I got on of my friends from Fanmail and Houston Fan Fest a Priest Holmes autograph, so he in return was so touched, he sent me back this sweet looking card.

Latin Berry was a dual threat man who played both football and track for the Oregon Ducks. Following his redshirt year in 1985, Latin began his career at tailback, before shifting fulltime to become the team’s starting fullback, blocking for quarterback Bill Musgrave.  He finished fourth on the school’s career rushing list with 1,548 yards and 11 touchdowns. With incredible speed,  and prowess at the long and triple jumps, scouts were eager to see the 5’10”, 196 Berry make a shift to a position more suited to his athletic talent and size at the professional level. The Los Angeles Rams drafted Berry with their 3rd round selection 1990, and tabbed him to be a defensive back. He’d make the squad that year and spell time with fellow returners Gaston Green and Robert Delpino on returns. The next season with Darryl Henley ailing from a hamstring injury and rookie Todd Lyght holding out, Berry got his shot to crack the starting lineup. He’d get some valuable preseason time, but as soon as Lyght signed and Henley was back, Berry went to odd man out among the final cuts. He’d quickly find a home in Cleveland in 1991, and remain with the team the next 3 seasons before retiring.  In 2013, he was honored with an induction into the Oregon Ducks Hall of Fame for his 4 time All-American Honors in Track & Field.  Latin lives in the Sulphur, LA area where my friend found Berry at his son’s high school football game. Latin was quite flattered by the cards and autograph request after all these years.

G/Gs 32/0    Ret  17    Yds 315    Avg   18.5     Lg 29   Td 0