Category Archives: NFL

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Bethune, George

Card: Ultimate WLAF 1991
Acquired: In Person 1992, San Antonio Riders v. Sacramento Surge

George Bethune was drafted by the LA Rams in the 7th round of the 1989 draft from Alabama. He wouldn’t start any games but would manage to stay on the roster through the 1990 season, making 4 sacks and 1 fumble recovery playing linebacker. After not making the roster in 1991, George was the first defensive player chosen in the WLAF’s positional draft by the Sacramento Surge in 1992 at #1 overall. The pick came to the Surge via the Ohio Glory, who received Sacramento’s #1 pick (#2 overall), and starting center Curtis Wilson.  Bethune was penciled in at defensive end for the team and finished second on the team with 7 sacks (3rd in the league). The WLAF would reorganize after the 1992 season but Bethune kept his playing dreams alive.  I’d get his autograph at that final game back in 1992 on this great Ultimate Card.

George was signed by the Houston Oilers in 1992, but would be cut in training camp. He’d subsequently also be cut by the Packers in 1993.  George the tried his hand at the CFL and headed north to Canada to play for the Winnepeg Blue Bombers, and then later was acquired by the Sacramento Gold Miners in a trade during 1994. He’d play one final season with the team as they’d transition to San Antonio to become the Texans, but when the CFL folded in North American Operations, George retired.  Below are his WLAF statistics.

G/Gs  N/a     Tac   N/a      Sac  7.0     Fum  N/a    Int   0       Yds  0     Avg -.-    Td 0       Lg  -.-

NFL

Turk, Matt

Card: Pacific 1997
Acquired: TTM 2009,  Texans Blitz

Wow. Here’s another player that’s been playing since the twilight years of the Houston Oilers. Matt Turk like nearly all punters went undrafted coming out of college at Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1993.  He’d sign with his homestate Packers, but would not make the squad that season, or the Rams the following season in 1994.  In 1995, Matt found a home with the Washington Redskins where he’d punt from 1995-1999, earning Pro Bowl berths for his 96, 97, and 98 campaigns. For his 1996 season, Matt would earn AP honors with an outstanding 45.1 yard average and duplicate the feat again in 1997. He’d sign with the Dolphins in 2000, and punt 92 times that season, kicking a season long 70 yard punt. In 2002 Turk would play one season for the Jets, and then in 2003 returned to Miami to play two additional seasons for the Dolphins. He’d punt a career high 98 times in 2004. Out of work for 2005,  the Rams would play host to Matt in 2005 before he signed with the Houston Texans in 2007.

Unseating Chad Stanley (the Texans punter since the team’s inception,) Turk has punted for over 10,000 yards on a 42.2 yard average during his tenure and ranks second among active punters in yards. A big guy at 6’5″, 248, Matt is one of the larger punters in the league.

G 235      P  1100          Yds 46659          Avg    42.4       lg 77         Blk  3

12/3/2011- Turk would sign with the Jaguars but not win the punting job. He currently is a free agent contemplating retirement.

 

NFL

Johnson, Richard “911”

Card: Action Packed 1991
Acquired: In Person, Houston Oilers Training Camp 1992

After an All Big 10 and All American showing at Wisconsin, Richard Johnson was taken in the first round of the 1985 draft behind future teammate Ray Childress. To say that Richard Johnson’s career would get off to a slow start is an understatement.  He wouldn’t even make his first interception until the 1986 season, and soon would ride himself into head coach Jerry Glanville‘s doghouse. Johnson would cling to the roster- just because of his first round status riding behind Steve Brown and Patrick Allen in the secondary, making spot starts and 7 interceptions over 5 seasons.  Aptly nicknamed “911” for his ability to show up when the Oilers needed him, during the 1988 playoffs, Richard would make a critical interception against the Browns preserving the Oilers’ victory.

With Glanville out in 1990, and the team doing an overhaul, new head coach Jack Pardee decided to go with a different defensive philosophy in the secondary, and Richard, found a chance to redeem himself.  Starting all 16 games in 1990 across from Cris Dishman, Johnson would lead the AFC in interceptions with 8, more than doubling his total, before an ACL injury sidelined him in the playoffs.  In 1991, teams would throw away from Richard, afraid of his cover skills, and he wouldn’t make another interception, before his career ended during the 1992 season.

The game Tecmo Bowl rewarded Richard for his excellent 1990 performance, where he is considered one of the best defensive backs in the game. I’ve been debating sending this former Oiler a few more cards to sign, and may do so at a later date. Richard Johnson, defensive back, is not to be confused with Richard Johnson, wide receiver who played for the Houston Gamblers and Detroit Lions roughly during the same time period.

G/Gs 98/37     Tac n/a     Sac 1.0   Fum 1    
Int  15     Yds 106      Avg  7.0    Td 1     lg 35