Category Archives: NFL

CFL, NFL, WLAF, XFL

Kiselak, Mike

Card: Ultimate WLAF 1992, Athletes in Action Card
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Work
Sent: 2/14   Received: 4/16 (61 days)

After tryouts with the Giants, Chiefs, and Oilers in 1990, Mike Kiselak, was drafted by the San Antonio Riders in 1991 (4th round) and played both guard and center for the team starting all 10 games blocking for All World League runningback Ricky Blake. At 6’3″, 295, he was the ideal combination of size and power for the Mike Riley‘s run oriented offense. In 1992, Kiselak would return to the Riders for a second year with the team and block for the Riders once again potent rushing attack under Ivory Lee Brown. San Antonio would dominate opponents on the ground and finish with a 7-3 record, but the WLAF would reorganize after the 1992 season.

Mike would be signed by the Sacramento Gold Miners of the CFL and play with them through their transition back to San Antonio to become the Texans in 1995 where he would be a CFL All Star at Center for the team. After the CFL reorganized following the season, Mike was drafted by the Roughriders in the dispersal draft in 1996, but was traded almost immediately in exchange for John Terry, to the Toronto Argonauts. Kiselak would continue to leave his mark, winning multiple offensive lineman awards and being named the CFL’s Outstanding Lineman in 1996 and 1997.

Mike returned to the NFL in 1998 and play for the Dallas Cowboys, playing in 15 games and starting 7.  He’d retire briefly but return to start for the San Fransisco Demons of the XFL in 2001 before finally finishing his career.

Since retirement Kiselak has become a church minister, a motivational speaker and is on the board of Kids Matters International. I emailed Mike to ask his permission to send this Ultimate 1991 card and while I did wait about 60 days for a response, he he was more than happy to sign the card for me. He also added in one to boot, and inscribed it with the passage from Matt 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

NFL

Williams, Brent

Cards: Action Packed 1990, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: TTM 1991, 1992, Patriots Blitz

Defensive lineman Brent Williams was drafted in the 7th round of the 1986 draft by the New England Patriots out of the University of Toldeo. He’d be a nice budget buy for the Patsies, playing 8 seasons for them primarily in the team’s 3-4 alignment at defensive end and some spot time at nose. His rookie season would be a strong one, making 7 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries and 73 tackles.  He’d continue to make an impact for the team along the line, making a career high 8 sacks in both 1988 and 1989. Williams would play for the Patriots through 1993 as he’d see a heavy role as a back up in his final season. Brent would sign with the Seahawks in 1994, playing with them through the 1995 season making 38 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 fumbles.  In 1996 Williams would play with the Jets in a backup capacity suiting up for 5 games and retired at the conclusion of the season.

Since football Brent Williams has applied his degree in business administration going into the financial arena, working as a Financial Advisor with a good portion of his clients being former NFL players. He’s spent time working in Pop Warner football and girl’s basketball, and cheers the Patriots on to this day.

G/Gp  147/120       Tac  472       Sac 45.5      Fum  12     Int 0      Yds 0    Avg -.-    Td  0   Lg -.-

 

NFL

Offerdahl, John

Cards: ProSet 1989, ProSet 1990 PB, ProSet 1991 AP, TheGoal.com
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 4/2   Received 4/12  (10 days)

John Offerdahl was a legendary Tecmo Bowl player on the Nintendo. The Dolphins could light up the sky with Dan Marino but outside of Offerdahl, the team had a very weak defense. The other problem was, most offenses were set up to have run plays that never allowed John to get free, thus you had to break through the blockers on run plays to get to the runningback.

A tackling machine at Western Michigan University, John Offerdahl would be selected in the second round (57th pick) of the 1986 draft by Don Shula‘s Dolphins. He’d step right into the starting lineup for the team, starting 15 games, 2 sacks and a pick, and a bazillion tackles. He’d be a lock for the ProBowl over the next 5 seasons recognized across the league for his solid tackling, nose for the ball, and flexibility to play all 4 positions at linebacker in the 3-4.  His 1990 would culminate in being named All Pro after the season, however injuries over the next 3 seasons would limit his mobility and by 1994, he would retire. It’s probably not going to happen for John and the Hall of Fame even if he hadn’t had such an injury plagued finale- strictly because he was a tackling machine. As efficient as he was, tackles are such an unglamorous statistic, and with a long line of defensive talent and sack masters waiting- I doubt John will ever receive his due.

John since retirement is quite a businessman and cook, owning a series of cafe’s (Offerdahl’s Cafe & Grill) and while selling his bagel franchises. He’s also quite a popular personality on the ‘grilling circuit’ as well going by “The Gridiron Griller!” (www.gridirongriller.com)  It probably is only a matter of time before he shows up on Food Network.

I sent John a few cards to sign along with some others to have. (-At this point in my life, it’s a good way to get rid of those cards and duplicates and my girlfriend is thankful for it.)  Well, the rumors are true, and John is a generous signer as I got this one back in the mail in about 10 days flat. He signed 3 and included a card from TheGoal.com as well. It included on the back a religious scripture from Ephesians 1:18:

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.”

G/Gs  89/86     Tac  N/a    Sac 9.5     Fum  1     Int 4    Yds 44    Avg 11.o  Td 0  Lg  28