I mean huge get for me here. The Ultimate World League 1992 Official Spokesperson Jim Kelly autographed card is one of the 2 Holy Grails in this set. (The other being the Lawrence Taylor autographed card.) These autographed cards were one of the prizes given away for spelling W-O-R-L-D via the in pack game scratch off, and only 500 exist. I had seen this card from time to time on Ebay and kicked myself for not buying one a few years ago because it was priced at a premium to my budget. Since the COVID pandemic, a lot of things changed, and also since I haven’t been buying card boxes for a while, these sorts of splurges are a bit more affordable. Furthermore with Jim Kelly’s TTM signing fee being a stiff $50.00, I bought this one immediately when I saw it comparatively at a strong discount.
The front of the card is beautiful. It’s a very simple design that has grown on me over the years. The back of the card is much like the other Ultimate World League insert promos with the WIN $1,000,000 blurb and the contest information. The only major difference on the card being an NFL shield next to Ultimate Trading Card company’s address. -Again still no clue if anybody actually ever won the million bucks.
Cards: SkyBox Impact 1993, Topps Stadium Club 1993, Skybox Premium 1993-1994 Acquired: TTM 2021, C/o Home Sent: 8/14 Received: 9/2 (19 days) Failure: TTM 2014, C/o Home
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Leonard Harris was a speed merchant out of Texas Tech (1981-83), who played WR, KR and PR.
His best season for the Red Raiders came in 1983 when he posted 506 yards on 35 catches (2 TDs), 123 yards rushing on 13 carries, 346 yards and a TD on 26 punt returns, and 356 yards on 19 kick returns.
Territorial selection of the Denver Gold during the 1984 USFL draft.
Led the Gold in receiving both years of the franchise’s existence.
Posted a career high 1432 yards on 101 receptions and 8 TD as he moved to slotback in 1985.
Joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1986, catching 3 passes for 52 yards.
Following season was a free agent signee of the Houston Oilers, where he spent the next 7 seasons.
Finally emerged from the shadow of WR Drew Hill who left for Atlanta in 1992.
Caught 35 passes for 435 yards and 2 TDs in 7 starts, before the Oilers consummated their free agent poaching of WR Webster Slaughter off of the Cleveland Browns.
Played one final year in 1994 with the Falcons, reunited with Drew Hill and head coach Jerry Glanville.
NFL
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
105
1428
13.6
8
47
KR
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
59
1240
21.0
0
63
USFL
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
136
2089
15.4
12
66
KR
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
47
1172
24.9
0
74
Skybox Impact 1993, #127 Topps Stadium Club 1993, #431
NOTES: I had been wanting to get Leonard for sometime, because I was always under the impression that he had no cards growing up. I went ahead and sent these same cards out in 2014- but got no response. It wasn’t until 2021 that I started seeing some responses from him and decided to try him again on these cards.
I always thought he got a bad rap after the departure of Drew Hill- and not enough time to become his heir apparent in Houston. I feel much more mixed now about getting his autograph now that the players from the Oilers franchise have abandoned the city of Houston in favor of their faux history from Tennessee.
Cards: Topps Stadium Club 1992, Fleer 1990, ProSet 1991 Acquired: TTM 2021, C/o Home Sent: 8/2 Received: 8/9 (7 days) Failure: TTM 2014, C/o Home x2
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
After playing offensive line at Tulane where he was a 3 year starter, Don Maggs was selected by the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL in 1984.
Spent 1985 with the New Jersey Generals.
Selected in the USFL Supplemental Draft by the Houston Oilers in the second round.
Provided versatile depth for the Oilers already stacked offensive line.
Blew out anterior cruciate ligament during training camp in 1987 and saw no action that year.
In fact, only started 3 games over 3 seasons with the Oilers before taking over fulltime at left tackle in 1990.
Was the Denver Broncos first official unrestricted free agent signing in 1993.
Played final two seasons (93/94) with the Denver Broncos.
Started 110 games over career.
Fleer Update 1990, #U-35 Pro Set 1991, #520
NOTES:
I had tried previously to get Don’s autograph but had failed twice. The first time was an RTS with his new address, so I packed everything up and resent. Everyone else got their stuff back but me. After waiting a few years and reloading I decided to give him another shot and got him on these great cards.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
