Category Archives: usfl

AFL, College Football HoF, NFL, usfl

Hadl, John (1940-2022)

Topps 1970, #73
Upper Deck Legends 1997, #112

CARDS: Topps 1970, Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: TTM 2019, C/o Home
SENT: 2/9 RECEIVED: 2/25 (16 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • John Hadl was a local hero to Lawrenceville, Kansas, and he stayed close to home playing offense and defense for the Kansas Jayhawks from 1959-61.
  • He played multiple positions for the Jayhawks: HB, QB, P, and DB.
  • He set multiple records at the school and was elected as an NCAA All-American at both HB (’60) and QB (’61).
  • Hadl was selected by both the Lions of the NFL and the Chargers of the rival AFL in 1962.
  • John opted to play for the Chargers, and although he contributed to the franchise’s AFL Championship run, he was relegated primarily to splitting time or backing up Tobin Rote.
  • Took over the reins of the starting QB job in 1965 and led the AFL in passing yards (2798) and yards per attempt (8.0) while posting a 9-2 record.
  • In 1968, he led the league in a host of categories: Attempts (44), completions (208), yards (3473), TDs (27) and unfortunately interceptions- 32.
  • 1971 saw another solid output for Hadl as he led the league in attempts (431), completions (233), yards (3075), and TDs (21).
  • After his swan song in 1972 when John led the NFL in interceptions (26) a second time, he’d be traded to the Rams in 1973.
  • Hadl had an outstanding season with the Rams leading the team to a 12-2 record as a starter, leading the team to the playoffs.
  • He threw 22 TDs on just 135 attempts, and his receivers went for 14.9 yards after the completion.
  • After 5 contests in 1974, Hadl was traded again- this time to the Packers.
  • The trade itself is considered one of the worst in NFL history, as the Pack gave up 5 picks to get him, including first and second round picks for the next two seasons.
  • Hadl struggled with the Packers mightily posting a 7-12 record over the next season and a half, throwing 15 TDs to 35 interceptions, while be sacked mercilessly 44 times.
  • In 1976 John joined the Houston Oilers, where he saw mop up duty behind starting QB Dan Pastorini.
  • Retiring after the 1977 season, John wanted to stay close to the sport.
  • He worked at his Alma Mater, Kansas from 1978-81 as a QB coach and as offensive coordinator, but was run out of town basically by the NCAA as they felt he was giving ‘improper benefits’ to potential recruits.
  • John then moved to the Rams in ’82 as an offensive assistant, before tutoring future NFL HOF QB John Elway in 1983 with the Broncos.
  • At his final stop he coached for the Express from 1984-85, posting a 13-23 record.

ACCOLADES:

  • College Football Hall of Fame
  • Pro Bowl 1972-73
  • All-Pro 1973
  • AFL All-Star 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969
  • Chargers Hall of Fame

NOTES:

I don’t know why it took me so long to get around to writing John’s bio, but it could’ve been for two reasons. First, John has a laundry list of accomplishments and accolades. One could even argue that he’s HOF worthy based on his AFL contributions. Second, it was rumored that in his final years, John was really struggling, and that perhaps his autograph was ghost signed. I did kick in 20 bucks to grease the wheels, so the hope is he actually signed these, but they look really.. fluid and not like a struggling octogenarian signed it.

John quickly became a set need based on a variety of factors that did come into play, but most importantly I loved his Topps and Upper Deck entries.

EPITAPH:

On November 30, 2022, John Hadl passed away at the age of 82. No cause of death was given.

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468723633350350.424426867.4
usfl, WLAF

Corso, Lee

CARD: Pro Set 1991 World League Helmet Insert
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home
SENT: 11/12 RECEIVED: 11/22 (10 days)
FAILURE: TTM 2021, C/o ESPN

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Lee Corso was a great athlete and after high school was immediately identified by the Brookyn Dodgers as a baseball prospect to play short stop.
  • Opted to go to college instead at Florida State, where he played both defensive back and quarterback in college from 1953-1957.
  • Possessing great speed and anticipation, Corso set the school’s career interception record at the time with 14.
  • Although he had a successful college career, he was not selected in the NFL draft.
  • Went into coaching at the college ranks almost immediately, spending time at Maryland (1959-65) and Navy (1966-68) as a positional coach.
  • From there in 1969 Corso served as head coach of Louisville through 1972.
  • He’s perhaps most iconically known as head coach of Indiana, a role he served in from 1973-82.
  • Led the Hoosiers to two winning seasons, including an upset victory over the Brigham Young Cougars in the Holiday Bowl.
  • Finished 41-68-2 at Indiana.
  • Spent one year at Northern Illinois University going 4-6-1.
  • College coaching record is 73-85-6.
  • Head coach of the USFL Orlando Renegades in 1985, where he went 5-13.
  • Lee then joined the WLAF where he served as general manager of the Orlando Thunder for the 1991 season.
  • He was very excited to be a part of the venture, but due to ongoing commitments to ESPN, probably couldn’t return to the squad for their 1992 campaign.
  • Has been an analyst since 1987 for ESPN.

NOTES:

Lee Corso to me, is like the Dick Vitale of college football. He’s beloved by all and everybody loves his quips and antics. I tried him first via ESPN, but after that latest (and multiple other) failure(s), I think the door on TTM through the network is now closed. He has very few cards. I think he had a Press Pass Legends or something like that. -I think I flushed that on the first attempt that failed.

AAF, Arena, CFL, IFL, NFL, The Spring League, usfl, XFL

Truesdell, Nick

CARD: Topps XFL 2020
ACQUIRED: Ebay, 2021

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played TE for the University of Cincinnati and Grand Rapids Community College.
  • Went undrafted in 2013.
  • Played Arena ball with the Colorado Ice and Bemidji Axemen of the IFL in 2014.
  • Spent the next 3 seasons playing with the Shock (2014-15) and Steel (2016).
  • After not catching on with the Colts in 2016, Rattlers (2017), Stampeders and Gladiators (2018), made the practice squad of the Vikings in 2018.
  • Signed with the AAF Salt Lake City Stallions in late 2018 and had a solid season for the team, hauling in 24 passes for 269 yards and 3 TDs.
  • Joined Jets, and later the Vipers during 2019 playing in the XFL’s 2020 campaign.
  • Spent time in The Spring League with the Aviators in late 2020.
  • Selected by the New Jersey Generals of the New USFL in 2022, but was released before the season due to a groin injury.

ARENA

RECYDSAVGTDLG
127152712.038N/a

AAF

RECYDSAVGTDLG
2426911.2339

XFL

RECYDSAVGTDLG
99110.1027