Category Archives: WLAF

Arena, CFL, NFL, WLAF

Burse, Tony

Wild Card World League 1992, #46

CARD: Wild Card World League 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
SENT: 5/10 RECEIVED: 5/20 (10 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Fullback who played at Middle Tennessee State from 1983-86.
  • Led the way for the Blue Raiders’ rushing attack, paving the way for 3 1,000 yard rushers.
  • Led the team in receptions with 27 for 266 yards in 1985.
  • Was selected in the 12th round of the NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks in 1987.
  • Made the squad and saw time on special teams and sparingly on offense.
  • Was on and off the rosters of the Seahawks and Dolphins through the end of 1989.
  • Joined the WLAF in 1991 with the Sacramento Surge.
  • Paved the way in 1992 for Mike Pringle at RB, while catching 22 passes.
  • Played for the Arena Football League in 1993 and 94 (Detroit Drive/Massachusetts Marauders.
  • Then joined the CFL Sacramento Gold Miners during the 94 season.
  • When the franchise moved to San Antonio and became the Texans- Tony came along too.
  • Rushed for 304 yards (60 carries) and caught 30 passes for 291 yards.
  • Played the next three seasons for the Edmonton Eskimos.
  • Had a career high 59 yard gallop in 95, and a career high 11 rushing TDs in 96.
  • Split time the next three years, literally playing football fulltime between the Arena Football League and the CFL.
  • Joined the Arena Buffalo Destroyers franchise in the Spring of ’99, while playing for the Toronto Argonauts in the Fall.
  • Had a career high 431 yards rushing for the Argos that year.
  • Retired after the 2001 season.

NOTES:

Tony had a long and illustrious tapestry of different football leagues woven into the fabric of his career. I had been looking for him for a very long time but after retracing my steps I was finally able to locate him and add him on his Wild Card ’92 entry.

NFL

RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
7365.1016

WLAF

RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
471372.9017
RECYDSAVGTDLG
352878.2034

CFL

RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
34414434.22959
RECYDSAVGTDLG
114113810.0352

ARENA

RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
1233472.820N/a
RECYDSAVGTDLG
89812.21N/a
NFL, Pro Football HoF, usfl, WLAF

Kelly, Jim (2)

Ultimate World League 1992 Official Spokesperson

CARD: Ultimate World League 1992 Promo
ACQUIRED: Ebay, 2022

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

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.

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Morris, Lee

Utimate World League 1992 Promo

CARDS: Ultimate World League 1992, Ultimate World League 1992 Defense, Ultimate World League 1992 Promo
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home
SENT: 12/14/21 RECEIVED: 1/3/22 (20 days)
FAILURE: TTM C/o Home, 2014, 2016, 2019

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Walked on to the Oklahoma Sooners football team in 1985.
  • Fairytale story continued as he contributed to the Sooners National Football championship that year, catching 5 passes for 96 yards and 2 TDs.
  • Went undrafted in 1987, but thanks to the NFL Players Strike, saw significant playing time starting 3 games for the Green Bay Packers.
  • Contributed career best 6 catches for 132 yards and a TD in win over Eagles during Week 3.
  • Among final tough cuts during 1988 training camp.
  • Joined CFL Toronto Argos late in season.
  • Had 5 catches for 86 yards and TD against Winnipeg a few weeks later.
  • Played following season for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
  • Selected by the San Antonio Riders in the 8th round of the WLAF 1991 positional draft.
  • Emerged as San Antonio’s most reliable receiver in 1991, contributing 23 catches for 409 yards and 2 TDs- including a franchise long 73 yard TD grab.
  • Returned for 1992 season but suffered season ending injury after catching 9 passes for 174 yards.
Ultimate 1992, Defensive Overview #191

NOTES:

I had been hunting for Lee Morris for quite some time- striking out at 3 different addresses over the years. From time to time I like to look at EBay. It’s a backdoor way to see who is signing TTM sometimes, and this one paid off. I found a listing on the site for Lee’s autograph on his Ultimate base card. Then I cross referenced the information I had on him and realized he signed from a previous address I had tried him at a few years ago. It made me quite ecstatic when I got these back. These cards are technically the first responses of 2022.

These are some great action shots of Lee. I remember leaving a game or two, and seeing kids chase Lee for his autograph on his Ultimate promo card that were inserted into the Gametime magazines. (I was quite jealous as I couldn’t find one.) He seemed quite happy that he had a card.

Later the base card appeared in all its glory. I love this shot of him jumping up in the air to make a grab, however it showcases the Riders and the league’s lackluster attendance woes.

I tossed in the Defensive Overview card as well, and since it had a receiver in the picture, it made sense to have Lee sign it. Oddly the back image has Surge helmets on it, but I’d assume it’s not an error card as the set itself is meant to introduce fans to football.

Ultimate WLAF 1992, #156

NFL

RECYDSAVGTDLG
1625916.1146t

CFL

RECYDSAVGTDLG
2434814.5155

WLAF

RECYDSAVGTDLG
3258318.2373t