Category Archives: WLAF

NFL, WLAF

Maslo, Stephan

Pro Set World League 1991, #62

CARD: Pro Set World League 1991
ACQUIRED: TTM 2020, C/o Home
SENT: 9/26 RECEIVED: 10/21 (25 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Former soccer player who found later glory as the top kicker in the German Football League from 1986-1990.
  • Saw action at training camps for the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos in 1989.
  • Operation Discovery selectee of the Frankfurt Galaxy in 1991.
  • Split kicking duties with Tom Whelihan.
  • Kicked 43 yard field goal in 27-17 win over the New York-New Jersey Knights.

NOTES:

At approximately 5,296 miles, Stephan Maslo becomes my longest distance TTM. I had been collaborating with a friend who I’d met through Sportscollectors.net on World League autographs, and he so happened to get this one and pass the address back to me. In about a month Stephan responded with a nice note, the signed card, and this piece of memorabilia.

College Football HoF, NFL, WLAF

Ruth, Mike

Wild Card World League 1992, #134 (5 Stripe)

Card: Wild Card World League 1992
Acquired: 2022, Paid Signing
Failure: TTM 2019, C/o Work

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Totaled 344 total tackles, 29 sacks and 7 forced fumbles over college career playing on interior of defensive line for Boston College.

  • Drafted in the second round of the 1986 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.

  • Appeared in 8 games between 86 and 87, primarily at NT, recording 1 sacks and 1 fumble recovery.

  • Played for the Barcelona Dragons in 1991-92, where he was reunited with his head coach from BC, Jack Bicknell.

ACCOLADES:

  • Outland Trophy Winner 1985

  • College Football Hall of Fame 2017

  • Boston College #68 Retired

NOTES:

I had tried Mike via either his High School or through Boston College with no success, so I decided to go ahead and do a paid signing for him that popped up. Yes- a rare signing with an obscure Outland Trophy Winner from Boston College. I’ll take it!

This card is an uncorrected error, as in the bio on the back it states that Mike was selected in the 6th round by the Houston Oilers. On a side note the photo is from World Bowl I, as evidenced by the patch on his shoulder.

Also this marks the first 5 stripe I’ve added to my collection of autographs. Wild Card was one of the first in the business to do parallels like this, and frankly they probably just should’ve done the whole sets with just 1s, 5s, 10s, 20s, and 50s and that’s it. The hologram is definitely a nice touch. I don’t know anyone who used the Wild Card program for these cards or could explain how it worked.

Arena, NFL, WLAF

Adams, Theo

Pro Set WLAF 1991, #69

CARD: Pro Set WLAF 1991
ACQUIRED: 2021, Gift
FAILURE: TTM 2015 & 2018, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Converted from tight end to offensive tackle while playing for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.
  • Saw playing time significantly increase during Senior campaign playing both ways at both OT and DE in ’88.
  • Joined the LA Rams in 1990, but was released before the season.
  • Second round selection of the London Monarchs of the WLAF in the 1991 positional draft.
  • Solid pass blocker, who helped Monarchs grade out as the best offensive line in the league.
  • After completing second tour in WLAF, joined Seattle Seahawks for the 1992 campaign, suiting up for 10 games.
  • In 1993, played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
  • Returned to World League in 1996, playing another season with the Frankfurt Galaxy.
  • Closed out career with the San Jose Sabrecats of the Arena League, playing both OL/DL in 1996 and 1997.

ACCOLADES:

  • 2nd Team All-World League 1991

NOTES:

I couldn’t understand why Theo Adams failed to respond to me on the two separate occasions I sent out to him in 2015 and 2018, but one of my friend who collects WLAF autographs, Corey, came through with extra autographs of this card, and kindly packaged this up and sent it to me. Unfortunately he’s dropped off of social media. I hope he’s doing well.