CARD: Wild Card World League 1992 ACQUIRED: EBay, 2023 FAILURE: TTM 2010, 2011, 2020, C/o The Chiefs
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Willie Davis caught 63 passes for 1292 yards over his college career for Central Arkansas.
He holds the school all-time record for longest reception with a 99 yard TD.
He’d go undrafted in 1990, but be signed to the Chiefs practice squad.
Willie was allocated to the Orlando Thunder of the World League in 1992 by the team to give the young receiver more seasoning.
With future NFL veteran Scott Mitchell at QB, Davis caught 20 passes and a 51 yard TD in his first professional action.
The Chiefs, impressed by what they saw opted to give Willie some playtime in their offense.
Willie became one of the World League’s success stories, catching 36 passes for 756 yards later that year.
His best season perhaps came the following year when he caught 52 passes for 909 yards and 7 TDs.
He played for the Chiefs through 1995.
With Houston Oilers WR Haywood Jeffires demanding more money to stay with the team, the franchise opted to go in another direction and signed Willie Davis to essentially replace him.
Willie played with the Oilers from 1996-98, transitioning with the franchise to Tennessee in 1997.
Willie returned to the Chiefs after a few years away from the sport and joined the team’s front office, where he serves as the team’s front office scout of the southwest.
ACCOLADES:
Central Arkansas Hall of Fame (2001)
NOTES:
I finally gave up on trying to get Willie through the mail after 3 attempts through the Chiefs over the last 12 years. He signed sporadically for others and just didn’t respond to me. Whether or not it was an intentional snub or not or just the fact he may not want to sign his true rookie card, I am not sure. -So I just decided to haggle with an EBay seller who had some World League autographs that looked legitimate enough to me to close the deal.
Ultimate 1992, #89Ultimate 1992, #76Wild Card World League 1992, #5
CARDS: Wild Card World League 1992, Ultimate WL 1992 ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 7/29 RECEIVED: 8/12 (14 days) FAILURE: TTM 2015, C/o Work
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Emanuel King played college football at the University of Alabama from 1981-84.
A tweener ahead of his time, Emanuel could play DE or OLB, garnering 53 tackles and 5 sacks in his senior season for the Crimson Tide.
A first round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in ’85, and also a first round pick of the Birmingham Stallions of the rival USFL.
He opted to play for the Bengals, and in ’86 led the team with 9 sacks.
In 1987, King started 12 games and had 4 sacks.
Shortly before the 1988 season, he was suspended and replaced in the lineup by Leon White.
In 1989, King signed with the Raiders, dressing for 3 contests.
After some time away from the sport, Emanuel resurfaced with the World League in 1992, playing right defensive end for the Montreal Machine.
On the season he’d rack up 4.5 sacks in the Machine’s 3-4 alignment.
With the WL going on hiatus after the 92 season, King joined the Sacramento Gold Miners of the CFLUSA invasion.
He’d finish his career with Sacramento, playing in 5 contests, posting 4 tackles and 2 sacks.
Returned to Alabama and went into high school coaching.
NOTES:
I had lucked out on Emanuel back in 2015, but I swear I had tried more than one time. I guess it was good that I waited because not only did I need him on his Wild Card and Ultimate card- he appears on the back of the Montreal Machine’s team card for the Ultimate set as well. (They used the photo from the back of his Ultimate 1992 base card for the team stats card.) I didn’t see it until right before I sent it out. I didn’t mind that he signed the back of that card, but when I also got his Wild Card back signed on the back I just… ugh. Oh well! Nice to get him though!
Casey Weldon played QB at Florida State from 1988-91.
Came into his own as a starter in his Senior season, throwing for 2527 yards and 22 TDs on 189 completions (313 attempts).
In 1992, was a 4th round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Played for the Bucs from 1993-96.
Saw limited playing time over those years, most extensively in 1995, completing 42 of 91 passes for 519 yards and a TD.
Played for the Barcelona Dragons that same year, throwing for 543 yards and 3 TDs on 41 of 91 passes.
Threw a memorable 70 yard TD pass to fellow Buccaneer Tyree Davis against the Monarchs.
Was on the roster of the Chargers (’97), and Redskins (’98-’00) but didn’t see any playtime.
Joined the XFL 2001 as a member of the Birmingham Thunderbolts.
Had best season as a pro throwing for 1228 yards and 7 TDs on 102 completions (164 attempts), but injuries ended his season and his carer.
Has gone into coaching since retirement.
ACCOLADES:
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award 1992
1992 Classic, #31
NOTES:
I failed on getting Casey back in 2019. I think I flushed a Loaded Cannon card, but that’s okay. After doing some research I tracked down a good address for him and shot these two cards out earlier in 2022. I was a bit disappointed when someone else who sent to him later than me stole my thunder and got him back first, but the TTM gods granted me their favor and finally I got Casey in the mail. The Classic is a bit smeared but no big deal. It was the Topps XFL 2001 that I was truly after.
NFL
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
LG
120
60
713
50.0
1
4
57.4
42
WLAF
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
LG
91
41
543
45.1
3
9
35.9
69t
XFL
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
LG
164
102
1228
62.2
7
5
86.6
80t
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
