CFL, College Football HoF

Frazier, Tommie

pp96 frazierCard: PressPass 1996
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent:  12/5    Received: 1/13   (39 days)

Tommie Frazier is easily the greatest college football player never to play in the NFL. A human highlight film during his time playing for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Frazier had the build, numbers, and athleticism, to take his game to the next level, but a life threatening condition- namely Chron’s Disease, stopped him in his tracks.

Tommie joined the Nebraska Cornhusker program in 1992.  He cemented himself as the starter quickly over that season and did not look back.  Frazier threw 10 TDs and 1 pick that Freshman season, while rushing for 399 and 67TDs on 86 carries. The following year he’d run for a career high 704 yards and 9 TDs on 126 attempts.  An injury plagued 1994, pretty much wrecked his year, before a solid Senior campaign with 17 TDs to 4 INT. Tommie also had 604 yards on the ground and a career high 14 TDs rushing.  For his efforts he was voted a consensus All-American and finished 2nd in Heisman voting.

Tommie finished his career at Nebraska with a 49-4 record. He won numerous honors and MVP awards over his time there. Frazier’s signature moment was the 1995 Fiesta Bowl, when the Huskers crushed Florida 62-24. I remember my flash bulb memory went off as I was standing in the middle of Target, watching the big game. I had the pleasure of watching him run for a 75 yard TD as he broke 5-6 tackles. It was one of the most amazing plays I had ever seen.

Tommie was not drafted to the NFL due to health concerns. He signed with the Montreal Alouettes, and saw action in one game in 1996.  He retired from professional football shortly thereafter.

Frazier remains close to the sport. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012. He also has done some coaching, both as a positional coach (Baylor) and as a head coach at Doane College in Nebraska.  Tommie held numerous records at his departure from Nebraska, and won 2 National Championships. His number has also been retired by the college.

About a year or two ago a lively debate about the greatest player never to play pro ball came up. At the time I brought up Charlie Ward, who was visting in town. Later though I remembered Tommie Frazier’s heroics on the gridiron for Nebraska, and threw my weight behind that statement on Twitter. I was really surprised to see that Frazier liked and agreed with my comment. After a bit of searching, I was able to find an address for him and he signed this old card of mine in a bit over 30 days.

Arena

Wilson, Jomo

TNTAFL11 JWilsonCard: TNT AFL 2011, TNT AFL 2014
Acquired: Acquired: In person, 3/1/14  Talons Season Ticket Party, 2014 Talons versus Sharks.

At Eastern Oregon, Jomo Wilson caught 61 passes for 869 yards and 8 TDs in 19 games. After graduating Jomo played in the AFL2 for the Central California Coyotes in 2007 and the Idaho Burn in 2009. An offseason workout partner of Aaron Garcia, Garcia lobbied hard to get Wilson a tryout with the Sharks after Jomo was cut by the Rush. It paid off, as not only would Jomo become a member of the squad, he’d go on to record 81 catches for 964 yards and 19 touchdowns along with 60 kick returns for 862 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2010.  In 2011, he’d have his best year to date with 131 receptions for 1,737 yards and 44 touchdowns.

tnttal14 wilsonJomo signed with the San Antonio Talons  where he continued to step it up as a  #1 receiver/ returner for the team.  In 2012, he had 83 receptions, 1,284 yards, and 36 TDs and 26 kick returns for 537 yards and 3 touchdowns. In 2013 Wilson followed up his first season with 1,206 yards on 98 catches and another 24 touchdowns.

Jomo was the last of the Talons I was looking for at the season ticket holders party. He snuck behind the ground that I was talking to in the back before I finally cornered him to sign his card. He liked the look of the Sharks card but was hoping it was a Talons one instead. Still even though I wasn’t able to get Rohan Davey (rehabbing) or ‘Tank’ Cook (taking a season off for fatherhood)  like I had hoped, it was nice to get all the receivers I wanted.

Ironically during the 2014 season, Jomo found himself traded back to the Jacksonville Sharks by the San Antonio Talons for ‘future considerations’.  He signed this card before the game against the Talons. Having our seats upgraded to near the front row, I was in Wilson’s ear hole all day, but he still burned the Talons’ secondary for 2 or 3 TDs. I think once or twice during the game he winked at me before he scored.

 

NFL

Gettis, David

epix10 gettisCard: Epix 2010
Acquired: 2014 Box Breaker, Target Autographed Memorabilia

David Gettis is an experienced return man with great size (6’3″) and good speed(4.39). Projected to go as late as the 7th round, he finished his career at Baylor with 116 receptions for 1555 yards and 4 touchdowns to go along with 41 kick returns for 932 yards and a TD.

Gettis was picked by the Carolina Panthers in the 5th round of the 2010 NFL draft. The Panthers were looking to give the offense a complete overhaul and dipped unabashedly into the wide receiver pool  drafting Brandon LaFell (2nd) and Armanti Edwards (3rd) as well. As Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen fought it out to be the starting quarterback, Gettis battled LaFell in the slot. Gettis won out and started 13 games recording 37 catches for 508 yards and 3 TDs. He’d also haul in an 88 yard bomb against the Baltimore Ravens. David would be injured in practice in 2011 and missed the entire season with a torn ACL. While he did return in 2012, the Panthers were now stacked at receiver and reached an injury settlement with Gettis in August of 2013. The Redskins signed David in early January of 2014, but he’d be cut in May. Later he’d be picked up by the Bucs, and cut again. Currently he is a free agent.

Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.