I had been looking to get Rod Bernstine for some time. One of the ‘big backs’ of the late 1980s and early 90s, Rod certainly punished would be tacklers with his aggressive running style. Drafted by the San Diego Chargers out of Texas A&M in 1987, Rod battled fellow bang back Marion Butts for the starting role throughout much of his time in San Diego. An accomplished receiver as well, the Chargers couldn’t really settle on Rod’s role early in his career there, as he went back and forth from runningback to tight end officially on the roster. The classification of ‘H-back’ makes sense, but Rod ran with the ball too much to be considered one. Eventually by 1990 the team had settled on him at runningback, and Bernstine responded with 589 yards and 4 touchdowns in 124 carries. Starting 8 games in 1991, Rod had 766 yards and 8 touchdowns for the Chargers. He’d play one more season with the team, before leaping over to Denver for the 1993 season.
Rod started 14 games that year, en route to rushing for 816 yards and 4 touchdowns. He’d also record a career high 44 receptions for 372 yards. He’d retire after the 1995 campaign after two back to back brutally injured seasons. I loved playing Rod on Tecmo. I dominated with him and won a comeback Hail Mary game against Josh by just utilizing Rod as a one man offense for Denver 17-10. Rod does not sign often, but signed one of two cards for me via the mail.
Card: SP 2012
Acquired: In person 2/24/2014, Rudy’s Ribfest 4
See Also: Fozzy Whittaker
I had gotten Fozzy at Fan Fest in Houston the previous year in 2013. He is really good with fans and at this event he was no different. After a bit of time on the practice squads of both the Cardinals and Chargers, he signed with the Browns where he remained the rest of the year.
A change in winds for the Browns led to questions about the roster from top to bottom. With Pat Shurmur sacked after 2012, and then Chudzinski in 2013, the Browns were looking in a new direction with former Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. In the meantime Fozzy recorded his first 2 NFL touchdowns as a change of pace receiver out of the backfield, including a career long 35 yard scamper.
When I asked Fozzy about what was going to happen to the team or the offensive set, he told me that he was just as in the dark as I was- but he was super excited for the future. Unfortunately he’d be one of the final cuts in 2014, but quickly found a home with the Carolina Panthers where as of midway through 2014 he remains.
Card: TNT AFL 2014
Acquired: In Person, 5/3/2014 Talons vs. Barnstormers.
I was really happy with how this card design turned out. I used a posterization effect to go along with the expanded cut out. It looks great for this card and balances out the busyness of the background. DJ was one of the many players that I contacted through Twitter with their card design before attending the Talons game about a month later. Some fans were so excited about them that they asked me how they could get a copy of the card and were stunned I had done them myself. It’s a real high compliment to have fans of your work, but it doesn’t pay the bills.
Through the 2014 season, DJ played his entire career for the Talons. He joined the franchise in 2012 and has seen an increasing presence on the team at receiver. Graduating from Arkansas-Monticello Stephens had 689 yards and 9 touchdowns on 68 receptions in 2011. A dangerous kick returner, Stephens had 4 scores in 30 kicks in 2013, to go along with 55 catches for 738 yards and 13 TDs.
2014 was DJ’s coming of age in the AFL. He set team records with 11 receptions in the team’s opener against the LA KISS. The team liked the combo of DJ and PJ so much they went ahead and traded Jomo back to Jacksonville. Stephens earned the J. Lewis Small Player of the Week award from the league after setting franchise records with 229 yards in the Talons loss to the Iowa Barnstormers and led the league in all-purpose yardage (1,007) after week 5. Stephens season came to a frustrating end as injury held him out of the final 5 contests.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
Card: Action Packed 1992
