NFL, WLAF

Parker, Anthony

Cards: Proset 1991, Proset 1991 WLAF ll, Proset WLAF 1991, Proset WLAF ll, Ultimate 1992 ll, Ultimate 1992
Acquired: TTM C/o Home
Sent:  9/21   Received: 12/5   (81 days)

Anthony Parker was a quick defensive back at Arizona State with impressive speed and among college’s best return men when an injury sidelined him before his senior season. After leaving Arizona State, Parker would be signed by the Colts suiting up for 1 contest notching a tackle in 1989.

Sitting out a year after not making the Jets roster in 1990, Parker was then drafted in the first round of the WLAF player allocation draft in 1991 by the New York- New Jersey Knights where he would make his mark. Parker in 10 games for the Knights made an incredible 11 interceptions for 270 yards and 2 touchdowns. His league leading numbers would help the team make the playoffs in their inaugural season. Anthony would be the only player named unanimously to the All-World Team and was considered the #1 prospect from the WLAF. He would also tie for the league honor of defensive MVP.

Returning back to the NFL, Parker would sign with the Chicago Bears ultimately finishing out with the Kansas City Chiefs suiting up for 2 games. In 1992 Anthony would finally get the shot starting two games for the Vikings- making 3 interceptions. He’d stay there through 1994 before signing with the St. Louis Rams, starting 16 games that season and 14 in the following year in 1996. Parker would also see some time as a punt returner. Anthony would finish out his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1998 posting 4 career interception returns for touchdowns. He finished his NFL career starting 69 games with 15 interceptions for 251 yards and 4 touchdowns and a long of 94 yards- really helping to justify to me one of the major reasons why the WLAF existed.  Below are his statistics from the 1991 WLAF season.

G/Gs 10/10    Tac  43    Sac 0   Fum    Int 11     Yds 270    Avg 24.5    Td 2     Lg 46t

NFL

Harrison, Nolan

Card: GameDay 1992
Acquired: In Person, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp 1993

Indiana University is not really known as a hotbed of football talent- but the Raiders took a chance on Nolan Harrison in the 6th round of the 1991 draft as a possible replacement for star defensive end Howie Long or Greg Townsend. In the meantime the Raiders would utilize him also at defensive tackle, until 1994 when he’d get a career high 5 sacks at left defensive end. Nolan would sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1997, and play there through 1999 making 7.5 sacks and then close out his career with the Washington Redskins in 2000. As a player, Nolan’s strength would be his high motor and flexibility along the defensive line providing invaluable depth for 10 seasons.

Since retiring Harrison has remained extremely active in NFLPA activities, serving on a variety of boards, financial management, and being a motivational speaker. In 2010, Nolan was named Senior Director of Former Player Affairs and he and former Raider Dave Pear have also squared off on disability and retirement benefits over the last few months.

On top of the possible 2011 NFL strike, there’s actually another party involved in the labor dispute that must not be ignored- those retired players that paved the way for the rest of the league’s success. Many former players who did not live on the ballooned million dollar contracts and on a pittance of severance sacrificed their bodies for our entertainment and now their pain and problems are largely ignored by the league. While Nolan has made some contact with Dave Pear- it remains to be seen whether or not our former greats are treated with the respect they deserve.  You can follow Nolan on twitter at: http://twitter.com/NolanHarrison74.

G/Gs  128/83      Tac 199      Sac 22.0     Fum 5      Int 0     Yds 0     Avg  -.-      Td 0      Lg 0

NFL

Cornish IV, Frank (1968-2008)

Card: ProSet 1990
Acquired: In Person 1992, Dallas Cowboys training camp

Following an outstanding career at UCLA, the Chargers in the 1990 draft took Frank Cornish in the 6th round. A well rounded blocker and great locker room presence, Cornish would play with the Chargers through the 1991 season, before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 1992. I had literally heard he was traded and remembered that I had a card of him and just stuffed it into my assortment. From what I remember he was there the next day. Cornish would then block for Cowboys runningback Emmitt Smith over the next season or two providing valuable depth for two seasons earning rings in SuperBowl XXVII and XXVIII. Frank would then head over to the Minnesota Vikings for 7 games after being relased in 1994 and then would then sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars during their innaugural season and play in 3 games in 1995, -finally finishing with the Eagles in 2 final games in 1996 before retiring. He’d appear in a grand total of 69 regular season games.

In his post NFL career Cornish had become a stockbroker working for Wachovia Securities in Southlake, Tx and was involved in numerous charities. Frank had some financial issues after his playing career ended, but still managed to persevere through it all.  Sadly and suddenly on August 22 of 2008, Frank passed away in his sleep of heart disease at the age of 40. He is survived by his wife and 5 children and the city dedicated a park to his honor at Town Square.

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