CFL

Laird, Stu

Card: Jogo 1992
Acquired: TTM 1993, CFL Blitz

The current head of the CFL Players Association, Stu Laird was a stalwart defensive tackle for the Calgary Stampeders from 1984-1996. A free agent signee originally Laird would be on both the Roughriders and Alouettes before he landed on the roster of the Stamps. Stu’s career really took off in 1986 where he notched 9 sacks. In 1988 Laird had a career high 11 sacks for the team before an injury riddled 1989. Cut in 1990, he’d recover to form, be resigned, and by 1994 would have another 9 sack season. A strong pass rushing force inside, Stu earned West-All Star honors for his performance in 1994. He’d continue playing through 1996 before retiring. His number has also since been retired as well. Stu has spent time as a fire fighter in the off season.  In 2001 he was named president of the Canadian Football League Players Association and has served in that capacity through 2010 where just recently he was able to negotiate a new 4 year CBA.

When I sent out to the CFL, I sent out a bunch of All World cards. Unable to completely process my request, the league offices sent me a lot of the cards back with signatures and then tossed in a few Jogo 92 cards from the Calgary Stampeders.

NFL, NFLE, XFL

Harper, Alvin

Cards: Classic 1991, Action Packed Rookies 1991
Acquired: In Person 1991, 1992 Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

The fresh smell of the second training camp was still in the air and permanent fences still hadn’t been fully erected. Players didn’t always go up the alleyway and occasionally a poor soul would get swarmed by the masses like zombies to the fresh meat, when they came up the wrong way. Alvin Harper did exactly this the first time we got his autograph. He’d be one of our first victims that training camp on his abysmal looking Classic 1991 card. -Great pose however. He was a hell of a jumper. I also learned about trying to avoid getting autographs on glossy cards as with this card the autograph streaked a bit. Alvin Haper like David Anderson– loves to put a star for his “A”- but in this case it really makes sense because in a vain way because Alvin played for the Cowboys. Josh and I also met this guy who was crazy about meeting Harper the next year- and kept talking about how Harper was from a little town in Florida called Frostproof. He talked about it so much- I remembered it for this article without even looking it up!

Harper would be drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in their 1991 draft along with Russell Maryland. His rookie season would pass by uneventful enough stretching the field with 20 catches for 326 yards. Alvin’s 2nd and 3rd year would see proportionate increasing in his playing time, yardage, catches and touchdowns, to a point where in his 4th year- Harper would lead the NFL in average yards per catch with a sizzling 24.9 yards per catch. This would be the apex of his statistical career.

I really scratched my head because in 1995 he was the top free agent wide receiver on the market, and the Cowboys were not interested in resigning him. Harper would sign with the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were looking for his big play potential to stretch defenses. Harper was happy playing for bigger money closer to home in Frostproof. He was also courted by the Redskins and Chiefs. Things didn’t exactly pan out. Injuries and a bad offense didn’t help him and his career quickly fizzled out. Alvin would spend two seasons there, and then sign in 1997 with the Redskins and also the Saints. In his time with the Redskins though Harper found out about volunteer coaching through Howard University, and began that season. In 1998 he’d be out of football, but hoping to recapture some of that magic again signed with the Cowboys where he played one final season with them in 1999. Alvin has always kept one eye on the sport that he loves dearly- and played in the XFL for the Memphis Maniax in 2001, before retiring from the sport for good. Alvin kept coaching,- something that he truly enjoys and spent some time coaching receivers in the NFLE for the Rhein Fire in 2005. Harper was also officially hired on board by the Howard Bisons (whom he previously interned for) and in 2004 became the team’s offensive coordinator: A position he’s held into 2010.

Largely one could wonder how Harper would have fared if he stayed paired with Michael Irvin. Harper certainly had great tools and athleticism which the Cowboys really knew how to use, but he never quite fit the mold of a lead wide receiver that the Bucs and Redskins hoped he’d be. On a more humorous note, Alvin had a secret nickname- “Freaky Harp”, which I will leave it to you to figure out as he was banned from a Gentleman’s Club in Dallas for being in a phone booth, -and it wasn’t for making a phone call. Harper was also well represented on Tecmo Super Bowl Final Edition on Super Nintendo and was a real factor in the game… for the Buccaneers.

G/Gp 102/67     Rec 191      Yds 3473     Avg 18.2      Td 21      lg 90t

NFL

Brazile, Robert “Dr. Doom”

Cards: Topps 1981, Topps 1982
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o home  (signing fee)
Sent: 8/27  Received: 9/11  (14 days)

Robert Brazile was a member of some of the underrated Houston Oilers defenses that were overshadowed by the Steelers in the AFC Central during the 1970’s.  The Houston Oilers would draft Brazile in the first round of the 1975 draft with the sixth overall pick under the direction of Bum Phillips who was looking for fresh bodies for his new 3-4 defense. Brazile was a perfect fit for defensive coordinator Bum Phillips who was enamored with Robert’s (6’4″,230) combination of power, speed and size. After pulling the trigger Brazile would not disappoint- winning NFL rookie of the year honors after the conclusion of the 1975 season. A key cornerstone to the Oilers 1970’s AFC Championship runs during the “Luv Ya Blue” era, Brazile would earn ProBowl honors from 1976-1982 and was named AP from 1976-1980.   Brazile would be nicknamed “Dr. Doom” by his teammates for his ability to blanket the field and make incredible bonecrunching hits. More importantly it was because he got thrown out of a game his rookie season for crushing Washington Redskin quarterback Billy Kilmer’s skull. A complete player, Dr. Doom was an incredibly intelligent player who could play both the pass and the run with frightening efficiency. Brazile would terrorize opponents through 1984, and is considered the forerunner to Lawrence Taylor as a blitzing linebacker- but because sacks did not become a tracked statistic until 1982, Brazile’s contributions to the transformation of the linebacker position are largely ignored.

As a dominating force from the outside Brazile is unofficially considered the #2 tackler in the history of the Oilers franchise with 1285 tackles and never missed a game over his 10 year career. He’d also be named to the NFL’s All 1970s team. Despite Brazile’s notable statistic and presence on the field, he is one of the major players who has not been inducted into the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame, but with teammate Elvin Bethea‘s recent induction- hope has been given anew that this stalwart defender will get his due. Brazile currently lives in Mobile, Alabama and briefly coached minor league football. An avid tennis player, Robert signed these cards for me for an extremely nominal fee, and even put his nickname on it that harkens to the Marvel Comics bad guy.

G/Gs 147/147     Tac  1285      Sac N/a    Fum 14     Int 13    Yds  201   Avg  15.4   Td 0    lg  33

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