Arena, WLAF

O’Hara, Pat

Cards: Ultimate WLAF 1991, Wild Card WLAF 1992.
Acquired: TTM, 2010. C/o Orlando Predators
Sent:  4/28   Received: 5/28  (31 days)

Pat O’Hara was allocated to the Ohio Glory (from Tampa Bay) to back up starting quarterback Babe Laufenberg for the 1992 season but it turned into a full blown quarterback controversy between Laufenberg, Glen Frey, and Pat O’Hara for the starting job. After the season was over he was picked up by the Chargers and thenRedskins, before moving into a starting capacity in the AFL playing for the Orlando Predators from 1995-2000. From 2001-02 he played for the Toronto Phantoms, and then finally the Tampa Bay Storm from 2003-2006 before retiring. It was during his Arena career he built his playing resume winning 3 Arena Bowls in 5 tries.

The onetime backup to Rodney Peete and Todd Marinovich at USC, spent time at a variety of head coaching and coordinator jobs in the Arena league before being promoted to head coach of the Orlando Predators in 2010. Oddly enough Pat has also spent some time consulting for movies and actors to assist in authenticity of football films. I received his autographs courtesy of the Predators in about a month.

Glory   Games n/a       Att 201       Comp 116     Pct 57.7     Yds 1118
Td 3    Int 11     Rat  57.0

NFL

Shepard, Derrick (1964-1999)

Cards: Fleer 1990
Acquired: In person, Dallas Cowboys training camp 1990.

I got Derrick on day two or three at my first Cowboys training camp. He was more than happy to stop and sign any cards that fans had and was genuinely a nice guy even though the players were engaged in blisteringly hot two a days.

Derrick was basically trying to live the dream and find a home in the NFL after not being drafted into the league. He was signed as a free agent by the Redskins, and made an impression as a backup kick returner/ punt returner winning a Superbowl in 1987. A speedster, Shepard was signed via free agency by the Saints in 1989 and played 4 games before hitting waivers again, where the Cowboys signed him immediately to fill a utility role. Derrick got valuable playing experience at WR  and in special teams, starting 8 games, making 18 catches, and scoring the only receiving touchdown of his career.  In both 1989 and 1990 he’d lead the team in punt returns, but his role would be shifted to back up in 1991.

Transitioning out of his life as a player, Shepard began a coaching career at the high school level and then later returned to the University of Oklahoma, (his alma mater) before becoming the wide receivers coach at Wyoming in early in 1999. A few weeks later while playing racquetball Derrick suffered a fatal heart attack and died. He was only 35. Derrick Shepard is survived by his wife and three children.

G 36   Rec  20   Yds  304    Avg  15.2    TD 1   Lg 37
KR 51  Yds  1007   Avg 19.7    TD 0     LG 44
PR  75    Yds 679     Avg  9.1     TD 1      Lg  73

WLAF

Norseth, Mike

Cards: Ultimate WLAF 1991, Wild Card WLAF 1992.
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o  home
Sent: 6/11  Received: 6/18  (7 days)

Mike Norseth played for Kansas during the mid-eighties and could flat out throw the rock, being named the MVP of the 1986 Blue Gray game. Unfortunately being drafted by the Browns in the 7th round after Bernie Kosar took the reins, meant Norseth would ride the bench. He signed with the Bengals and played in one game, rushing for 5 yards but never moved into the starting role in stops in additional cities in Houston or Green Bay.

In 1992, Mike was drafted by the Birmingham Fire and was named starter after the departure of Brent Pease to the Knights. Mike saw starting action in 10 contests but rarely had time to settle and was forced to scramble regularly.  Regardless he would still lead the Birmingham fire to their best record at 7-2-1 and the team into the playoffs for its second season.

Currently Mike resides in Sandy, Utah does announcing for KU games.  He also sits on the board of directors for the Boomer Esiason Foundation. I got Norseth’s autograph on his cards after locating his home address, in a short 7 days.

Games 10   Att 259     Comp 144   Pct 55.5      Yds 1634       Td 4      Int  12      Rat 60.5

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