Card: ProSet World League 1991 Acquired: 2020, EBay Failure: TTM 2010 and 2016, C/o Home
Tracy Simien played during the late Jurassic era of the SWC for the Texas Christian Horned Frogs from 1985-1988. During that period he switched positions 4 times, from center and guard as a freshman, and then as a nose tackle during his sophomore campaign, finally landing at defensive end during his junior season. Over his time at TCU, Tracy compiled 193 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks. Reputed to bench at the time over 400 pounds, Tracy slipped through the cracks of the 1989 NFL Draft, but found a home on the developmental roster of the Steelers that season, seeing some action in the divisional playoff game against the Broncos. In 1990 he joined the Chiefs developmental squad- where he was then became one of the first ‘big name’ NFL Enhancement Players to sign with the World League for the 1991 season.
Tracy made quite a splash for the Montreal Machine at linebacker that year. During the league’s debut weekend, he’d wear USA Network’s Helmet Cam making quite a splash during the team’s win over the Birmingham Fire 20-5. His bone crushing hits and plays were amazing to watch, and he finished with 4 tackles and a sack in the exciting contest. After the dust settled from that year, Simien had 33 tackles, 5 sacks, and a fumble recovery- good for first team All-World Honors in 1991.
Simien became one of the league’s early poster children for success, as he parlayed his experience and seasoning into a starting role with the Chiefs in 1991 at LILB. In 1992 he’d lead KC in tackles with 97, and lead the linebacker corps with 3 interceptions at MLB. He’d follow up his solid ’92 campaign with a career high 105 tackles in 1993 back at LILB. Over the next following 3 seasons Tracy finished with over 70 tackles playing again back at MLB. After the 1998 season, he signed with the San Diego Chargers- retiring after the season.
I was frustrated with my lack of success with Tracy so when I saw this reasonably priced autograph on Ebay, that matched previous ones of his, I went ahead and pulled the trigger, confident I had acquired the real deal.
Tracy has dabbled in coaching, imparting his knowledge that he learned in the NFLE with the Cologne Centurions from 2005 and 2007, and the Houston Texans in 2006.
Card: Ultimate WLAF 1992 Acquired: TTM 2017, C/o Work Sent: 8/8/17 Received: 5/31/19 (661 days) See Also: JR Holland
Overall it’s a great shot of Holland, but unfortunately, somebody was running into the foreground of the shot, so they couldn’t have a giant hand right next to JR. Ugh. Once you see it, it is all you look at.
I was able to cross reference all the information I had on John to track him down eventually through Facebook, and came to find out he runs a gym in California, where I sent my request to.
I waited 661 days for a 1 of 2- as JR signed just his Ultimate WLAF card, but not his Wild Card, but I will take what I can get, as it took some super sleuthing to track him down. John Holland was kind enough to sign this card and inscribe it with ‘Birmingham Bad Boys”.
Card: Wild Card WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent: Received: (days)
See Also: John Brantley ‘Rambo’
I had to work very hard to get John Brantley, since he has a very strong family line of football playing sons, and John III who plays quarterback for Florida sucks up the Google hits. I finally got an updated Meiselman list with John Sr.’s address, and shot the last card out I had of him. He’s still considered a legend at Georgia where he played college ball, but he is also well regarded for his time with the Birmingham Fire of the WLAF, of which he spent two seasons with.
After playing a season with the Fire, he returned to the NFL, but did not stick on the roster of Cardinals. It is said only some slim 3% of WLAF players stood a chance at returning to the NFL, His second season with the Fire was even more impressive than the first, as Brantley had 77 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries. Brantley became one of the few players that was able to make it back to the NFL however, sticking on the roster of the Washington Redskins for the 1992 season.
John has also been recognized by the Bulldogs for being an outstanding contributor to the Florida-Georgia rivalry and has been inducted to the rivalry game’s Hall of Fame.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
