Digging through some of those failures I had over the last few years, I decided to try another address for Matt. It took me a little digging but I found one I thought that matched and sent it out.
To my surprise about two months later he sent this card back signed. As an added bonus he put art (well technically fleurons) all over the front and the back of the card, and as you see a crown on himself and horns as well.
Matt also sent me a nice note, and inscribed the card as ‘1/1’ on the back. Bravo Matt. Bravo. Great sense of humor sir!
Wade Phillips comes from strong football bloodlines as his father Bum, was a coach at the pro level.
Was a 3 year starter at LB at University of Houston from 1966-’68.
Immediately went into coaching where he began his trek up to the pro ranks as a graduate assistant at Houston.
Moved into the pros with his father in 1976 as a positional coach with the HOUSTON Oilers.
Became the defensive coordinator for the Saints in 1981.
In 1985, served as interim HC when his father abruptly retired during the season.
Worked with the Eagles (1985-’88), and Broncos (1989-’92) as each team’s defensive coordinator- respectively.
He was coach of the Broncos from 1993-’94.
Then was quickly snapped up by the Bills to be DC from 1995-’97.
Served as HC for the Bills from 1998-’00.
After a brief hiatus, was back at it again in 2002 as DC for the Falcons through 2003.
Served as interim head coach briefly for Atlanta, then was off to San Diego to be the DC from 2004-2006.
Became head coach of the Dallas Cowboys from 2007-’10.
Claimed to know how to fix the Houston Texans defensive woes and was signed as DC in 2011.
Turned around defensive unit and was key in identifying JJ Watt.
Served through 2013 as the DC, and briefly as the interim head coach.
Returned to the Broncos in 2015 as DC- helping the team win Super Bowl L.
Joined the Rams in 2017 and helped team reach Super Bowl LIII.
After not having his contract renewed following the 2019 season, Wade decided to coach in the XFL in 2023.
As HC of the Houston Roughnecks he led the team to a 7-3 record.
When the UFL and XFL combined following the season, Wade and his staff moved up the street to San Antonio.
Rebuilding the team from the ground up Phillips guided his team to an 8-3 record and an appearance in the first UFL Championship Game.
NOTES:
You know, I didn’t really believe Wade at first that he was going to build a dynamo in San Antonio that we’d be proud of. Then they went to work and just like that by the beginning of that first game, I thought the Brahmas were walking quietly and carrying a big stick.
Wade is well known in circles for being able to make seismic cultural and defensive changes quickly to football franchises. He also hasn’t seen a sniff of an NFL HC job since his time in Dallas- which could be attributed to ageism, as his reputation and resume say otherwise.
I got this custom card done just in time to give it to him at the season ticket holders event. He probably has seen his share of custom trading cards- so he really didn’t bat an eye.. which did surprise me. Over his high profile level of coaching for the past 40+ years, he has never had a trading card in circulation.
Wade has been a HC for more franchises than any coach in NFL history (including interim titles).
I always really appreciated Blair’s Fleer 1990 card from his college days. It’s a great shot of him, and as since Fleer has slowly become a set need for me, I decided to send this out to him. As a teenager, I think I liked this image so much I drew a picture of it.
Blair used to be a non-signer. Then he started signing everything TTM. But after a long break, he’s just now down to one per request.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
