Card: Wild Card World League 1992 Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Home Sent: 5/9 Received: 5/16 (7 days)
Eric Lindstrom played for Boston College where he was a starter for 3 years. He was listed as a defensive end, but clocking in at 6’3″, 230, he was probably an outside linebacker/ tweener, who played a fair amount of time with his hand in the dirt. Eric finished with 4 interceptions for 59 yards, and competed in two bowl games during his college career. He joined the WLAF in 1991, and went to play ball for his college coach Jack Bicknell, and the Barcelona Dragons.
In 1991, Eric had 4 sacks, 26 tackles, and a pick for the stingy Dragons defense at outside linebacker. He returned to the WLAF in 1992, and led the team with 7 sacks as the Dragons won the European Division. Afterwards he signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL. Lindstrom made 2 tackles, and an interception for 86 yards that he took for a TD during his brief time in the league. After a brief hiatus, (while the World League was reorganizing) Eric returned to play for the league one more time in 1995 adding a final sack to his resume.
After tracking down Eric, he signed his Wild Card in about a week, and wrote me a nice note thanking me for being such a big fan.
Pete Metzelaars made his mark at tiny Wabash, as a two sport star playing basketball and football. He was selected in the 3rd round of the 1982 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. After catching just 27 passes in 3 seasons for the Seahawks, Pete was traded to the Buffalo Bills in 1985.
He caught 49 passes for 485 yards and 3 TDs in 1986 starting his first 16 game slate. In 1988, Pete put up another 33 passes for 438 yards and a TD. After a few years being used primarily as a blocking tight end Pete saw an uptick in 1992, and then caught a career high 68 passes for 609 yards and 4 TDs in ’93 starting all 16 games for the first time since 1989. Metzelaars played one more season for the Bills in 1994, adding another 49 catches for 428 yards and 5 TDs.
In 1995, Pete was allowed to walk via free agency. He joined the expansion Carolina Panthers for a season catching 20 passes and recording 3 TDs. He then played 2 more additional seasons for the Detroit Lions in 1996 and 1997 catching 17 passes in both years. Metzelaars retired after the ’97 season, and decided to go into coaching.
Pete spent 5 years honing his craft at the high school level as an offensive coordinator. He then coached in Europe with the Barcelona Dragons in 2003, and Wingate College as well. In 2004, Pete joined the Indianapolis Colts where he saw the most success, coaching the offensive line from 2004-2011. He then saw a one year stint as tight ends coach of the Bills in 2012, and then the Chargers in 2014 and 2015. After spending another two years back at the high school level, Metzelaars coached offensive line for the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football in 2019.
Card: Wild Card World League 1992 Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Home Sent: 5/4 Received: 5/15 (11 days)
Carl Bax played college ball at Missouri from 1985-1988. The 6’4″, 290 lb guard blocked up front for runningbacks Tommie Stowers and Robert Delpino. Carl was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1989 during the 8th round. He played two seasons for the franchise.
In 1991, Carl was selected by the Barcelona Dragons of the World League of American Football. He’d block up front at Tackle for the Barcelona Dragons. Right before the 1992 season began however, he’d be traded stateside, where he played for the Birmingham Fire.
Carl is the founder of Premiere Orthopedic and lives in Tampa, Florida. Carl was a pretty easy find for me, thanks to his unique name, and he signed his Wild Card for me in a short amount of time, writing best wishes to me on the card.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
