CARD: Wild Card World League 1992 ACQUIRED: EBay, 2023
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
As a Junior for Western Kentucky, David Smith rushed for 625 yards and 5 TDs.
Selected in the 8th round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 1990, played for the Pittsburgh Gladiators of the Arena Football League.
Joined the Monarchs of the WLAF in 1991 and played with team through 1992.
Scored the league’s first TD in a win against the Frankfurt Galaxy.
Finished season as the team’s second leading rusher with 302 yards on 84 carries, while adding 6 rushing TDs.
Returned to the Arena league after the World League reorganized, playing for the Cincinnati Rockers in 1992.
Continued one year stints playing forthe Tampa Bay Storm in ’93, the Massachusetts Marauders in ’94, and the Charlotte Rage in 1995.
NOTES:
I had been desperately looking for David for the last 13 years or so. The challenge lied in his name, which is one of the most common ones in the United States. I was able to locate this on Ebay and after negotiating with the seller, went ahead and pulled the trigger on this card, leaving me with just needing his Ultimate card. I doubt seriously anyone would fake this autograph since David is so obscure.
CARD: Pro Set 1991 World League Insert ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 5/31 RECEIVED: 6/10 (10 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Played college football at Penn State from 1959-1961 where he was starting QB for the Nittany Lions.
Completed 48.2% of his passes for 1619 yards, 15 TDs, and 11 interceptions, while rushing for 318 yards and 3 TDs on 104 carries.
Played briefly in the NFL for the Redskins in 1962, and the Jets in ’63.
Jumped into coaching working in the college ranks as a positional coach for West Virginia (TE 64-65) and Oklahoma (WR/OC 66-83).
Started out as OC at Florida in ’84, but quickly took the reins as HC, coaching there through ’89.
Posted a 40-18-1 record over career with Gators.
After a year off, returned to coaching as OC of the WLAF Orlando Thunder in ’91.
Recommended and quickly reunited with his former college QB Kerwin Bell.
Orlando became well known for its explosive Spread offensive formations.
Became head coach of the Thunder in ’92, leading the franchise to World Bowl II, claiming an 8-2 record.
After a year’s stint with the AFL Charlotte Rage in ’94, returned to the rebooted World League in 1995, coaching with the Rhein Fire.
Coached through 2000, compiling a 34-26 record, winning two World Bowl Championships (1998, 2000).
Came back stateside in 2001, as head coach of the XFL Orlando Rage posting an 8-2 record.
Coached RBs with the Dallas Cowboys in 2002.
Returned home to Penn State in 2004 as OC and RB coach, working with the Nittany Lions through 2011.
ACCOLADES:
SEC Coach of the Year (1984)
NFL Europe Coach of the Year (1998, 00,
XFL Coach of the Year (2001)
Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame
NOTES:
Galen didn’t have any cards of himself made. I considered making one, but at the time I was artistically uninspired, so after arming up with a few World League helmet cards, I decided to fire one off to him. Now, my big thing recently is getting coaches to draw me up a play. I also peppered him with questions about the spread offense and his time in the World League. Although he didn’t give me any insight into his time in the WLAF/ NFLE, he did author two plays for me. They are run plays, but I’m very happy nonetheless he took the time to put these together.
Had a marvelous journey as a quarterback playing through 18 seasons for 3 leagues and 8 teams from 1952-69.
Played for Kentucky from 1949-51.
In an era not renown for passing, threw for 1627 yards (114/203) and 23 TDs to 12 INT in 1950.
4th pick of the 1952 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers.
Joined CFL Ottawa Rough Riders in 1954, playing there through 55, and also again in 59.
Returned to NFL for a one year stint with the Browns in 56.
Again, played for Packers in 57 and 58.
After one year stint with the CFL again in 59, played for the Oakland Raiders in 1960.
After middling success with Oakland, was traded as part of a blockbuster deal to the Boston Patriots.
Played for the Patriots from 1961-67.
At time of departure from Boston, owned all the franchise’s passing records and many AFL ones as well.
Retired after winning Super Bowl III as Joe Namath‘s backup in Super Bowl III.
Had extensive coaching career.
Passed away in 2017 at the age of 87 after a battle with cancer.
NOTES:
In an age of more sexy names, I really hadn’t considered the legacy of Babe, compared to guys like Tom Brady (of course), or even Drew Bledsoe or Steve Grogan for that matter. -That being said Babe paved the way for those guys.
AFL/NFL
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
3330
1552
22681
46.6
178
220
59.6
RUSH
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
383
1522
4.0
23
33
CFL
*Stats not available pre-1959
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
52
23
373
44.2
4
4
N/a
RUSH
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
4
20
5.0
0
15
P
YDS
AVG
LG
65
2497
38.4
58
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