Tag Archives: cincinnati rockers

Arena, NFL, WLAF

Smith, David (RB)

Wild Card World League 1992, #146

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.

RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
1452192.922N/a
Arena
RECYDSAVGTDLG
1819110.60N/a
RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
943213.4628t
WL
RECYDSAVGTDLG
2199.5020
Arena, NFL, WLAF

LaSane, Bruce ‘Toon’

ultwlaf92 lasaneCard: Ultimate WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 7/20/11     Received: 12/10/15    (1604 days)

Bruce LaSane hauled in 46 receptions for 731 yards and 6 touchdowns in 3 years for the Seminoles.  After graduating from Florida State, the fleet footed LaSane signed with his homestate Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent in 1990.

The Orlando Thunder of the WLAF selected LaSane with the 3rd pick of the 7th round during the wide receiver pool of the league draft in 1991.  He fit in well with the Thunder’s Run ‘N Shoot offense, pulling in 23 receptions for 333 yards and 3 TDs in 1991. In one of the more amazing plays in league history Lasane caught a Statue of Liberty touchdown pass from Eric Mitchel -after the runningback had fumbled the ball.

Bruce joined the Arena Football League in 1992. He played for the Cincinnati Rockers posting 38 receptions for 369 yards and 3 TDs over two seasons. As players went both ways back then in Arena ball, LaSane was slotted in at linebacker and posted 23 tackles.  In 1994 he moved on to the Miami Hooters, where he’d post a career high with 58 receptions for 653 yards and 10 TDs to go along with 33 tackles and an interception. -This would earn him All Arena Honors. After the 1995 season, LaSane played for the Minnesota Fighting Pike and Milwaukee Mustangs before landing on the Orlando Predators in 1997. He’d help the team win Arena Bowl XIX alongside fellow WLAF veterans Corris Ervin and Pat O’Hara. In 2000, LaSane signed with the New Jersey Red Dogs, but was traded to the Los Angeles Avengers finally retiring after the season.

I never thought I’d get this one back. A Spokeo find, I sent to Bruce way, way back in 2011, but the current resident of my old address found me and forwarded this one my way.

ARENA  REC 190      YDS  2014          AVG  10.6         TD 33
TAC  125       SAC 1.0       FUM  6       INT 1      YDS 6      AVG 6.0      TD 0

Arena, WLAF

Fletcher, Cecil

ult92 fletcherCard: Ultimate WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent: 7/22    Acquired: 8/6    (16 days)

Cecil Fletcher was one of three members of the Marshall Herd that played in the WLAF from 1991 to 1992. A fearsome pass rusher and staunch run stopper, Fletcher still holds the school single-season mark for sacks with 17 along with 19 TFL that he posted in 1986. A team captain at linebacker for the 1987 team that went 10-5 under George Chaump and finished as NCAA I-AA runner ups, Cecil was one of the leaders of the “Killer Bs” defense. His 1987 was equally impressive, as Fletcher finished with 99 tackles, 11 TFL, 6 sacks, and 2 FR. After the season he was named to to the East-West Shrine Game,- the first member of the Herd since 1941. Cecil’s career totals at Marshall included 247 tackles and his 23 career sacks still rank in the top 5 in school history.

After going undrafted, Cecil signed with the Pittsburg Power of the AFL in 1988. His best season with them came in 1990 when he recorded 6 tackles, 3 sacks, 4 pass blocks, and 2 forced fumbles. A 7th round pick of the New York-New Jersey Knights of the WLAF in 1991, Cecil enjoyed a fine season for the team, recording 41 tackles and .5 sacks. He returned for the 1992 season and posted another sack before the league reorganized. Cecil returned to the AFL where he joined the Cincinnati Rockers in 1993. He’d post his best season of his AFL career with 15 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 PB, 2 blocks, and a FR- retiring after the season.

Cecil since retirement has had a wonderful life with his wife of 20+ years and 2 wonderful children. He coached High School football winning a State Championship, and as of 2013 is an estimator with Roadside Traffic. He wrote me a wonderful handwritten letter. In it he thanked me for the card that he could sign for his children to witness, as when he found out that he had a card back in 1992 it was one of the happiest days of his professional football life. – Such a great heartwarming memory to share. Another great response from a player who had a fun career.