Tag Archives: colorado crush

Arena, NFL, WLAF

Hammel, Todd

CARD: Pro Set 1991 World League Insert
ACQUIRED: Ebay, 2025
FAILURE: TTM 2013, C/O WORK. TTM 2017, C/O HOME. TTM 2022, C/O HOME. TTM 2024, C/O WORK

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Todd Hammel played QB three years at SF Austin from 1987-’89.
  • He had a year to remember in 1989, tossing for a whopping 5,364 yards and 48 TDs on 316 of 577 throws (23 interceptions).
  • A twelfth round pick of the Bucs in 1990.
  • Cut, he spent about a week on the Falcons later that year.
  • Hammel was selected by the New York/ New Jersey Knights in the 1991 WLAF positional draft.
  • He’d start the first contest in franchise history against the Barcelona Dragons, but was supplanted in the lineup by Jeff Graham.
  • Throughout the season, Hammel saw spotty playing time.
  • Signed with the Arena Football League in 1992 and joined the Dallas Texans.
  • After two seasons in Dallas, this led to a stint with the Fort Worth Calvary in 1994.
  • Then in 1995, it was off to Milwaukee where he saw his greatest success.
  • In 1998, Todd threw for 60 TDs and 3,100 yards.
  • Later in 1999, he became the first Arena player to throw for 300 TDs, 1,500 completions and 18,000+ yards.
  • From 2000 on, Todd entered the journeyman phase of his career, with stops no longer than a season playing for the Bobcats (’00), Thunderbears (’01), Rampage (’02), Gladiators (’03), Soul (’04), Rush (’05), and Crush (’06).
  • After a 2 year break from the AFL, Hammel returned again to play for the Iron (’09), Sharks/Rush (’10), and finally with the Blaze (’11).
  • Todd has gone into coaching and has been teaching in the Dallas, Tx area.

ACCOLADES:

  • J Association Hall of Fame 2003
  • SFA Hall of Fame 2003
  • AFL All-Star 1993

NOTES:

As you can see here, I’ve tried Todd quite a few times. One time I even asked a TTM friend of mine who worked in a neighboring school district if he could hit him up for me. No dice on that even. I saw a few successes on him throughout the years so I always wondered what gived? Furthermore I even got a ringing endorsement from his former teammate at SF Austin- Melvin Patterson, to hit Todd up. So after 4 attempts, I spied out an autograph on eBay and pulled the trigger.

That being said, I can finally close the book on the Pro Set 1991 Series II World League player inserts. The 32 card set- not including the 10 helmets, was a laborious effort, as many of these players I really had to work to find their addresses. Two of them were dead when I restarted the project, so I got lucky with Mike Lynn and Jack Elway. Later I also added the only international name in Jacques Dussault. Over the years, I had to eBay out Mark Maye, Ben Bennett– and Todd.

ATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRATLG
552532145.52353.739
WLAF
ATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRATLG
396422552802256.944215091.0N/A
ARENA
Arena, NFL

Young, Michael

Gameday 1992, #430
Pro Set 1990, #493
Fleer 1992, #108

CARDS: Skybox 1992, Pro Set 1990, Fleer 1992, Gameday 1992, Pacific 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 5/30/23 RECEIVED: 8/23/23 (85 days)
FAILURE: TTM 2018, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Michael Young played WR for UCLA from 1983-’84.
  • He caught 48 passes for 737 yards and 7 TDs with the Bruins.
  • A 6th round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 1985.
  • Got caught in a numbers game as his playing time waned with the unretirement of Ron Brown.
  • Played for the Rams through ’88 catching 35 passes for 421 yards and 4 TDs.
  • Joined the Broncos in ’89 via Plan B and immediately paid dividends, spotting the Three Amigos.
  • From 1989-’91 he set career single season highs in receptions.
  • Caught a career high 4 TDs in 1990.
  • In the playoffs that year caught a 53 yard pass and a 70 yard TD against the Browns to help Denver reach Super Bowl XXIV.
  • Started 13 games in 1991 and caught a career high 44 passes for 629 yards (2 TDs).
  • Played for the Eagles in 1993 catching 14 passes for 186 yards and 2 TDs.
  • In 1994 dressed for two contests for the Chiefs.
  • After retirement, made the transition to the front office, serving for the Denver Broncos, and then the Colorado Crush of the Arena Football League and then with the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB).
Skybox 1992, #132
Pacific 1992, #86

NOTES:

When I first became a Rams fan, I saw Michael streaking down the field on a few plays. I thought he was going to really be something for them in their already strong WR corps. Then he went off and signed with Denver. I was a bit butt hurt. I knew he’d be clutch when it counted for somebody.

I was miffed that I failed on him back in 2018 considering I lived pretty much right around the corner from him at one point, however I reloaded and gave him another shot a few years later. After pointing out that I was confused because sometimes color men and Wikipedia called him ‘Mike’- he let me know that he indeed goes by Michael. He sent me an NFL Alumni sticker, 2 extra autographs, a nice note, and also his Dodgers business card in his return correspondence. Worth the wait.

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144203414.11452
Arena, NFL, NFLE

Lytle, Matt (2)

Topps 2000, #359
Topps 2000, #294

CARDS: Topps 2000, Leaf Rookies & Stars 2000
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
SENT: 8/11 RECEIVED: 9/21 (41 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

Matt was easy enough to find online that I shot these last two cards out to him. I absolutely love this Leaf Rookies & Stars card. It’s not just the figurative elements and dynamic pose, but the lighting is really what does it for me in this one. Great card.