Tag Archives: Dallas Cowboys

CFL, NFL, XFL

Maponga, Stansly

Topps XFL 2020, #AU-SM
Topps XFL 2020, #45

CARDS: Topps XFL 2020 Certified, Topps XFL 2020
ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas v Orlando Guardians

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Defensive Lineman Stansly Maponga played college ball at TCU from 2010-12.
  • In 2011 he posted 55 total tackles, 13.5 TFL, 9 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles.
  • He was a 5th round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2015.
  • After not making the final cuts, he was resigned to the practice squad by the Falcons.
  • The Giants signed him later in 2017 to their regular season roster, and then retained him on their practice squad after the year.
  • Maponga then spent the next year or two of and on the practice squad and in the futures contract game with the Cowboys (2017), and Broncos (2017-18).
  • In late 2019, he’d be the first defender selected by the Seattle Dragons of the XFL for 2020.
  • On the 5 game season, he’d post 15 tackles.
  • After a brief flirtation with the Ottawa Redblacks of the CFL (2021), he’d be selected by the Orlando Guardians of the XFL 2023.
  • On the season Stansly posted 22 total tackles, and 2.5 sacks starting 9 games for the Guardians.

NOTES:

Stansly was another player within earshot as he left the field to go back to the locker room after warm-ups. He got past me, but when I called out his name, he was probably impressed that I knew how to pronounce it properly in the first place- turned around and came back to me. He graciously signed this card for me. I was really impressed by the broadness of his shoulders. He had gigantic shoulder pads for his size. We also joked about the fact he played for the Dragons, sans ‘Sea’.

AFL, College Football HoF, Heisman Trophy Winner, NFL, Super Bowl MVP

Staubach, Roger (2)

Action Packed Whizzer White Award 1991, #13

CARD: Action Packed Whizzer White Award 1991
ACQUIRED: TTM 2020, C/o Home*
SENT: 6/17 RECEIVED: 7/23 (36 days)
*Fee Enclosed

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

I got Roger many, many years ago in person at Cowboys training camp, but over the last few years there was a few cards I added to my collection from sets I really wanted to get signed. Staubach was kind enough to sign 1 of 2, but also sent a note back saying not to write to him again.

Staubach was also one of these players whose fee and signing habits changed wildly over the last 20 years. There was also a rumor that he had a ghost signer. While I couldn’t verify whether or not that was true, this autograph is certainly different than the one I got in person back in the 90s.

NFL

Wilson, Robert ‘Bull’

Gameday 1992, #470

CARDS: Gameday 1992, ProSet 1991, Wild Card 1991, Action Packed Rookies 1991, Score Supplemental 1991
ACQUIRED: In Person, 2022

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Robert ‘Bull’ Wilson played RB/FB for Texas A&M from 1988-90.
  • Ran 343 times for 724 yards (5 TDs) and had 32 catches for 277 yards and 3 TDs.
  • The premier FB of the 1991 NFL Draft, Robert was selected in the 3rd round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
  • An outstanding blocker, Robert started 15 contests his rookie year, scored 2 TDs on pass receptions, and led the team with a 4.3 yard per carry average (42 carries).
  • With the franchise going through some turmoil between coaches, (Richard Williamson to Sam Wyche), Robert didn’t see any playing time again until 1994, splitting time with the Cowboys and Dolphins.
  • He’d spend the 1995 and ’96 campaigns with the Dolphins playing special teams and as a blocking fullback.
  • Retired and lives in the H-Town area, and recently wrote a book ‘Big Hits & Politics’ – about his time in the NFL.
1991 Score Supplemental, #97T
Action Packed Rookies 1991, #62

NOTES:

Thanks to Richmond Webb, I was able to track down Bull. I had some very insightful conversation and comments back and forth with Richmond, when all of a sudden Robert started following me. Staying true to the rule I have of not trying to scare players by immediately engaging them on Twitter, I got really excited when I saw that Robert was releasing his book ‘Big Hits & Politics’. When I asked about a book signing, he and Bam Bam told me to stay tuned.

A non-signer TTM, I considered this one a major coup and a jump start to my 2022. Robert and I talked and he graciously signed the cards I brought. I even gave him a few and put them in a nice binder, since the ones he had were quite beat up.

It was a nice event. Not only was Richmond and Robert there, Kevin Smith also popped in- and I just happened to have cards of him too. Now I gotta say I stuck out like a sore thumb, but everyone was really impressed I made the journey to come down to celebrate his book and his playing career. It was a nice event, and although my phone almost died I was able to navigate my way back out of town.

Pro Set 1991, #809
Wild Card 1991, #85
RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
451834.1020
RECYDSAVGTDLG
231295.6315