Tag Archives: dallas texans

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
NFL

Lilly, Bob (2)

2016 Panini Elite, #ET-BL
Upper Deck Legends 1997, #MM26

CARDS: Panini Elite 2016, Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home*
SENT: 4/12/22 RECEIVED: 4/19/22 (7 DAYS)
* Signing fee enclosed

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

I discovered the 1997 Upper Deck Legends Marquee Matchups subset too late, but I made up for it in spades with a few good ones. Bob was kind enough to adorn the dual signature card in gold paint pen. An absolute killer choice. Great card. Took me a while to get around to it as these have become rarer and rarer. For some reason someone was pricing this card at nearly $20.00- A figure I easily balk at… But with some patience the right price came up on this card and I quickly snagged it.

NFL

McCormack, Mike (1930-2013)

CARD: Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: EBay, 2021

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played college football for the University of Kansas from 1947-50.
  • Selected by the New York Yanks in the 3rd round of the 1951 NFL Draft.
  • Team moved to Dallas in 1952 and became the Texans.
  • Conscripted into the US Army and served in Korea through ’54.
  • Became free agent upon return, after franchise folded.
  • Joined the Cleveland Browns that year initially playing on the defensive line.
  • In ’55 moved to offensive line, blocking up front for HOFer Jim Brown.
  • Became the most dominant lineman of the era, completely neutralizing HOF defenders.
  • Retired in ’62 and jumped straight into coaching.
  • After working the All-Star college game circuit, became an assistant coach with the Redskins in 1965, working there through ’72.
  • Joined rival Eagles as head coach in ’73.
  • Compiled a 16-25-1 record as head coach over 3 seasons.
  • Worked with the Bengals from ’76-’79 as an assistant coach.
  • Compiled a 9-23 record as HC of the Baltimore Colts over the next two years.
  • Spent one year as HC of the Seahawks in ’82 winning 4 games and losing 3.
  • Moved into the general manager role in 1982, helping build the Seahawks into a contender in the AFC West, through ’89.
  • Served as the Panthers first GM from 1993-97.

ACCOLADES:

  • Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor
  • Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor
  • Pro Bowl 1951, ’56, ’57, ’60-’62
  • All-Pro 1954-’62
  • Pro Football Hall of Fame

EPITAPH:

Passed away in 2012 of heart failure at the age of 83.

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