CARDS: Pro Set 1989, Score 1989 ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 5/31 RECEIVED: 6/10 (10 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Keith Bishop was an offensive lineman, drafted out of Baylor by the Denver Broncos in the 6th round of the 1980 NFL Draft.
Would have been drafted higher, but injuries riddled his final year of college and early on in his pro career.
Prized for long snapping skills.
Versatile, aggressive, with a touch of finesse, played Center and Guard over career.
First offensive lineman in Broncos history to be named to the Pro Bowl.
Played for Broncos from 1980-89.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1986, ’87
NOTES:
Keith works for the Broncos as the Vice President of Security. I had a set need with Keith on the Pro Set 1989, and realized after sifting through cards late one night, he had a great Score 1989 card. I’m a sucker for cards with big men that have dirt on them. This one definitely checked all the boxes so I had get Keith.
Devastating long bomb threat and speedy receiver, Flipper Anderson was a second round pick of the Los Angeles Rams out of UCLA in 1988.
In 1989, had a whopping 44 catches for 1146 yards and 5 TDs.
His 28 yards per catch was second in NFL history (behind Warren Wells) for a player with a minimum of 40 catches.
During 1990 season, when Henry Ellard was sidelined for a game, Flipper became QB Jim Everett‘s primary receiver against the Saints.
Set an NFL record by catching 15 passes for 336 yards in that game.
Had 51 catches for 1083 yards and 7 TDs (21.0 YPR) in 1990.
Played for the Rams through the 1994 season.
Went into the journeyman phase of his career quickly, playing for the Colts (’95), Redskins (’96), and Broncos (’97) but saw little action.
Lives in Georgia where he’s currently a high school basketball referee.
ACCOLADES:
NFL RECORD- Single game yards receiving (336)
NFL Leader Yards Per Reception (1989, ’90)
Fleer 1990, #33
NOTES:
I failed on Flipper so many times I pretty much gave up. TTM he didn’t respond to me twice, but responded randomly to others. Then I paid for a consignment and shipped my cards out to get him, but I wasn’t able to get him that way either- though I suspect the consigner more than anyone. (What a mess that was.) My buddy Brian got him on two cards and decided to send me one, so I held onto this Score 92 forever, thinking about these sour grapes. Finally in 2023, I was able to pick up a respectable Fleer 90 that I wanted, so I decided to go ahead and put this post together.
Flipper has like 4 other cards I still need him on. His Pro Set 1990 is an infamous photo of him scoring the final TD against the New York Giants eliminating them from the playoffs in ’89.
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’.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
