Card: Wild Card WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o Home (12 days)
Darrell Colbert was originally a free agent pick up of the Kansas City Chiefs, and in 1987 was the only rookie to make the roster that season where he nabbed 4 catches in 15 games over the next two seasons. He’d catch a 40 yard bomb against the Oilers in the 1987 preseason, keying the Chiefs 32-20 victory. After being cut in 1988, Colbert would remain in shape, playing with the BC Lions and Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL in 1990.
In 1992, he was drafted by the San Antonio Riders of the WLAF who utilized him as a wide receiver and primary punt returner. Colbert finished as the team’s leading receiver with 464 yards and second on the team with 33 receptions. (In the short history of the franchise, his 464 yards would be a team season record.) He’d also have the team’s longest play from scrimmage in 1992 with a 63 yard catch. Darrell played a part in the ‘Do or Die’ game against the Sacramento Surge, catching a pass and racing down the sidelines for an apparent TD that was called back, and also catching a two point conversion during the second quarter to tie things up. The league reorganized after the 1992 season.
In 2010, Darrell was inducted into Texas Southern University’s Hall of Fame as an 80’s All-American inaugural member where he is the college’s all time leader in catches, yards, and receiving touchdowns. I tracked down Darrell outside of Waco, Tx recently, where he signed my card in roughly 12 days. Below are his statistics from the WLAF.
Games 10 Rec 33 Yds 464 Avg 14.1 Td 1 Lg 63 |
Pr 21 Yds 142 Avg 6.8 Td 0 Lg 18
After a rough political offseason between the WLAF and the NFL, Gelbaugh found himself on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, then quickly back in the NFL on the Phoenix Cardinals. Before the end of that 1991 season, he’d then be signed to the Seattle Seahawks, where former coach Larry Kennan was now offensive coordinator. As his roundabout tour continued, Gelbaugh exasperatedly returned to the Monarchs for the 1992 WLAF season, where the team collapsed under a new coach and a 2-7-1 record. (Gelbaugh still turned in almost 2000 yards passing and 11 touchdown passes.) After the 1992 WLAF season, Gelbaugh returned to the Seahawks, where in one MNF contest, he ignited the Seahawks to an improbable comeback victory over their rival Denver Broncos. Stan retired after the 1996 season.
Gelbaugh since retirement has been involved in coaching and now works full time for a construction company in Washington DC and loves golfing. He finished his London career as the team’s leading quarterback in almost every category. Gelbaugh also finished as the WLAF’s career leader for attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns. He’d also be the only quarterback in the league to throw for two 90 yard plus touchdown strikes.
I took a stab in the dark at Stan Gelbaugh, utilizing the power of the internet (Google) to find his address. His name isn’t the most common in the universe, and after about 20 minutes I was able to track him down. I broke a major rule when I mailed Stan: I sent more than 4 cards. In fact I sent seven, (every WLAF card he ever had). I told him he could sign what he wanted and return it and that would be fine. He kindly signed every one for me. Included below are his WLAF career statistics.