CARD: Pro Set 1989, Pro Set 1990, Score 1990 ACQUIRED: TTM 2025, C/o Home SENT: 2/21 RECEIVED: 5/12 (80 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Carl Zander played LB for the Tennessee Vols from 1981-’84.
He led the team in tackles as a Senior with 167 and finished second on the team as a Junior.
A second round choice of the Bengals in 1985.
Became a starter in last 1/3rd of season and had 60 tackles, a sack and recovered fumble in his rookie season.
Fast and physical, Zander had 97 tackles and 3.5 sacks in ’86.
Followed that up with 61 tackles in 1987.
Continued to play with the Bengals through the 1991 season.
At last glance was on the off-season roster of the Colts in 1992.
NOTES:
Carl doesn’t get enough respect, and was the team’s defensive signal caller and captain for much of his career. Bengal fans remember him well for the game winning goal line stuff of Stump Mitchell during Cincinnati’s 1988 Super Bowl run.
Classy and great cards of Zander here. I was very happy to add him on these three cards.
A 5th round pick by the San Fransisco 49ers in 2009, Nate Davis played QB at Ball State.
Played 3 years for the Cardinals from 2006-’08 setting multiple school passing records.
Finished college career with 9,223 yards passing, completing 678 of 1,124 attempts, with 74 TDs to 22 picks.
Davis had a solid enough preseason in 2009 to make the squad as the emergency QB.
He didn’t see any playtime in his rookie season.
Spent 2010 on the ‘9ers practice squad.
Briefly saw time on the off-season roster of the Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts in 2011.
It was at this point Nate became a hot prospect in the Spring indoor football system.
After two quick stints with the Kansas City Command and the Orlando Predators in 2012, Nate joined the Amarillo Venom of the LSFL.
Completed 212 of 381 attempts for 2,967 yards and 65 TDs.
The San Antonio Talons acquired his rights in the Arena Football League in 2013, but he refused to sign.
Instead Davis continued to play for the LSFL- this time with the Rio Grand Valley Sol in 2014.
He then resigned with the Amarillo Venom and played with the franchise from 2015-’19.
Signed with the Duke City Gladiators of the IFL, and spent 2020-’23 with the franchise, setting multiple passing records for the league.
In 2021, he passed for 2,901 yards and 79 TDs (10 INT), on 232 of 362 attempts.
Traded from Duke City to the San Diego Strike Force in 2023.
In 2024, Nate passed for 2,751 yards and 66 TDs for the Strike Force.
Threw a controversial TD against the Arizona Rattlers in the 2025 IFL playoffs as time expired lifting San Diego to a win.
ACCOLADES:
Ball State Cardinals Hall of Fame 2021
LSFL Offensive MVP 2012 (tie)
IFL Offensive Player of the Year 2021
NOTES:
I had been eyeballing Nate’s cards for a while. He had some really nice looking ones and after seeing the brouhaha about the Strike Force’s win over Arizona, I felt no time was better than this one! I actually had a Dress For Success Donruss ’09 patch auto coming to me, but unfortunately it got lost in the mail.
Donald Brown played RB at Connecticut, where after two decent campaigns, burst onto the scene his Junior year with a conference leading 367 carries and 2083 yards.
He declared after 2008, and was selected at the back end of Round 1 by the Indianapolis Colts during the 2009 NFL Draft.
Donald had his best season in 2011, when he rushed 134 times for 645 yards and 5 TDs- including an 80 yard scamper.
After the 2013 season, he’d sign with the San Diego Chargers.
Brown recorded a career high 28 receptions in 2014.
After failing to make the Patriots roster in 2016, Donald retired.
He saw action in 88 contests- starting 25.
NOTES:
I really like this subset of Rookies & Stars a lot and have been picking up one or two here and there from it. I was able to this card on the cheap. He’s got a few others that I really like, that at some point if he starts TTM up I’ll send out to him.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
