Tag Archives: jewish athlete

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Goldberg, Bill

Pro Set 1991 World League Helmet Insert Card, #8

CARDS: Pro Set 1991 World League Insert, Ultimate WL 1992
ACQUIRED: In Person, 2023

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Defensive tackle Bill Goldberg played college football at Georgia from 1987-89.
  • An 11th round draft choice of the Los Angeles Rams in the 1990 Draft.
  • He made the franchise and was with the team through the offseason of 1991.
  • Bill signed with the Sacramento Surge of the World League in 1992.
  • He helped anchor down an impressive defense notching 3 sacks on the season, as the team won World Bowl II.
  • After the World League collapsed, Bill signed with the Sacramento Goldminers of the CFL that year.
  • This led him to the Atlanta Falcons during that same year in 1992.
  • Bill played with the Falcons through 1994.
  • In a preseason game against the Eagles, Bill tore his abductor muscle from his pelvis.
  • This caused him incredible pain while he searched for a proper diagnosis.
  • Ultimately he’d be cut by the Falcons, and then later picked up by the new expansion franchise, the Carolina Panthers.
  • And… he’d be the first player cut by the Panthers.
  • In the meantime, during his rehab, he’d met many wrestlers and was eventually convinced to try his hand at the sport.
  • He quickly ascended the ranks of WCW and made his debut as ‘Goldberg’ in 1997.
  • Won 173 straight wrestling matches.
  • When WCW was bought out by the WWE, Goldberg wrestled in Japan for two years before returning stateside to the WWE.
  • Took a break from wrestling, returning to the sport in 2015 during Legends of Wrestling.
  • Officially returned to WWE in 2016, retiring from the sport unofficially in 2022.
  • Rumors continue to swirl about his return to the sport.
  • Has appeared and been in numerous movies and TV shows.
Ultimate WL 1992 Team Checklist, #147

ACCOLADES:

  • WWE Hall of Fame
  • WWE Championship
  • WWE Universal Championship x2
  • WCW World Heavyweight Champion x2
  • WCW World Tag Team Champion
  • WcW United States World Heavyweight Champion x2

NOTES:

Bill is passionate about his charitable causes, notably Purple Heart services for wounded veterans. He also is Jewish- And while he’s extremely respectful of his religious upbringing, it’s something that’s just not talked about a lot.

So a few months ago when the XFL Brahmas opened up shop, some of my friends were invited to a special gathering for the team at the stadium. There they met many of the players and there was a special appearance by Bill Goldberg! (I had not realized he was still so passionate about the sport of Spring Football.)

When this event popped up in Boerne, I got that feeling that, maybe Bill would show up. Y’know a gut feeling. I told my friend who was going with me (Jeff) to not be surprised and to plan as if he might be attending. When we got to this really good taco joint, everything just seemed to line up. Jeff noted the autograph on the wall from Goldberg. Then I texted my friend Brandon, and he said, “Oh yeah, Goldberg will be there.” Just as we were about to step out, the man himself walked in.

Jeff nudged me and we played it cool. When we did speak to Goldberg, I talked to him about the World League and told him about how I probably walked by him at that last game when he was with the Surge, and they beat the Riders in the ‘Do or Die’ game. And while we lost, I left satisfied that next year might be the Riders’ year… <insert audible trail off>

He gave a chuckle and told me that it was a great time. That back then he was pretty close to the stadium since he was living in San Marcos… but that it was from SO LONG AGO. He then took this awesome photo with me.

Later right before he left I approached him one more time and thanked him for his time in the World League. And I’ll say this to any World League player I run into or get the autograph of: It meant so much to me that you guys were chasing your dreams. My father was not the greatest father, but he tried, and the way he got started was by taking me to those World League games. It really helped us bond. And I am forever grateful for every player who played in that league.

He told me that it meant to him more than I’d know- and that honestly meant to me, so, so much.

NFL

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WL

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NFL

Camarillo, Greg

2009 Upper Deck, #105
Score 2009, #156
Panini Prestige 2010, #103

CARDS: Score 2009, Panini Prestige 2010, Upper Deck 2009
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
SENT: 11/8 RECEIVED: 11/21 (13 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Greg Camarillo walked on at Stanford as a punter in 2001, but eventually was able to settle in at WR.
  • Caught 18 passes in both his Junior and Senior campaigns.
  • Finished his college career with 45 catches for 599 yards.
  • Was not selected in the 2005 NFL draft, but picked up as a free agent by the San Diego Chargers.
  • He’d make the team as a practice squad member and was cut in 2007.
  • Signed off of waivers by the Miami Dolphins.
  • Didn’t really see much playing time until late in the 2007 season.
  • Blew up on the Baltimore Ravens catching 3 passes for 103 yards and a 64 yard TD, helping the Dolphins secure their only win of the season.
  • The 64 yard play would be the longest of the year for the hapless Dolphins.
  • In 2008, saw increased playtime, including an 11 catch 111 yard performance in a win over the Denver Broncos.
  • Joined the Vikings in 2010 playing for Minnesota through 2011.
  • Finished career in 2012 with the New Orleans Saints.

NOTES:

I loved these action shots of Greg, and being that they were also some set needs it made sense to get his autograph on them. He’s got a pretty solid autograph. I love the loops in the G and C. Greg is both Mexican American and of Jewish heritage.

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