Tag Archives: kansas city chiefs

NFL

Okoye, Christian “The Nigerian Nightmare”

Cards: ProSet 1990 PB, ProSet 1990 LL, Score 1990 HC, Score 1990 GF, Action Packed 1992
Acquired: In Person 2011, Okoye Youth Sports Clinic
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o The Okoye Foundation

The last time I attempted to get Christian’s autograph was in February of 2010. He’d be the first RTS I’d notch on my way back into the collecting field. I really wanted to get his Pro Set 1990 LL card, Score 1990 Hot Card, and his Score 1990 Ground Force cards signed. I put the cards back into my box and forgot about them. I recently decided to do some volunteer work since this job market has been so frustrating. After doing a bit of research I recalled that Christian had a youth skills camp that he runs in Rancho Cucamonga- which is literally down the road from Pasadena. I shot his foundation off an email and asked them how I could volunteer and I received a fairly prompt response and soon I was in contact with Christian himself- which felt really odd- since he was an amazing runningback for the Chiefs back in the late 80s and early 90s.

I worked at the youth skills camp on June 19th and was able to grab his autographs on these cards after doing a lot of just different general things to help out. I was basically a jack of all trades, taking photos, helping with set up, and providing Christian a marker to autograph kids shirts with. I was amazed at how many kids didn’t know who he was or that he played professional football. When I broke it to them who he was they reacted with surprised glee. The whole process was very rewarding for me as I met a couple of players and shot the breeze with Chris Hale, Ricky Ellis, and Derrick Harvey (RB San Diego St) about a variety of things from the Houston Oilers being a horrible organization to player benefits pre 1990. There’s just this worthwhile feeling I got from watching these kids learn from professional players drills, secrets of the game, and general words of encouragement.  It was also nice feeling helpful and useful, but it was odd to have Christian ask me for my phone number so we could brainstorm some things for him in the future.

Christian Okoye was born in Nigeria where he came to the United States to run track at Azusa Pacific. Initially, he really didn’t care for American football, but when his nation refused to accept him for the Nigerian Olympic team, he channeled that frustration into pummeling opponents on the gridiron. Okoye was a surprising combination of power and speed, reminiscent of powerback Earl Campbell, and would be drafted in the 2nd round of the 1987 draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. (Brent Fullwood, DJ Dozier, Roger Vick, Paul Palmer, Kenny Flowers and Terrance Flagler would all come off the board before Okoye’s name was called.)

Okoye would have a subpar rookie season in 1987, rushing for 660 yards. In 1988, despite injuries, he’d pull in another 473.  With the hiring of Marty Schottenheimer in 1989, Okoye would explode out of the gates, leading the NFL in rushing and narrowly beating out rookie Barry Sanders for the NFL rushing title with 1480 yards. He would also lead the NFL in carries with 370, and be named to the ProBowl and All Pro after the season. 1990 would see Christian again limited by injuries rushing for 805 yards, but he’d rebound in 1992 with 1031 yards and another ProBowl nod. In his final season in 1993 Okoye would be limited to primarily goal line situations, and retire after the season after 6 seasons as the franchise’s all time leading rusher (since surpassed).

When I met Christian I mentioned Tecmo Super Bowl to him, he told me that he was aware of the game. I explained to him that in the game that he was virtually unstoppable and  he just tossed players aside on the field like rag dolls, which he found to be pretty funny. Blessed with good speed and tied for the highest hitting power in the game at a whopping 94, you just had to select Okoye plays on defense to keep him from scoring. He was truly a Tecmo Super Bowl legend.

Since retirement Okoye has retired to the Rancho Cucamonga area. He is the president of the California Sports Hall of Fame, runs the Christian Okoye Foundation and also is very active on the NFL Alumni circuit. He also remains one of the most popular and requested Chiefs for public speaking and appearances.

G/Gs 79/65     Att 1246        Yds 4897        Avg  3.9          Td  40        Lg  59   |
Rec 42       Yds 294      Avg  7.0       Td 0      Lg  22

Here are the photos from the 2011 Okoye Youth Skills day I was at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wleebolton


NFL, WLAF

Laufenberg, Babe

Card: Ultimate WLAF 1992
Acquired: In Person 1993, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o Home

Most famously remembered as the Dallas Cowboys 3rd string quarterback during the late 80s and early 90s, Babe Laufenberg was also the #2 overall choice of the WLAF expansion Ohio Glory in 1992.

Originally drafted out of Indiana in the 6th round of the 1985 draft by the Washington Redskins, Babe would not see playing time with the team. In 1986, he’d sign with the Saints, suiting up one game, but not play. This trend continued for Babe as he returned to the Skins for 1987.

In 1988 however, Laufenberg signed with the Chargers and started 6 games for the team that year. He’d compile a 2-4 record as a starter, throwing for 778 yards, with 4 touchdowns to 5 interceptions.  He’d move to Dallas in 1989 as the 3rd string quarterback behind Troy Aikman and Steve Walsh. He’d suit up for 3 games in 1989, after Aikman went down with an injury, but Babe still did not see any playing time until 1990.

With Steve Walsh traded to New Orleans, Laufenberg was elevated to second string for the remainder of the season.  Once again, Aikman was  injured, this time during Week 16 against the Eagles. Babe finished out the game,  as the team lost 17-3, completing 13 of 36 passes for 140 yards…. and 4 interceptions.  Laufenberg then started week 17 throwing for 129 yards and a touchdown to Jay Novacek in a losing effort blow out to the Atlanta Falcons 26-7. It’d be the last time he’d start a game in the NFL.

In 1991, Laufenberg rode into camp I’d swear on a Vespa. A character- you could always count on Babe to say something quotable or give people appropriate nicknames, like “Moose“. The Cowboys were comfortable with newly signed Steve Beuerlein in camp behind Aikman and cut the Laufenberg early on into camp that year to give him a chance to catch on somewhere else.  He’d sign with the Chiefs for the season.

Babe wound up being drafted by the Ohio Glory of the WLAF in 1992. I remember in that preseason game against San Antonio at San Marcos, Riders fans heckled Babe, as he was sacked and intercepted multiple times, en route to a shellacking by San Antonio. The Glory returned to play the Riders later in the 1992 season, but by then the team was starting Pat O’Hara.

Fans were still wrathful about the Cowboys missing the playoffs in 1990, blaming Laufenberg for the loss to the Eagles and Falcons, but really the Cowboys had to win both games- and they never stood a chance against the Eagles in the first place. Sports is a great place for revisionist history however, and Babe to many fans, despite his popularity was scapegoated by fans in Dallas  at that time for those games. -Personally, I loved the guy. Great personality. Amazing to listen to talk.

After the WLAF folded, Babe went into broadcasting where through 2011 he is a successful color commentator and sports broadcaster in Dallas.

G/Gs   N/a    Att 115   Comp 62   Yds  622  Pct 53.9   Td  2   Int 6    Rat  53.6

NFL

Bono, Steve

Cards: Score 1992, GameDay 1992
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 6/14     Received: 6/20  (6 days)

Another near record signature from another former 49er, -Steve Bono was a local UCLA graduate that was the 3rd quarterback taken in the 1985 draft. Considered one of the weaker quarterback classes, he’d be one of only 3 quarterbacks taken in 6 rounds. Signed by the Minnesota Vikings, Bono would play behind Tommy Kramer and Wade Wilson. Staying there through 1986, Steve moved to Pittsburgh, backing up Mark Malone and fought it out with Bubby Brister for 2nd string from 87-88. It’d be in 1989 when Steve would return home to California and sign with the 49ers, to back up Joe Montana and Steve Young. With injuries ailing Montana and Young, Steve would step into the starting lineup in 1991 leading San Fransisco to a 5-1 record. This would ignite a brief quarterback controversy between the two signal callers when Montana was traded to Kansas City- but that eventually was squelched by Young’s outstanding play. Bono continued to back up Young through the 1993 season.

In 1994 ironically Bono was traded from the 49ers to the Chiefs- again to back up Joe Montana under head Marty Schottenheimer. After the 1994 season concluded, Montana retired and Bono was given the keys to the franchise. The following two seasons of 1995 and 96, became the most prolific of his Steve’s career. He’d lead the Chiefs to a 13-3 record, throwing for 3121 yards, 21 touchdowns and only 10 picks in 1995, earning a ProBowl nomination at the end of the season.  In 1996, Bono would go 8-5 in a largely down season with 12 touchdowns to 13 picks. After the 1996 season, Bono signed with the Packers backing up Brett Favre for 1997.  He’d then move on to St. Louis in 1998, ending his career after the 1999 season  as Steve Beuerlein‘s back up in Carolina.

Bono was one of the best 3rd string quarterbacks in the league, posting a 28-14 career record over 14 seasons. He also had a 76 yard touchdown run in 1995 which was an NFL record at the time (since eclipsed by Kordell Stewart’s 80 yard gallop). It’s even more amazing because Bono was a career 2.1 yards per carry rusher. Currently Steve is a financial advisor, and is a golf nut. He also volunteers his time with the National Kidney Foundation.

G/Gs  88/42      Att  1701    Comp 934       Yds 10439         Pct   54.9      Td 62      Int 42      Rat   75.3   |
Rush  125   Yds 257     Avg 2.1    Td 7      lg  76t