Tag Archives: kansas city chiefs

CFL, NFL, WLAF, XFL

Kiselak, Mike

Card: Ultimate WLAF 1992, Athletes in Action Card
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Work
Sent: 2/14   Received: 4/16 (61 days)

After tryouts with the Giants, Chiefs, and Oilers in 1990, Mike Kiselak, was drafted by the San Antonio Riders in 1991 (4th round) and played both guard and center for the team starting all 10 games blocking for All World League runningback Ricky Blake. At 6’3″, 295, he was the ideal combination of size and power for the Mike Riley‘s run oriented offense. In 1992, Kiselak would return to the Riders for a second year with the team and block for the Riders once again potent rushing attack under Ivory Lee Brown. San Antonio would dominate opponents on the ground and finish with a 7-3 record, but the WLAF would reorganize after the 1992 season.

Mike would be signed by the Sacramento Gold Miners of the CFL and play with them through their transition back to San Antonio to become the Texans in 1995 where he would be a CFL All Star at Center for the team. After the CFL reorganized following the season, Mike was drafted by the Roughriders in the dispersal draft in 1996, but was traded almost immediately in exchange for John Terry, to the Toronto Argonauts. Kiselak would continue to leave his mark, winning multiple offensive lineman awards and being named the CFL’s Outstanding Lineman in 1996 and 1997.

Mike returned to the NFL in 1998 and play for the Dallas Cowboys, playing in 15 games and starting 7.  He’d retire briefly but return to start for the San Fransisco Demons of the XFL in 2001 before finally finishing his career.

Since retirement Kiselak has become a church minister, a motivational speaker and is on the board of Kids Matters International. I emailed Mike to ask his permission to send this Ultimate 1991 card and while I did wait about 60 days for a response, he he was more than happy to sign the card for me. He also added in one to boot, and inscribed it with the passage from Matt 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

NFL

Dishman, Cris “Dish”

Cards: Game Day 1992, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: TTM 1993, C/o The Houston Oilers
See also: http://n8d.flywheelsites.com/2011/dishman-cris-2/

A Jerry Glanville apostle, Cris Dishman was a fiery and noisy defensive back out of Purdue. Drafted in the 5th round of the 1988 draft, Dishman was considered the Cortland Finnegan of his time-  a trash talking annoyance and dirty player to opposing wide receivers.  Playing both corner and special teams in his rookie season, he  recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown from teammate Eugene Seale.  In 1989, Dishman began to develop making 4 interceptions and blocked 2 punts and a field goal, however Dish had a penchant for self-destructive behavior and personal fouls. Unable to tolerate this behavior from the team and its failure to advance further into the playoffs,  owner Bud Adams fired coach Jerry Glanville. In comes straight laced, no nonsense coach Jack Pardee who converts the defense to a 4-3. These would begin the years of Dishman’s redemption and rebirth.

Dishman would make 4 more interceptions in 1990 and would score 62 tackles along with it, but 1991 would be his year. Named AP and to the Pro Bowl, Dishman would have a streak of 7 games with a turnover. His season totals would be 6 picks, 3 fumble recoveries and 66 tackles.  1992 statistically would be a down year marred by a contract hold out, but he’d again mount another 6 interception season while forcing 4 fumbles in 1993 under defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan.  He was robbed by not receiving a Pro Bowl nod. In 94 as the team would sink, Dishman would return his first interception for a touchdown. He’d notch 4 in 94 and 3 in 95.  The Oilers were eager to resign him, and made him their franchise player, but with frustration mounting Cris would not have a good season in 1996 only pulling down a pick. The Oilers would not opt to resign Dishman after the 1996 season and would sign via free agency with the Washington Redskins.

In 1997, Cris would be named to the Pro Bowl as an alternate. He made 4 picks and 2 fumbles, one of which he’d return for a touchdown.  Dishman would play one more season with the Redskins before moving on to play for the Chiefs for 1999. Dishman would have another good season with 5 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries. He’d return a pick and a fumble improbably against the Raiders for a touchdown in the same game, but the Chiefs would inexplicably not resign the veteran.  Cris would sign with the Vikings and start 9 games making one pick before retiring in 2000.

Dishman has gone into coaching, working his way up from college and currently assists defensive backs with the San Diego Chargers. Definitely most remembered for his time during the third heyday of the Houston Oilers and their twilight years, Dishman was a high risk/ reward corner over his career.  He recorded 8 touchdowns, 43 interceptions, 15 FF and 16 FR over his career.

G/Gs  199/165      Tac  668       Sac 1.5      Fum 15   Int  43      Yds  550        Avg  12.8     Td  3    Lg 49

NFL, usfl

Gossett, Jeff

Cards: Score 1990, Topps 1991
Acquired: In Person 1990,1991, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Jeff Gossett led a very long, consistent, and productive NFL career which actually started back in 1980 after he failed to make the roster of the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent. He’d sign with the Chiefs and be their punter from 1981 to 1982, and then become a journeyman playing for the Browns for a season before hopping over to the USFL. Gossett would play for the Chicago Blitz in 1984, and the Portland Breakers in 1985, then back to the Browns later in 1985 to play for the Browns through 1987. He’d punt for the Oilers as well that year and then finally find a permanent home with the Los Angeles Raiders. Jeff would be named to the Pro Bowl (AP as well) in 1991, and play with the Raiders through their transition back to Oakland in 1996 for a total of 140 games with the Silver and Black. A solid punter, Gossett averaged 44.2 yards a punt in 1991, and 43.9 yards in 1994. Only in 2 out of 16 seasons did Jeff average below 40 yards a punt. Well represented in Tecmo Bowl history, he’d make an appearance in both Tecmo SuperBowl and Tecmo SuperBowl Final Edition, and his 982 punts would rank top 20 upon retirement.

G/Gs 212       Punts 982      Yds 40569       Avg 41.3        Lg  65       Blk  4