Tag Archives: kansas city chiefs

College Football HoF, NFL, Pro Football HoF

Lott, Ronnie

ronnie lott

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1991
Acquired:  In Person, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp 1992

Ronnie Lot scared the hell out of me. A large and intimidating force, I guess he’s what we’d almost call, -a method actor for football. Ronnie Lott was an amazing defensive player for the University of Southern California under head coach John Robinson. Drafted in the first round of the 1981 draft by the 49ers, Lott started his career as a cornerback and returned 3 thefts for touchdowns in that season alone. (He would finish #2 to Lawrence Taylor for the RotY honors that year.) His flexibility and speed in the secondary allowed Lott would move to Free Safety in 1985, – a position he’d remain at for the majority of his career. A ferocious hitter, Ronnie had a nose for the ball and went over 100 tackles 3 times in his career. He was equally adept at intercepting the pass. As a rare ‘total package’ he led the league in interceptions twice in his career. With the advent of free agency in 1991 he bolted for the Silver and Black where he played an additional two seasons playing for the Jets and signing with the Chiefs before signing a 1 day contract with the 49ers to retire.

Lott was a 10 time Probowler at the time of his retirement, 8 time first team AP, 4 time Superbowl champion, part of the 80s and 90s NFL teams, and the NFL 75th anniversary team. After retirement he has been involved in NFL telecasting both in the booth and as a commentator and a private equity management. He was inducted into the Pro Football HoF in 2000.

I got Ronnie’s autograph when the Raiders visited the Cowboys training camp in 1992. Josh and me found out where the Raiders hotel was so we went and staked it out. The players once they got off the bus would go and change in their minuscule dressing room that resembled a storage barn and then go inside. It was in transition between the hotel and the dressing room that Josh and I would haul in a virtual smörgåsbord of Raider players and talent. Ronnie came out and walked towards us undeterred. I approached Ronnie and said, “Mr. Lott, can I trouble you for an autograph.”  He responded to me with his trademark furrowed angry brow football growl, “Didn’t I sign one for you already?” In response I stuttered, “N-n-no sir.” He then sort of growled at me and signed the card and kept going. Josh then revealed he had gotten one from him earlier in the week and I had taken the heat for him because apparently we looked alike.

Games 192     Tac  1113       Sac 8.5       FF 17
Int 63        Yds 730        Avg  11.6          Td  5         lg 83t

NFL, WLAF

Sullivan, Kent


Card: Ultimate WLAF 1991
Acquired: In Person, Houston Oiler Training Camp 1993.

Kent punted for the San Antonio Riders in both 1991 and 1992 booming a career high 72 yarder in 1991.  A fairly accurate punter- Sullivan dropped 28 punts behind the 20. In 1992 Kent threw a touchdown off of a fake punt for 22 yards and ranked third in the league in punting. After the league reorganized, Sullivan became a journeyman punter over the next few years. Houston utilized him as a replacement for Greg Montgomery briefly when Montgomery held out and then stepped in for KC and SD again before returning to Houston again. All in all Sullivan played for 4 teams over a two year period and attended training camp with a variety of teams before finally retiring after losing the open punting competition in Washington with Matt Turk after 1995.

Riders   Games 20    Punts  105          Yds 4171          Avg  39.7        TB 10     in20  28      LG 72       Blk 2

AFL, NFL, Pro Football HoF

Stenerud, Jan

Cards: Proset 1991, Topps 1970, Memorabilia.
Acquired: In person, CGA Youth Golf Tournament 1993. TTM, 1993.

Back in 1993 I went to the CGA Youth Golf Tournament in Austin, Tx with one mission in mind: get as many football player autographs as possible. I would not be disappointed. Jan Stenerud was one of the many players that I got on that 3 day bonanza that I made a drawing for. He signed the Topps 1970 and the Pro Set Hall of Fame card I got. (He is probably one of the tannest white people I have ever met.) Later much like Dick Anderson, I received a letter in the mail thanking me for my drawing and encouraging me to continue with art from Jan. He also sent me a personalized piece of memorabilia. It was quite a surprise and very nice of him.

Jan was born in Norway and came to the United States on a ski jumping scholarship for Montana State. When coaches saw his ability to kick the football, he was quickly put on the football team. In 1965 utilizing a soccer style kick, he put a 59 yarder through the uprights in what was a college football record at the time. Stenerud would go on to play for the Chiefs in the AFL as one of the first pure place kickers. His career spanned 3 decades (60s, 70s, and 80s) and 3 teams (Chiefs, Packers, and Vikings). A two time AFL All Star,  4 time Pro Bowler,  7 time All Pro, both in the NFL and Packers and Chiefs HOF, and on the NFL 75th All-Time Team, Stenerud was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1991 as the first ‘pure’ kicker. Jan still retains strong ties with his native country, and has been recently involved with a firm that designs arenas and sports stadiums.

G 263     FG 373     FGA 558   XP 580   XPA  601   Pts   1699