Devastating long bomb threat and speedy receiver, Flipper Anderson was a second round pick of the Los Angeles Rams out of UCLA in 1988.
In 1989, had a whopping 44 catches for 1146 yards and 5 TDs.
His 28 yards per catch was second in NFL history (behind Warren Wells) for a player with a minimum of 40 catches.
During 1990 season, when Henry Ellard was sidelined for a game, Flipper became QB Jim Everett‘s primary receiver against the Saints.
Set an NFL record by catching 15 passes for 336 yards in that game.
Had 51 catches for 1083 yards and 7 TDs (21.0 YPR) in 1990.
Played for the Rams through the 1994 season.
Went into the journeyman phase of his career quickly, playing for the Colts (’95), Redskins (’96), and Broncos (’97) but saw little action.
Lives in Georgia where he’s currently a high school basketball referee.
ACCOLADES:
NFL RECORD- Single game yards receiving (336)
NFL Leader Yards Per Reception (1989, ’90)
Fleer 1990, #33
NOTES:
I failed on Flipper so many times I pretty much gave up. TTM he didn’t respond to me twice, but responded randomly to others. Then I paid for a consignment and shipped my cards out to get him, but I wasn’t able to get him that way either- though I suspect the consigner more than anyone. (What a mess that was.) My buddy Brian got him on two cards and decided to send me one, so I held onto this Score 92 forever, thinking about these sour grapes. Finally in 2023, I was able to pick up a respectable Fleer 90 that I wanted, so I decided to go ahead and put this post together.
Flipper has like 4 other cards I still need him on. His Pro Set 1990 is an infamous photo of him scoring the final TD against the New York Giants eliminating them from the playoffs in ’89.
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.
Played C and blocked up front for one of the league’s better ground games.
After the AAF folded, Brian was selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL in 2020.
With COVID scrambling the XFL before the season concluded, Brian stayed in playing shape.
In 2023, was selected by the Arlington Renegades of the XFL 3.0.
Has been dabbling in coaching since COVID and in the XFL offseason works as an OL coach for Wingate University in North Carolina.
NOTES:
I was partially miffed and shocked at how many Commanders and former AAFers ended up with the Renegades in 2023. I packed a bunch of Renegade players cards along with my Kenneth Farrow’s, and while Kenneth was signing, both Brian and De’Vante Bausby came over to pay high respects to my Farrow Commanders jersey. I was extremely flattered.
Later my neighbors with me at the game, got field passes for after the game to wander around. They had enough for 5, and invited me, so I said, “Why not?” I rushed the field for a few autographs, and saw Brian standing there with his family taking photos. He was gracious enough to sign his card, take a photo with me, and talk about the Alliance and the Commanders with me. (He also agreed that the league was second to none as far as entertainment was concerned.)
After the game I posted this photo up on Twitter. (I didn’t realize how nice the Renegades icy whites look up close.) He also retweeted it and again had nothing to say but high praises of the Commanders faithful.
With the Commanders gone and the Brahmas reeling, the Renegade players were doing their hardest sell to adopt me.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
