Tag Archives: los angeles rams

AFL, CFL, NFL, wfl, WLAF

Stephenson, Kay

Card: ProSet 1991, ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: In Person 1992, San Antonio Riders v. Sacramento Surge

Kay Stephenson would get his break playing backup quarterback in the AFL for the San Diego Chargers in 1967 and the Bills in 1968. Stephenson played in the WFL and was the starting quarterback in the first game of the league’s existence for the Jacksonville Sharks. In 1975 he’d be named player personnel director and offensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Express. After the WFL  folded he’d be hired on by legendary coach Chuck Knox to be an assistant coach of the Los Angeles Rams where he’d follow Knox to the Buffalo Bills, becoming a member of Knox’s coaching tree.

Stephenson was named head coach of the Buffalo Bills in 1983, replacing Knox who was hired by the Seattle Seahawks. He is most notable in his stint as the man behind the Bills helmet color change from white to red. It is rumored that the reason behind this was a need to differentiate the Bills from the rest of their division to help the team cut down on interceptions. (At that time the Patriots, Dolphins and Colts all had white helmets.) After an ignominious debut with the Bills where the team posted a  10-26 record, Kay would be fired in 1986. He’d actually be selling real estate when the  WLAF approached him in 1990 to coach the Sacramento Surge. While the team had a rough inaugural season- Stephenson would guide the team in its second season to a World Bowl II with a dynamic offense led by former NFLer David Archer.  After their thrilling victory over the Riders– I got Kay’s autograph on his two cards as they were leaving the locker room. I remember quite distinctly that he smoked like a chain smoker.

After the WLAF folded, he’d hop over to the Sacramento Gold Miners of the CFL to coach there for the 1993 and 1994 season. Stephenson during his time with the Gold Miners would post a 16-19-1 record before the franchise relocated to San Antonio and renamed itself the Texans. With the Texans the team posted a  12-6 record and qualified for the playoffs, but lost in the semi-finals. With the disbanding of the other CFLUSA teams after the 1995 season, Kay would find himself in the assistants’ chair again until he was promoted to head coach for the Edmonton Eskimos for the 1998 season where he resigned after a 9-9 season. Interesting tidbit about Stephenson is that he has been involved with 5 teams that experienced major downturns, contractions, or all together folded (Surge, Goldminers, Texans, Express, and Sharks). Below are his WLAF coaching statistics:

G 20    W  11     L   9     T  0     Pct .555

NFL

Washington, James “Drive-By”

Card: GameDay 1992
Acquired: In Person 1993, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

James McArthur Washington was originally a 5th round pick of the then Los Angeles Rams in 1988 out of UCLA.  He’d play two seasons for the team as a backup, suiting up in 25 games and making one pick. In 1990 Washington would sign Plan B with the Dallas Cowboys. I’d swear that he was the Dallas Cowboy who first wore the dew rag on the team- frequently sporting a black one across his head that made him look like a ninja samurai headhunting safety. Playing for the Cowboys he would enjoy his greatest success allowed to roam the secondary as a starter at strong safety and occasionally at free safety, pulling in a career high 113 tackles in 1991 and 5 interceptions in 1994. SuperBowl XXVIII (1993) would be his finest hour where he’d make an interception, recover a fumble for a touchdown and make a team high 11 tackles. Even though Washington was considered for the MVP honor, he eventually lost out to Emmitt Smith for the honor. In 1995 he’d sign as a free agent with the rival Redskins, where he’d start 12 games making 2 interceptions before he retired after 7 seasons.

James works for Fox Sports Radio and net, founded and works with Shelter 37, Inc., and was named in 2010 as the Assistant Director of Alumni Giving at UCLA.

G/Gs  114/70    Tac  458    Sac 0    Fum 7    Int   17   Yds   187   Td   0   Lg  38

NFL

Brown, Ron

Card: Score 1989 Speedburner
Acquired: In Person 1990, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Al Davis loves himself some speed and this is always evident in the fleet wide receivers he signs. A prime example was Plan B signee Ron Brown from the then across town Los Angeles Rams. A world class speedster that won the gold medal in the Olympics as part of a 4×100 relay that set the record with Carl Lewis, Ron would also finish fourth in the 100 meters.

Originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns, Brown ended up on the Rams in 1984, basically replacing speedster Drew Hill. He worked primarily at receiver until the following year when his skills were applied at kick returning,- a position he’d excel at averaging an incredible 32.8 yards per return and 3 touchdowns. He’d tie an NFL record with 2 kick off returns for touchdowns against Green Bay. Ron was named All Pro that season and to the Pro Bowl following the season in 1985. He continued to see success primarily as a returner from there on for the rest of his time,  and had a career high 521 yards receiving in 1987. He’d retire momentarily again in 1988 to train for the Olympics, but quickly returned to the Rams that season. Over his career he’d be an all purpose man for the Rams finishing with a bit over 5800 yards from scrimmage. He’d play one season with Al Davis and the Raiders, where they tried to convert his speed to defensive back, but again returned to the Rams in 1991, retiring at the age of 30.

G/Gs 100/32   Rec 98    Yds  1791    Avg   18.3   Td  13   Lg 65  |
Rt  199     Yds 4439     Avg 22.6       Td 4     Lg 89T