Pat saw limited playing time in the Fighting Irish secondary until 1988, when he had 38 total tackles, 2 picks for 84 yards, 2 fumble recoveries and a TD.
He became the leader at Safety in 1989, posting 44 tackles, 9 pass deflections, 5 interceptions for 96 yards, a fumble recovery and a TD.
With a solid sub 4.4 40, Pat was a lock first round pick, selected by the DB needy Los Angeles Rams in 1990.
The Rams deployed Pat eventually at free safety, and he’d play for the franchise through the 1993 season.
After a season with the Jets in 1994, Pat saw a renaissance when he signed with the expansion Carolina Panthers in 95.
In 1995 and 96 he arguably had his best pair of seasons back to back posting 3 interceptions and 60+ tackles in each while playing free safety.
Needing a replacement for departed safety Eugene Robinson, the Packers signed Pat in 1998.
He’d see action in 3 contests, recording a pick, retiring after the season.
NOTES:
Pat is a very successful businessman and owns Terrell Materials Corp, which specializes in large concrete batches. I had failed on him way, way back in 2011, so I was tickled to make him my first success of 2023, especially considering he has such a low rate.
Action Packed was one of my favorite sets when I was younger. I’m now closing in on the last 15 or so of the set that need to be autographed, a mere 33 years later.
Action Packed 1991 Whizzer White Award, #5Topps 1969, #161
CARDS: Action Packed Whizzer White Award 1991, Topps 1969 ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 9/26 RECEIVED: 11/23 (58 days) FAILURE: TTM 2019, C/o Home
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Kermit Alexander played runningback for UCLA from 1960-62.
Posted 708 yards on 128 carries (6 TDs), and caught 32 passes for 508 yards and 2 TDs over college career.
Opting to play for SF over Denver in 1963, the 49ers would utilize Kermit as a return man and DB.
Over 7 seasons in SF, Kermit had 5+ interceptions 5 times, lead the NFL in fumble recoveries twice (5 in ’64 and 8 in ’65) playing all DB positions.
In 1965, he led the NFL in returns (35) and return yardage (741).
At the turn of 1970, Alexander was traded to the LA Rams.
He’d only play two seasons for the franchise, but not before he added 7 more interceptions to his resume, including an 82 yard TD.
Retired after the 1973 season with the Philadelphia Eagles.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1968
Byron Whizzer White Award 1972
NOTES:
I had coveted Kermit on this Action Packed card of his for sometime. After writing him back in 2019 I was surprised to get these cards back unsigned as he had a very good signing track record. I suppose that he may have taken offense to something I wrote in my letter, as I was unaware of his family tragedy.
Later a friend of mine got him through the mail and told me that in his response a family member stated that Kermit was struggling with his memory, so I figured now was as good as any time as any.
James Bostic played RB for three years at Auburn from 1991-’93.
Had a really solid ’93 campaign rushing 199 times for 1206 yards and 12 TDs.
Parlayed his performance into a 3rd round selection of the Los Angeles Rams in 1994.
Didn’t see any playing time, buried on the depth chart until being cut during training camp in ’95.
Spent ’96 on IR with the Packers and ’97 out of football.
In 1998, spent training camp with the Chiefs, then went to the practice squad of the Dolphins, before joining the Eagles roster.
Spent ’99 with the Eagles, working primarily on special teams, but still managed to gain 19 yards on 5 carries.
Out of football in 2000, reemerged in 2001 with the XFL with the Birmingham Bolts.
Ran hard for the team carrying the rock a league leading 153 times.
Had both a 50+ yard run and reception- the only player in the XFL to achieve such a feat.
Lives in Florida and works as a police officer.
Topps 2001 Gridiron Gear, #NNO
NOTES:
James had 14 cards over his career. It’s interesting to note because the vast majority of them appeared in 1994 (11). Then after 6 years, he pops back up in 2001 with 3 more XFL cards. I was super eager to get James on these cards. I was pretty disappointed to send him his XFL promo card and never see that again back in 2019, little less to the same address that I saw a success from later. In the interim I had reloaded and had gotten really lucky, picking up this patch card of him that I later sent to him as well.
XFL 2001
RUSH
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
153
536
3.5
2
56
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
12
172
14.3
0
50
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
