Card: Proset WLAF 1991
Acquired: In Person 1992, San Antonio Riders v Birmingham Fire
At 6-3, 239, Mark Ledbetter was a rangy tweener from Washington State who saw playing time at a variety of positions along the line in college. A jarring hitter, he once broke an opponent’s jaw during a game.
Signed as a free agent by the New Orleans Saints in 1990, Mark was eventually drafted by the Riders in 1991. Ledbetter would end up playing both outside linebacker and defensive end for San Antonio, where he’d finish third on the team on tackles with 35 solo stops, and second on the team with 6 sacks. San Antonio coaches loved to move Mark around the Riders’ defensive alignment to create mismatches and overloads. He was considered the team’s (91) best overall defender.
In 1992, Ledbetter was named second team All World League as he made 5 sacks. Ledbetter finished as the franchise’s all time leader in sacks with 11. After the WLAF reorganized in 1992, Mark joined the Sacramento Goldminers during the CFL’s ill fated attempt to expand into the United States, and then later played with the Birmingham Barracudas in 1995 as a down lineman.
After football it appears that Mark has pursued football coaching and at last glance in 2008 he was coaching high school football on Vashon-Maury Island.
WLAF
Games 20 Tac n/a Sac 11 FF n/a Int 0 Yds 0 Avg -.- Td 0
Earl Campbell won the Heisman in 1977 for the University of Texas and was the definition of ‘powerback’. He could literally run over anybody and anything, once even stunning the Longhorn mascot Bevo after a touchdown run. The Houston Oilers, led by Bum Phillips traded to get the #1 pick of the 1978 draft and selected ‘The Tyler Rose’. They could’ve stopped drafting right there… Campbell would go on to win Rookie of the Year honors and MVP honors, while officially the Luv’ Ya Blu era in Houston had begun. The Oilers became the most difficult opponent for the Pittsburgh Steelers that year, due in major part by the cog that was Earl Campbell. From 1978- 1985 Campbell dominated the rushing charts racking up 5 Pro Bowl selections, 3 All Pro selections, 3 offensive player of the year honors, and NFL MVP in 1979. During his 1980 season Campbell ran for a career high 1934 yards, while over the first 4 years of his career rushed for almost 6500 yards and 55 touchdowns. He punished defenders across the board with his rugged play, but by 1982 it began to take a toll on his body. In 1984 he found himself traded to the New Orleans Saints to play for his old coach and mentor Bum Phillips, where he retired after the 1985 season.