I had tried BJ a few times already without any luck- even delaying posting his original post for a few months hoping I’d get a success back, but no dice. Every once in a while I pull out my stack of failures that were RTSed by the mailman and go through them. I decided to take a closer look at Daniels’ address. I knew he worked at USF but the address was off by just a bit, so I tweaked it and tried again. A bit over two months later he sent me back the autographs and a really nice note on USF stationary thanking me for being a fan.
CARDS: Topps AAF 2019, Topps AAF 2019 Certified ACQURIED: Ebay 2019, IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas v Washington Defenders
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Aussie Brad Wing played Australian Football growing up.
He went to college at LSU from 2012-’13 where he gained notoriety as a punter.
Punted 118 times for 5261 yards and a 44.8 yard average.
At the end of 2012, he was suspended for undisclosed rules- of which Brad admitted was continuous failed drug tests.
After going undrafted in 2013, he spent camp that year with the Philadelphia Eagles.
He’d make the squad of the Steelers the following year and see action punting in all 16 games in 2014.
Traded to the New York Giants in 2015 for a 7th round pick.
Punted for NY for the next 3 seasons and became a fan favorite.
Had a league high 95 punts in 2017, but also a league leading 2 blocks.
Signed with the Memphis Express of the AAF in 2018- for play in the 2019 season.
During the season he’d be cut for unknown reasons.
Over the next few years Brad struggled with mental health and sobriety.
In late 2022, the San Antonio Brahmas selected Wing to play in the XFL23.
He’d see action in all 10 games, and lead the league statistically across the board.
On the season, he had 2010 yards on 42 punts (47.2 yards per punt), and a 72 yard long punt- but was snubbed for All-XFL honors.
Brad signed with the Steelers in 2023, and punted in 2 contests for the team.
He returned to the Brahmas (now in the UFL) in 2024 where he’s a fan favorite.
On the season, he had 35 punts for 1598 yards, a 45.7 yard average, and 12 of those punts dropped inside the 20.
He entered UFL and San Antonio lore when in the 2024 opener he completed a fake punt for 40 yards to Alex Mollette who rumbled in for a TD right before the half against the DC Defenders.
NOTES:
Finally. I got Brad Wing of the Memphis Express (and Brahmas). Mark (MSB) got Brad a while ago through a family address, but I felt that I had other priorities so I waited on this one. When he got signed by the Brahmas I thought it was fortuitous, so I put his card aside. It took the entire season to nab him on his AAF base card, even though he was very friendly with fans.
When Brad was snubbed for the All XFL team in ’23 I ranted about it on Twitter. His family liked my post and agreed with me.
His father, Dave, played professionally in the NFLE for the Scottish Claymores.
Reggie Rucker played college ball at Boston University as a WR and PR.
Undrafted in 1969, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys.
He’d be buried on the depth chart, spending time on and off the taxi squad while recovering from injury.
Cut in 1971, he spent about a month on the Giants.
Broke into the starting lineup with the Patriots in 1972, after signing with the team in late ’71.
Rucker became an impact player for Cleveland after being traded to the Browns in 1975.
Led the league among wide receivers that year with a career high 60 catches.
Had best season in ’78 with 43 receptions for 893 yards and 8 TDs.
Retired in 1982 due to lingering knee injuries.
ACCOLADES:
Boston University HOF 1978
NOTES:
An argument could be made that Reggie Rucker could’ve been the proto Bo Jackson of the 70s. A letterman in FOUR sports, Reggie didn’t just letter- he was damn good at both football and baseball. He had that X-factor that allowed him to make big plays on the big stage when the team needed it most. His stats are also heavily impacted by the ‘dead ball era’ of football during the ’70s.
Rucker has had a controversial career since retirement. He went into broadcasting and was considered an up and coming personality in the ranks, but his image was tarnished after he was caught fabricating a story. Eventually his role was diminished so much that eventually he left the profession all together.
(Now, it seems like a big deal maybe, but keep in mind, in this day and age, there are plenty of color commentators who have been busted fabricating talking to the coach during halftime that have just shrugged it off and continue on.)
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
447
7065
15.8
44
69
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
