Card: Ultimate World League 1991 Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Prison Sent: 5/9 Received: 5/18 (9 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Eric Naposki played college football at UConn where he excelled as a hard hitting outside linebacker.
In 1988, as a street free agent, he literally slipped onto the Patriots, by sneaking a number from a registration table, getting a tryout and then later making the final cuts.
Appeared on special teams in 3 games, but injuries derailed his career from continuing forward.
Eric went on to sign with the Colts Cowboys and the Jets, but did not see significant playing time.
Experienced his greatest success after joining the Barcelona Dragons of the World League of American Football in 1991.
In his first season with the team, Naposki recorded 51 total tackles, an interception for a TD, 2 forced fumbles, and 7 sacks.
Was arguably one of the most popular players on the team and even had his own fan club thanks in part to his Spanish fluency.
Upon returning stateside injuries again prevented him from moving forward, although he was in camp with the Washington Redskins.
Returned to the Dragons in 1992 but the league reorganized after the season.
Retired later that year after injuries continued to dog him, this time in camp with the Seattle Seahawks.
After a few years off, Naposki returned to the Dragons in 1996, winning World Bowl 97.
TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
N/a
16.5
N/a
1
27
27.0
1
27t
ACCOLADES:
Barcelona Dragons Hall of Fame
NOTES:
As this was a first for me, it should be noted, that yes, I wrote Eric in prison for his autograph. While this may seem wrong to many, I do not presume to give fame to him or the crimes that were committed in regards to this case- rather my solicitation for his signature is an attempt by me to frame a certain time in our lives when things were more simple and innocent.
Eric wrote me a long and impassioned letter on multiple slips of paper talking to me about the time he played in the World League. He also included a copy of these copies of his accomplishments from his playing days, and thanked me for writing him. Erik was convicted of murder in 2012, and received life without parole. The case itself is not without its warts, as he was convicted on purely circumstantial evidence, and a loss of exculpatory evidence, partially due to a delay in the prosecution of the case. -He has always maintained his innocence. Currently his case is under investigation by a 501 nonprofit legal organization
that is committed to exonerating individuals who claim to have been wrongly convicted. From what I understand he also passes the time working as a member of the California Wildfire Inmate team.
I am not sure if Eric’s card is an error card or not as it spells his name Erik, and so does the Barcelona Dragons article above, however in most media it is spelled Eric.
Cards: Pro Set 1989, Game Day1992 Acquired: TTM 2021, C/o Home Sent: 4/22 Received: 5/14 (22 Days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Bill Pickel played college ball at Rutgers where he honed his unique quick set 4 point stance playing all along the line.
He ranks sixth in career sacks (16) as well as 10th on the career unassisted tackles list with 160 for the Scarlet Knights.
Selected in the 2nd Round of the 1983 draft by the Los Angeles Raiders who employed him at both DT and NT over his career.
Enjoyed 3 consecutive double digit sack seasons from 84-86.
Played 7 seasons for the Raiders (83-90) logging 53 sacks and 454 tackles.
Moved closer to home and played for Jets from 90-93 to finish out career.
TAC
SAC
FUM REC
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
576
56.0
11
0
0
-.-
0
-.-
ACCOLADES:
Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame 1986
NFL All-Rookie Team 1983
NFL All-Pro 1986
Pro Set 1989, #190
NOTES:
When I got Tecmo Bowl as a kid I did not think that ‘Pickle’ was a real player on the Raiders. My friends and I always got a kick out of sacking each other as Bill. He also made an appearance on the TV show Home Improvement during the 90s. To keep himself busy now, Bill coaches the defense of a HS football team and works in private aviation.
Recorded 379 tackles and 5 sacks playing for the Buckeyes from 1982-1985.
New York Giants 2nd Round pick out of Ohio State in 1986 who was penciled in to play inside linebacker replacing Harry Carson.
Equally adept dropping into pass coverage or laying down the wood on opposing ball carriers.
Giants leading tackler in 1988, 1990-1992.
Pepper joined the Cleveland Browns in 1993, reuniting him with former Giants defensive coordinator Bill Belichick, who used him at both inside and outside linebacker.
Johnson led the Browns in tackles with 207 in 1994, and 195 in 1995.
Went on to play for the Lions (96), and Jets (97/98).
Joined coaching staff of the Patriots in 2000 as a positional coach, and coached there through 2013.
Later Pepper coached for the Bills (14), Jets (15/16), in the AAF with the Memphis Express (2019), and briefly with the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL (2020).
In 2021 Pepper coached for IMG Academy in Florida.
Topps AAF 2019 #78
ACCOLADES:
Pepper is a two time Pro Bowler (90/94).
First team All-Pro (90).
Two time Super Bowl champion as player (XXI, XXV).
Three time Super Bowl champion as coach (XXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX)
NOTES:
Pepper’s given name is Thomas. His nickname came from his habit of sprinkling pepper on his cereal as a child.
Pepper’s time in the XFL as a defensive coach lasted just one game as defensive coordinator of the Wildcats in 2020. He was fired after the team allowed 4 TD passes against the Houston Roughnecks in their season opener.
TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
1030
25.5
3
14
188
13.4
2
39T
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
