German born Werner Hippler is considered a home grown Football Legend.
Played college ball at Sacramento State at TE from 1992-’94.
In ’95 played for the Frankfurt Galaxy catching 2 passes for 6 yards and 2 TDs.
Spent two seasons on the practice squad of the San Diego Chargers.
During that period returned to Frankfurt, playing for the Galaxy through the 2000 campaign.
Also played for the GFL Cologne Red Barons/ Crocodiles as well.
In 1999 caught a career high 34 passes for 341 yards for the Galaxy.
After going through camp with the Detroit Lions, played with the Las Vegas Outlaws of the XFL 2001 catching a pass for 6 yards.
Returned to the NFLE playing for the Galaxy through the ’03 season.
In 2004, had a change of scenery, and played for the Cologne Centurions.
He’d catch 18 passes for 128 yards and a TD over the next 4 seasons before the league ended.
ACCOLADES:
All World League 1999-’00
NOTES:
Hippler all in all played in 12 football seasons and played in more games than any other player in NFLE history. He’s gotten a few bit roles in movies, and runs a security company. He’s also been involved with the GFL and the Hamburg Huskies.
Dangerous DB and return man Nathan Vasher played college ball at Texas from 2000-’03.
He tied the school record, notching 17 picks and had 64 pass deflections over his college career.
Also set the school mark with 1,314 punt return yards and 2 TDs.
Selected in the 4th round of the 2004 draft by the Chicago Bears.
After the first month of the season, established himself as a starter in the defensive secondary.
Led the NFC in 2005 with 8 picks, and returned a missed field goal 108 yards for a TD.
In 2006 injuries began to impact his playing time- a theme throughout the remainder of his career.
Signed with the Chargers in 2010, before heading over to the Detroit Lions, finishing his career there in 2011.
Over his 7 year career, Vasher started 51 of 87 games, and posted 193 total tackles, and 20 picks for 368 yards and 2 TDs.
From 2011-’20, Vash built up his coaching resume and skills at the high school and college level.
ACCOLADES:
Texas Hall of Honor 2017
Pro Bowl 2005
Second Team All Pro 2005
NOTES:
I went all out for a paid signing of Lifetime Longhorn Nathan Vasher. He doesn’t sign TTM ever so to see something pop of him nearby I jumped out of my seat to go. I had also just finished his UT Upper Deck 2011 HACK card so it seemed fortuitous for the event to happen.
Then it got complicated. My friend couldn’t go so he stacked his needs on my needs. He doesn’t like black sharpies. Also I absolutely hate driving downtown for signings. Like 6th street bar… finding parking etc… Then it seemed that Vasher was cool with signing a few, but not signing all. In the end he did so graciously- but only in black, so that became an issue. The host didn’t really give me a great deal, and with my phone about to die, I just had to eat the costs. That being said Nate really did like his UT card I did of him.
The promoter also really liked my UT HACK card so we traded some cards in order to make that happen. He told me his daughter really likes UT branded cards and since Vasher really didn’t have one that she’d really like that. (Later I saw him post the card on a buy, sell, trade group on Facebook…)
With all these autographs in mind, I’m done with the hunt for Nathan Vasher, pretty much knocking out all his cards at once in one fell swoop.
Pete Holohan switched from QB to TE at Notre Dame playing there from 1977-’81.
In 32 contests, Pete caught 63 passes for 983 yards and 2 TDs.
7th round choice of the San Diego Chargers.
For much of his career in the Air Coryell offense, Holohan played second fiddle to AP TE Kellen Winslow.
Although he started very few games, in 1984, Holohan caught a 54 passes for a career high 734 yards and a TD.
Joined the Los Angeles Rams in 1988, where he caught passes from ascending QB Jim Everett.
The three years spent with the Rams would be the 3 most consecutive productive seasons of Holohan’s career.
Caught a career high 59 passes in ’88 for 640 yards and 3 TDs.
Then another 510 yards on 51 receptions (2 TDs) in 1989.
After the 1990 season, in which Pete caught 49 passes for 475 yards and 2 TDs, he signed with the Chiefs.
Caught 13 passes for 113 yards and 2 TDs for KC.
Played one final season in Cleveland in 1992 catching 20 passes for 174 yards.
ACCOLADES:
Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame
NOTES:
I was a big LA Rams fan back in the 80s and I loved the Ernie Zampese days with Jim Everett at the helm. It seemed like they were the only ones who could challenge the 49ers domination. Anyway, I played fantasy football as a kid even back then with newspapers and magazines- and I even knew back then Pete was a solid but vastly underrated TE.
I’ve been trying to find Pete for years, but trusting in the fact I haven’t seen him sign TTM, I jumped at this Fleer 90 to add to the collection. He’s got quite a few nice cards, but many of them are very expensive autographed so I consider myself very lucky.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
