Tag Archives: San Diego Chargers

NFL, University of Texas

Vasher, Nathan ‘The Interceptor’

CARDS: UT Upper Deck 2011 HACK, 2004 Bowman, 2004 Donruss Elite, 2004 Leaf Rookies & Stars RUBY, 2004 Leaf Rookies & Stars, 2004 Upper Deck Sweet Spot, 2006 Topps, 2006 Topps All Pro Relics, 2006 Topps Total, 2006 Topps Turkey Red, 2006 Upper Deck Ultimate
ACQUIRED: 2025, IP- Paid signing

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • 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.

NFL

Holohan, Pete

CARD: Fleer 1990
ACQUIRED: eBay, 2025
FAILURE: TTM 2011, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • 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.

IFL, NFL

Grossman, Burt ‘Big Mouth’

CARD: Fleer 1990, Action Packed 1990, Pro Set 1989
ACQUIRED: eBay, 2025, TTM 2026, C/o Home
SENT: 3/21/26 RECEIVED: 4/9/26 (19 days)
FAILURE: TTM 2021, C/o San Diego Strikeforce

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Burt Grossman rose to prominence as a defensive end for Pitt from 1985-88.
  • A rangy, prototypical defensive lineman, with great speed, Burt was limited in his Senior campaign in ’88 due to an ankle injury.
  • Still managed to post 71 tackles, 7 sacks and 17 quarterback pressures.
  • Highest rated defensive lineman who was selected 8th overall, in the 1989 NFL Draft.
  • Plugged in as a starter at RDE and posted 10 sacks and 60+ tackles in back to back seasons (1989 and 1990).
  • Played for the San Diego Chargers through the ’93 campaign.
  • In 5 seasons, Burt tallied 255 tackles, 38.0 sacks, 3 safeties, and 5 fumbles in 71 games.
  • Signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1994, and tallied 21 tackles and 5.5 sacks, before suffering a career ending neck injury.
  • Afterwards Burt went into TV and media journalism writing for the now defunct “National Football Post” and co-hosting the Eagles Hour.
  • Named HC of the IFL San Diego Strikeforce in 2019.
  • After COVID, Burt did not return to coach the team.

ACCOLADES:

  • Regional Sports Emmy Award 1995

NOTES:

Burt’s not a reliable signer TTM so I went ahead and picked this one up via eBay. Then literally a week or so after I put this post together, he just started signing out of the blue! I ran the Pro Set and the Action Packed out the door as soon as I could, but couldn’t find the Skybox 92. The TTM gods were looking out for me as a half torn, damaged envelope arrived with the two autographs inside.

Despite his injury shortened career ‘Big Mouth’ was a pretty solid DL notching 43.5 sacks in 6 seasons. Burt’s legendary big mouth was chronicled in Sports Illustrated in 1990.