CARDS: Topps 1992, Topps 1991, Topps Stadium Club 1992 ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 8/22 RECEIVED: 8/27 (5 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Roger Ruzek played K at tiny Weber State (’79-’82), where he set NCAA Division I-AA records for field goal accuracy (84.2), and school career records in FG (46), FG in a game (4), and consecutive XP (30).
Unable to beat out Matt Bahr in Cleveland as an UDFA in 1983, Ruzek joined the New Jersey Generals in 1984.
He played 2 seasons for the franchise before the league folded.
In ’86 he got a tryout with the Cowboys but didn’t latch onto the team until the following season after a few bumps.
Ruzek ended up posting 22 of 25 on FGs, scoring 92 points.
Tied NFL record with 4 FG in 1 quarter against the New York Giants that year.
Set franchise mark with 5 FGs made against the Rams that year.
In ’88 had a contract holdout, but had a rough year- and was eventually cut during the ’89 season in favor of Luis Zendejas.
Quickly found a home with the rival Eagles that year, and returned to solid form.
The Eagles opted to keep Ruzek and he’d kick with the team through 1993.
During the ’93 season, the Eagles signed Matt Bahr after Ruzek strained a hamstring.
Ruzek again replaced Bahr, later in that season, and then again was released in ’94 as the Eagles opted to go with Eddie Murray.
With a cup of coffee out of the way with the ‘9ers in ’94, Ruzek played Arena ball with the San Jose Sabrecats in 1995.
He then hopped over to London to play in his final season for the Monarchs of the World League in 1996- making 8 of 11 FGs.
NOTES:
Back when I was a kid, I played a lot of soccer. When I started watching football I was all about the kicker. I was surprised, the guy who scored the most points, who had the most pressure on them to win games, didn’t get more love. On the Cowboys, (since that’s all we got here,) I really liked Ruzek, and was surprised the team didn’t stick by him longer during his later struggles with the team. He also made an appearance on the original Tecmo Bowl as a member of the Dallas ‘Wings’.
I had no clue that Ruzek had played for the World League. If I had known that I would have written him sooner. It’s just too bad all he had to sign with was a ball point pen. Regardless he was the shortest wait of 2022 coming in at a breakneck 5 days.
Set 5 NCAA collegiate passing records while quarterbacking for UC Davis while throwing for 7601 yards and 68 TDs in college career.
Finalist for Harlon Hill Trophy in 1999.
1999 5th round pick of the Tennessee Titans.
Joined NFLE in 2000, playing for the Scottish Claymores leading the franchise to the World Bowl.
Set NFLE mark with a 107.3 QB rating.
Returned to the NFL but was on and off the rosters of the Titans, Chargers, Falcons, and 49ers through 2001.
Resigned with the Titans in 02, and was allocated to the NFLE.
Played 2002 with the Amsterdam Admirals.
Set NFLE record with 30 career TD passes.
Signed with the AFL, playing with the San Jose Sabrecats in 2003, and the Albany Firebirds in 2004.
Has seen extensive stints at the college level, enjoying a season in the UFL as the WRs coach of the Omaha Nighthawks in 2011.
As of 2022, is head coach of Dartmouth.
Bowman 2000 Chrome, #157
NOTES:
Kevin didn’t have a shortage of cards, but I really wanted to get his NFLE entries autographed. Unfortunately the only ones he had in the league were Claymores cards. Still nice grab C/o Dartmouth.
CARD: Pro Set WLAF 1991 ACQUIRED: 2021, Gift FAILURE: TTM 2015 & 2018, C/o Home
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Converted from tight end to offensive tackle while playing for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.
Saw playing time significantly increase during Senior campaign playing both ways at both OT and DE in ’88.
Joined the LA Rams in 1990, but was released before the season.
Second round selection of the London Monarchs of the WLAF in the 1991 positional draft.
Solid pass blocker, who helped Monarchs grade out as the best offensive line in the league.
After completing second tour in WLAF, joined Seattle Seahawks for the 1992 campaign, suiting up for 10 games.
In 1993, played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Returned to World League in 1996, playing another season with the Frankfurt Galaxy.
Closed out career with the San Jose Sabrecats of the Arena League, playing both OL/DL in 1996 and 1997.
ACCOLADES:
2nd Team All-World League 1991
NOTES:
I couldn’t understand why Theo Adams failed to respond to me on the two separate occasions I sent out to him in 2015 and 2018, but one of my friend who collects WLAF autographs, Corey, came through with extra autographs of this card, and kindly packaged this up and sent it to me. Unfortunately he’s dropped off of social media. I hope he’s doing well.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
