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.
Defensive Tackle who played both ways while at college for the Minnesota Golden Gophers from 1961-1963.
Selected in the first round of the 1964 Draft by the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL and the Buffalo Bills of the AFL- but opted to sign with the Vikings where he was used at Defensive End.
Famed member of the Minnesota Vikings front four, “The Purple People Eaters”.
Had a career high 15 sacks in 1969 and 1977.
Had a run of 7 seasons with 10 or more sacks.
Finished his career in Minnesota as the franchises’ all-time leader in sacks with 130.5.
Played one final year in 1979 for the Seattle Seahawks, adding 3 more sacks to his career total.
Carl played in a total of 225 games (starting 209).
ACCOLADES:
NFL Pro Bowl 1968-1971, 1973, 1974
1st Team All-Pro 1968-1971, 1973
2nd Team All-Pro 1967, 1972
College Football Hall of Fame 2006
Pro Football Hall of Fame 2004
Vikings 40th Anniversary Team
Vikings 50th Anniversary Team
Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor
NFL Defensive Player of the Year 1971
North Carolina Sports HoF
NOTES:
Carl after football spent time as a substance abuse counselor and has worked championing human rights for people of color.
A simply beautiful card here of Carl proving there was no shortage of short supply of great sports action photography during the 70s. Instead of dropping $20-30 dollars on a certified autographed card, I opted to send directly through him instead for a fraction of the cost.
This is an absolutely terrible card of Dennis. They could have actually airbrushed his face a bit more, but instead he looks like a craggily zombie with that green filter. Dennis has a pretty interesting coaching tree under him that includes Jim Zorn, Tommy Tuberville, Dan Quinn, Ed Orgeron, and Jim Mora Jr.
W
L
T
PCT
40
56
0
.417
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
