Tag Archives: starpics 1991

Hill, Randal ‘Thrill’

Gameday 1992, #212

CARDS: Star Pics 1991, Action Packed Rookies 1991, Action Packed Rookies 1992, Gameday 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2017, C/o Home. TTM 2021, C/o Home
SENT: 9/19/2017 RECEIVED: 7/13/2024 (2489 days)
SENT: 2/1/2021 RECEIVED: 2/22/2021 (21 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Randal Hill converted from DB to WR in college playing for the Miami Hurricanes from 1988-’90.
  • He caught 107 passes for 1643 yards and 11 TDs, while also returning 54 kickoffs for 1169 yards.
  • A first round choice of the Miami Dolphins in 1991.
  • Traded to the Phoenix Cardinals early on during the season for a first round pick in 1992.
  • Had a career high 58 catches for 861 yards and 3 TDs in 1992.
  • After 1993 season, signed with the Miami Dolphins, playing for them through 1996.
  • Played a final season in New Orleans in 1997, catching 55 passes for 761 yards and 2 TDs.
  • Caught career long 89 yard game winning TD against Chicago in ’97 .
  • Signed with Chicago in 1998 but didn’t make the squad and opted to retire.
  • Worked in law enforcement after retirement, and dabbled in politics.
Star Pics 1992, #17

NOTES:

Randal had been on my list for years and I sent out to him in 2017. Never getting him back, I tried again 3 years later and got him on three set needs: Action Packed Rookies 1991, ’92, and his Gameday card. I assumed that the mail gods had eaten my previous attempt back in ’17.

Well lo and behold to my surprise waiting for me at my in-laws house was this envelope. Among them was two more Action Packed Rookies cards and the original Star Pics card from 2017.

Earlier this year Paxton Lynch took the number two spot on my longest waits, and now it looks like this one dethrones it by a little over 100 days.

RECYDSAVGTDLG
262384914.71489

Clark, Vince ‘Vinnie’

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1991, Star Pics 1991, GameDay 1992
Acquired: TTM 2016, C/o Home
Sent:  8/6/16   Received:  10/25/18      (810 days)

Vinnie Clark was a member of The Ohio State University from 1988 to 1990. He impressed peers in 1990 when he posted 51 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, and 6interceptions for 51 yards- which led the Big 10 Conference.  An athletic cornerback with sub 4.35 speed, Vinnie was the 19th player selected overall in 1991 by the Green Bay Packers. 

Vinnie played for the Packers from 1991 to 1992. During his time with the Pack, he recorded 15 starts, 4 interceptions, and 68 combined tackles. He joined the Falcons in 1993, and then late in 1994 joined the New Orleans Saints. This turned out oddly to be his best season as a pro, as he had 5 interceptions for 149 yards, 2 forced fumbles, and 73 total tackles.

Clark was selected by the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995. He’d start every game for the franchise, and record the first interception in the history of the franchise (albeit in the preseason). He’d finish 1995 with 1 interception and 66 tackles. He’d be released 4 games into 1996 and retire. 

He’s done a lot of coaching since then, briefly popping up in the Arena league coaching for the Columbus Destroyers. Vinnie is doing well currently as of this post, and is coaching High School Football in Ohio.

Well an obvious set need with the Action Packed 1991 Rookies card, but the GameDay 1992 and the Star Pics cards also found a home close to my heart. Vinnie had a lot of cards to choose from, and these really stood out to me. The Star Pics one just had this garish 1990s feel to it with the montage of footballs in the background/ His uniform with the oversized pads and numbers felt encompassing of the era. Vinnie’s GameDay card is an outstanding action entry. I really like how his whole body is squashed down into the canvas area and compliments the design quite nicely.

I saw a lot of successes for Vinnie fly by while I waited patiently for these cards to return. I had given up on them after a year or so, but Clark must have finally reached the bottom of his mail bag with my cards down there and decided to sign them after a scant 810 days.

G/GSTACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDLG
83/592800.031333525.7074

Valerio, Joe

Cards: StarPics 1991, Wild Card WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o www.joe73.com
Sent: 8/27/10    Received: 8/18/11  (356 days)

Originally selected by the Chiefs in the 2nd round of the 1991 draft along with Harvey Williams (1st) and Tim Barnett (3rd) Joe Valerio was a small school product out of Pennsylvania that made waves at the combine with his 6-5, 292 frame. A two time NCAA I-AA All-American he’d be allocated by the Chiefs to the WLAF for the 1992 season.

The Chiefs -pleased with the progress of linebacker Tracy Simien, felt that Joe would be a good fit in the World League. He’d get valuable starting time with the Birmingham Fire, under head coach Chan Gailey, blocking for quarterback Mike Norseth and runningback Elroy Harris that season as the team made the playoffs with a 7-2-1 record. After the league was reorganized in 1992 he’d return to the Chiefs and start 3 games that season.  Valerio would remain on the line of the Chiefs as a valuable back up through 1995, before signing with the St. Louis Rams in 1996, and retiring after that season. Throughout his career he’d play every position on the offensive line, including tight end.  He’d also make 4 receptions for 7 yards and 4 touchdowns on tackle eligible plays for the Chiefs, (-all from Joe Montana which is the most that Montana threw to any lineman).

Since then Joe has gone into motivational speaking through Gridiron Concepts. He’s also a manager for Wells Fargo, coaches, and works avidly on his foundation. A popular member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Valerio also did radio and tv for a stint. I sent off for his autograph through his website at joe73.com last year, and gave up after about 6 months, so I was really pleased to open up an envelope and find these two cards autographed for me, in just a shade under a year.