Lawrence Dawsey played WR for Florida State from 1987-90.
Saw marked improvement every year in catches and yards playing for the Seminoles.
In his Senior year Dawsey posted 65 receptions for 999 yards and 7 TDs.
A 3rd round selection of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1991, Dawsey didn’t even start until Week 7 of the season.
He’d post 44 receptions after that point, including an 8 catch 100 yard (TD) effort against the Dolphins in week 13.
Finished rookie season with a career high 818 yards, 14.9 yards per reception, and 3 TDs (55 catches).
In ’92 Dawsey posted a career high 60 receptions (776 yards and a TD).
He’d play the next 3 seasons for the Bucs, finishing his career in Tampa with 2842 yards and 206 receptions (5 TD).
Joined the Giants for a season in 1996 starting 4 contests catching 18 passes for 233 yards.
Signed with the Dolphins in ’97 but saw no playing time with Miami.
After a year away from the sport in ’98, Lawrence played one final season in ’99 for the Saints, catching 16 passes for 196 yards and a TD.
In 2004 entered the college coaching ranks where he’s been a positional coach.
As of 2022, works as a WR coach at Appalachian St.
ACCOLADES:
1991 Offensive Rookie of the Year
Skybox Premium 1993, #179
NOTES:
Lawrence had been a white whale I’d been after for a while and I’d previously failed on two other occasions. I kept reloading in the hopes I could get his autograph on some cards and finally lucked out. Dawsey had an odd career trajectory in the pros. Over his 8 year career he caught 6 TDs on 240 receptions- with 3 of them coming in his rookie season.
CARD: Action Packed 1990 ACQUIRED: 2022, In Person Signing
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Bo Jackson was a tremendously talented athlete, being selected first round by the New York Yankees (1982) before he even hit college.
Opting to go to Auburn, Bo went hog wild as a RB running for 4,303 yards over his college career.
He was also an accomplished track and field star.
After winning the Heisman Trophy, he’d be selected in the first round of the 1986 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Bo refused to sign with the team, citing that they attempted to sabotage his budding baseball career.
He’d sign instead with the Kansas City Royals- who selected Bo in 1986.
While playing with the Royals, the Bucs gave up on Jackson, relinquishing his rights.
Bo was then drafted again- this time by the Los Angeles Raiders, in the 7th round of the ’87 NFL Draft.
After a bit of arm twisting and fan service, Bo signed with the Raiders, with the understanding that the team would not interfere with his baseball career.
Bo for the next 4 seasons would miss training camp and 6-9 weeks while he was wrapping up his baseball commitments with the Royals.
In his rookie year, he quieted doubters with a sensational MNF performance where he ran over the Seattle Seahawks and Brian Bosworth for a then Raider record 221 yards rushing.
He had 81 carries for 554 yards and a whopping 6.8 yards per carry and a 91 yard TD in 1987.
In 1989, Bo ran for a career high 973 yards and a 92 yard TD.
By this point Bo was becoming a multi sport star and one of the major darlings of sports marketing.
In 1990, he returned again to the Raiders, and helped galvanize the team to the playoffs, bursting for an 88 yard TD and 698 yards on 125 carries.
That year he became the first athlete to be named to both the Pro Bowl and the All-Star Game.
During the playoffs against the Bengals, Bo was tackled from behind where he suffered a hip injury that was later determined to be a career ending injury to his football career.
Bo was cut by the Royals soon thereafter, signing with the Chicago White Sox.
He’d be exclusively a baseball player and a DH, before spending his entire 1992 season rehabbing from the hip injury.
Bo played a final season for the California Angels in 1994- retiring after the season was ended due to a strike, to spend more time with his family.
ACCOLADES:
Heisman Award 1985
Pro Bowl 1990
Auburn #34 retired
College Football Hall of Fame
AL All-Star 1989
All-Star Game MVP 1989
1990 Pro Bowl (reserve)
NOTES:
Bo, is of course, fondly remembered by fans of Tecmo Bowl for being an unstoppable force in the game. When my friends and I played, and one of us was the Raiders, about the only way to stop him was to actually select Bo’s run play on every play of the game, lest you take a chance that he runs for a TD on you on the one play you forgot to.
Outside of what media he already appeared in before he retired, Bo’s done a lot of stuff since retirement otherwise, dabbling in TV and commercials. He loves to do archery, and donates and raises a lot of money for charity.
I spent the most money ever on getting an in person autograph of Bo Jackson. I’m not sure what I was expecting. To him it was a transaction but to me I wanted it to be an experience. I guess I was ultimately disappointed.
My friend Jeff and I bought tickets to the event at Barton Creek Mall. We thought it’d be in a retail outlet, but instead it was in an open area where tables and memorabilia had been set up in the mall.
Once Bo sat down, he didn’t really have much to say, rushing us through, even telling Jeff he should have his items ready to be signed when he walked up. Later when I went through the line and got his autograph, he took the card of the guy in front of me and slightly bent it intentionally while he was talking to him before he signed it. Thankfully since I had a stiff Action Packed card, he didn’t have a chance to do the same thing for me.
Unfortunately Bo remains a strong set need for me, as I need him in multiple sets.
Casey Weldon played QB at Florida State from 1988-91.
Came into his own as a starter in his Senior season, throwing for 2527 yards and 22 TDs on 189 completions (313 attempts).
In 1992, was a 4th round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Played for the Bucs from 1993-96.
Saw limited playing time over those years, most extensively in 1995, completing 42 of 91 passes for 519 yards and a TD.
Played for the Barcelona Dragons that same year, throwing for 543 yards and 3 TDs on 41 of 91 passes.
Threw a memorable 70 yard TD pass to fellow Buccaneer Tyree Davis against the Monarchs.
Was on the roster of the Chargers (’97), and Redskins (’98-’00) but didn’t see any playtime.
Joined the XFL 2001 as a member of the Birmingham Thunderbolts.
Had best season as a pro throwing for 1228 yards and 7 TDs on 102 completions (164 attempts), but injuries ended his season and his carer.
Has gone into coaching since retirement.
ACCOLADES:
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award 1992
1992 Classic, #31
NOTES:
I failed on getting Casey back in 2019. I think I flushed a Loaded Cannon card, but that’s okay. After doing some research I tracked down a good address for him and shot these two cards out earlier in 2022. I was a bit disappointed when someone else who sent to him later than me stole my thunder and got him back first, but the TTM gods granted me their favor and finally I got Casey in the mail. The Classic is a bit smeared but no big deal. It was the Topps XFL 2001 that I was truly after.
NFL
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
LG
120
60
713
50.0
1
4
57.4
42
WLAF
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
LG
91
41
543
45.1
3
9
35.9
69t
XFL
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
LG
164
102
1228
62.2
7
5
86.6
80t
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
