Tag Archives: tampa bay storm

Arena, NFL

Conner, Darion

Gameday 1992, #7

CARDS: Action Packed 1991, Gameday 1992, Skybox 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 1/3 RECEIVED: 1/30 (27 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Darion Conner was a 3 time All-Southwestern Athletic Conference Selection out of Jackson State.
  • In 1989 posted 12.5 sacks and 130 tackles.
  • Second round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 1990, Conner was prized for his versatility.
  • Settled at ROLB, and in first 3 seasons went over 100 tackles each year.
  • In 1994, played one season for the Saints, and had a career high 10.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and an interception for 56 yards.
  • 1995 saw him take his skill set to Carolina, where he added another 7.0 sacks to his resume as an original member of the Panthers.
  • After two largely fruitless seasons in Philadelphia (’96-’97), Darion was signed by the ‘original but new’ Cleveland Browns.
  • Didn’t play a down for the team, so he decided to take his skills to the Arena Football League in 1999 playing OL/DL.
  • Connor was an impactful player in Arena Football.
  • He’d play with the Tampa Bay Storm through 2005.
  • Connor’s football career ended abruptly after he committed DUI-manslaughter and vehiculuar homicide.
  • He was sentenced to 15 years in prison- of which, he has paid his debt to society and is now a free man.
Action Packed 1991, #4
Skybox 1992, #126

NOTES:

Darion signed all three of these cards for me masterfully with a silver sharpie. The Skybox card looks incredible.

TACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDLG
51933.0515656.0056
NFL
TACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDLG
4411.0500-.-0-.-
ARENA
Arena, NFL, NFLE

Gurley, Buck

Frankfurt Galaxy Team Issue 2003

CARD: Frankfurt Galaxy Team Issue 2003
ACQUIRED: Private Acquisition, 2022

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Buck Gurley played DT for the Florida Gators from 1997-00.
  • Going unselected in the 2001 NFL Draft, he signed with the Miami Dolphins but didn’t make the squad.
  • He’d spend a few days with the Bears on their practice squad eventually ending up on the Buccaneers in 2002.
  • Buck suited up for 8 contests for the team, winning a Super Bowl ring after the season.
  • The Buccaneers allocated Gurley to the Frankfurt Galaxy of the NFLE after the season.
  • He’d play the next 4 years in the Arena Football League for the Predators (2004-05), Storm (’06) and the Rampage (’07).
  • Currently is coaching at the High School level.

NOTES:

TACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDLG
90,0000-.-0-.-
NFL
TACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDLG
N/a3.0000-.-0-.-
NFLE
TACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDLG
354.5100-.-0-.-
Arena
Arena, NFL, WLAF

Smith, David (RB)

Wild Card World League 1992, #146

CARD: Wild Card World League 1992
ACQUIRED: EBay, 2023

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • As a Junior for Western Kentucky, David Smith rushed for 625 yards and 5 TDs.
  • Selected in the 8th round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
  • In 1990, played for the Pittsburgh Gladiators of the Arena Football League.
  • Joined the Monarchs of the WLAF in 1991 and played with team through 1992.
  • Scored the league’s first TD in a win against the Frankfurt Galaxy.
  • Finished season as the team’s second leading rusher with 302 yards on 84 carries, while adding 6 rushing TDs.
  • Returned to the Arena league after the World League reorganized, playing for the Cincinnati Rockers in 1992.
  • Continued one year stints playing forthe Tampa Bay Storm in ’93, the Massachusetts Marauders in ’94, and the Charlotte Rage in 1995.

NOTES:

I had been desperately looking for David for the last 13 years or so. The challenge lied in his name, which is one of the most common ones in the United States. I was able to locate this on Ebay and after negotiating with the seller, went ahead and pulled the trigger on this card, leaving me with just needing his Ultimate card. I doubt seriously anyone would fake this autograph since David is so obscure.

RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
1452192.922N/a
Arena
RECYDSAVGTDLG
1819110.60N/a
RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
943213.4628t
WL
RECYDSAVGTDLG
2199.5020