Tag Archives: ttm autograph

NFL

Lansford, Mike

to90 mlansfordCards: Topps 1990, ProSet 1989, ProSet 1990
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Work
Sent: 11/16/15     Received: 2/1/16 (77 days)
Failure: 2014, C/o Home

With the amazing mustache, mullet, and barefoot kicking style, Mike Lansford was a great compliment for the LA Rams look. A California native, who kicked in college for Washington and Pasadena CC (CA), before being selected by the New York Giants in the 12th round of the 1980 NFL draft. Unable to make the team, he had tryouts with the Raiders and 49ers and then finally landed on the Rams roster in 1982 where he played in 9 games and went 9 of 15 on field goals.  His best season came in 1984, going 25 of 33 on field goals. He then had solid seasons in 1988 and 1989. With the Ernie Zampese offensive machine in full swing Mike led the league in 1989 with an astounding (at the time) 51 extra points made and scoring a career high 120 points.

pset89 mlansford

Lansford ran into contract issues with Rams management that year. He was being paid a pittance based on his performance and vested years in the league. Mike could’ve held out, but instead out of good faith, came in and kicked for the team anyway while they negotiated a new deal with his agent. The Rams came back with a salary that put him near to slightly above the league average, but the kicker rebuffed the team.  In October, he and the team put it all behind them as he signed a 2 year deal.  While Lansford’s 1990 was considered a down year, in short, it was still a banner year by most kicker’s standards.

pset90 mlansfordLansford has been quoted as saying that, “He wanted to kick for the Rams until his toe turned blue.”, but unfortunately all good things must come to an end.  He signed with the Cleveland Browns for the 1991 season, losing out to Matt Stover for the job.  Mike is the All-Time leading scorer in Los Angeles Rams history, and was an outstanding kicker when the game was on the line, never missing a game winning kick.  In at least 8 contests he put away the opposing team with ice in his veins.

I had been wanting to get the iconic kicker for sometime on a few cards, and was disappointed when I missed out on him TTM back in 2014.   He is involved in kicking camps for kids, where I finally got a response from him early in 2016. A big time LA Rams fan, Lansford attended the city rally to bring back the Rams, where he was quoted as saying that, “I bleed blue and gold, just like you guys do!”, to a cheering crowd.

G 124     XPA 325    XPM 315
FGA 217   FGM  158   PCT 72.8%    LG 52     PTS 789

 

NFL

Galloway, Joey

SP08_Gallowaypoff07_jgalloway
Cards: Playoff Absolute 2007, SP 2008
Acquired: TTM 2016, C/o Work*
Sent:  1/15   Received: 3/7   (52 days)
* Postmarked from Columbus, OH

After a stellar career with the Buckeyes, Joey Galloway was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round (8th overall) of the 1995 draft. The Seahawks needed his speed to stretch the field and to be the heir apparent to Brian Blades.  Gifted with blazing speed and great hands, Joey contributed over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in each of his first 4 seasons receiving, returning, and rushing the ball for the Seahawks. In 3 of those seasons he recorded 1,000 yards receiving, and narrowly missed by 13 yards on a 4th.  Signed to a hefty contract, and then later injured, Joey was traded to the Cowboys for two number one picks in 2000.

Dallas was desperate to get one last shot at the Super Bowl, and with Michael Irvin‘s career unceremoniously ending, Jerry Jones wanted to get Aikman and Smith one more title. It didn’t work out the way that they hoped. Galloway was injured after his first start, and the Cowboys collapsed to a 5-11 record. As age caught up to the Cowboys skill players, the offense became stagnant.  In his final season with the team in 2003, Galloway led the NFL with 19.8 yards per reception.

Joey joined the Buccaneers in 2004. He’d enjoy a renaissance not seen since his days in Seattle. In 2005, Galloway had a career high 1,287 yards receiving. He’d follow his 2005 season up with 2 more back to back 1,000 yard seasons. After an injury riddled 2008, Galloway entered a brief journeyman phase to his career, playing for the Patriots in 2009 and retiring after playing briefly with the Redskins in 2010.

Joey in 2016, is involved in sports color commentary for ESPN.   Galloway is not the fastest signer through the mail, but none the less he boasts a very high TTM success rate.

G/Gs 198       REC 701     YDS 10950     AVG 15.6    TD 77   LG 81T
KR 4         YDS  68         AVG 17.0      TD 0    LG 22
PR 141    YDS 1349    AVG 9.6        TD 5    LG 89T

AFL, College Football HoF, NFL

LeVias, Jerry

to71 jlevias to70 jlevias

Cards: Topps 1970, Topps 1971
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Home
Sent:   12/30/15   Received: 1/7/16    (8 days)

Jerry LeVias went on to play in the AFL and NFL, but is also recognized as a pioneer, breaking segregation in the SWC, playing for the SMU Mustangs.  It was not easy for Jerry, as he faced constant harassment.  LeVias made them pay though as he was a 3 time All-SWC selection from 1966-1968. His best year came in 1968 when he caught 80 passes for 1131 yards and 8 touchdowns.  Jerry finished his career at SMU with 155 receptions for 2275 yards and 22 TDs.

In 1969 Jerry was drafted by the Houston Oilers and led the NFL his rookie season in all purpose yards with 1946 yards, and punt returns with 35 for 292 yards. He also chipped in a career high 42 receptions for 696 yards and 5 TDs, including a league leading long 86 yard TD.  Jerry’s 1946 yards consisted of nearly half the team’s total yardage. He’d earn a Pro Bowl trip after the season and Rookie of the Year honors.   In 1970, he finished with 1377 yards from scrimmage, but Jerry was already preparing himself for life after football.

LeVias was traded to the San Diego Chargers in 1971.  He’d have his final season with over a 1000 all purpose yards, but the constant pounding his small frame (5’8″, 165) was taking its toll. Jerry retired after the 1974 season.

As of 2015 Jerry serves as a Houston Texans Ambassador. He’s been honored with inductions into the Gulf Coast Hall of Fame,  College Football Hall of Fame, and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.  A few years ago I went to the Kickoff at Kemah in Houston during a tropical storm. An early rumor placed LeVias at the Texans event, but in the end it was three other ambassadors. I decided to go ahead and shoot some cards out to him instead. Luckily he signed these two classic Topps cards.

G/Gs  70/35     Rec 144    Yds 2139    Avg 14.9    Td 14    Lg 86T
Rush 19   Yds 161   Avg 8.5    Td 0    Lg 38
KR  94      Yds 2213    Avg 23.5    Td 0    Lg 87
PR 35       Yds 687       Avg 7.8       Td 0    Lg 46