Tag Archives: ttm autograph

NFL, WLAF

Welch, Herb

wcwlaf92 welchsco90sup welch
Cards: Wild Card WLAF 1992, Score Supplemental 1990
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent: 6/4  Received: 6/17  (13 days)
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o Home

mem welchAn incredible competitor with great speed, Herb Welch is a great NFL story. Originally a 12th round pick in 1985 who wasn’t considered a pro grade prospect, Welch surprisingly earned his stripes in a great way -as a member of the New York Giants SuperBowl XXI team.  He’d start the big game in place of injured safety Terry Kinard.  In each of his first 3 years in the league, Welch played on special teams and as a backup defensive back, earning 2 interceptions in each season. He’d rip up his knee during the 1988 preseason, but made a full recovery in time for the next year.  After being cut during the 1989 preseason, he’d catch on with the Washington Redskins during mid-season playing again mainly on special teams, tallying 13 tackles.  He’d sign Plan B with the Detroit Lions in March of 1990. He’d start 4 games for the Lions and make a pick, and be with the Lions through the 1991 season. In 1992, Herb picked up his cleats and joined the WLAF. He’d split time between the Sacramento Surge and the Barcelona Dragons.

I had attempted Welch back in 2010 when I still lived in LA. I was disappointed that I did not get a response. I decided to try Herb again in 2014 and was pleased to not only get a response, but also a piece of nice photo memorabilia from him as well.

G/Gs 79/8       Tac  N/a     Sac N/a       Fum 0       Int 7      Yds 53    Avg 7.5     Td  0    Lg  16
WLAF        Tac N/a     Sac  N/a      Fum 0      Int  0      Yds  0      Avg -.-      Td 0       Lg -.-

NFL, University of Texas

Sims, Kenneth “Special K”

sco90 ksimsCards: Score 1990, Fleer 1990.
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent: 3/10    Received: 4/8  (29 days)

Kenneth Sims spent his ‘apprentice years’ learning the defensive tackle rotating in behind Steve McMichael and then exploded onto the national scene in his Junior season, racking up 131 tackles for the University of Texas. He was an all All-American at the university in his Senior year, winning the Lombardi Award, and finishing as a runner up (8th) for the Heisman Trophy. He’d average 12 tackles a game over his career for the Longhorns.

Ken parlayed his amazing performance at the University of Texas into being the overall #1 pick of the 1982 draft. At 6’5″, 291 Ken certainly posessed the size and athleticism to anchor the defensive line in the 3-4 alignment for the New England Patriots. The Patriots felt they could kick him outside to play left defensive end. (Ironically McMichael also had a short stint with the Patriots after being drafted by them out of UT as well, but was cut and went on to greater glory for the Chicago Bears.) Sims career unfortunately flr90 ksimswould be marred by injury, and only played 1 full 16 game slate in 1984 recording 96 tackles. During the Patriots improbable 1985 Super Bowl run (XX), Ken had perhaps his finest season, finishing with 5.5 sacks, 65 tackles, and 2 fumble recoveries in 13 games, but injuries during the 1983, 1986, and 1988 seasons, wiped out nearly 3 full seasons of play. He’d retire after the 1989 season back to the Austin area where he’s begun dabbling in sports radio. Ken is an avid Longhorn sports fan and has spent time at the University studying sports management.

G/Gs 74/64    Tac  364   Sac 17    Fum 5   Int  0   Yds  0     Avg -.-    Td 0     Lg -.-

 

NFL, usfl

Jordan, Buford

flr90 bujordanCard: Fleer 1990
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent: 11/11  Received: 11/19  (8 days)

Buford is a legend that has never really gotten his due outside of the state of Louisiana.  After setting state rushing records at little McNeese State, Buford stayed at home with the USFL New Orleans Breakers. As star runningback Marcus Dupree limped through the season, Jordan ended up leading the team with 1,276 yards and 8 TDs in 1984. With the USFL deciding to go head to head with the NFL in the Fall, the Breakers were left in the lurch, so the franchise packed its bags and moved to Portland. Jordan still put together a respectable 817 yards and 5 TDs, averaging right at 5 yards per carry.

After the franchise- and the league folded, Buford was not selected in the Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL players in 1985. He’d join the New Orleans Saints  as a free agent and crack the squad playing mainly on special teams and at fullback. Jordan saw some starting time, and was an unheralded member of the squad, being at the right place at the right time saving the day for the Saints on more than a few occasions. Buford played for the Saints through the 1990 season, and was resigned for part of the ’91 campaign. He retired after the 1992 season.

After football, Jordan has been inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame (2011), and numerous honors from the Southland Conference for his contributions. He’s a personal trainer in Louisiana, providing fitness camps, speed & conditioning, skills & agility, and draft preparation through his Rock Hard Performance outdoor training facility in Kenner, LA.

NFL  G/Gs 75/30  Rush 184    Yds 687   Avg 3.7   Td 8   Lg 44   |
Rec  37    Yds 355   Avg 9.6   Td 1    Lg 37