Tag Archives: ttm autograph

NFL, WLAF

Jackson, Patrick “Action”

Card: Ultimate WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent:  10/7   Received: 10/15  (8 days)

Patrick Jackson went to Stephen F. Austin in Nacodoches, Texas where he set receiving marks for the school. Playing in the shadow of many larger institutions including LSU, UT, and even A&M at the time, players from SFA really didn’t receive much attention coming out of college. He’d be a free agent signee of the Falcons in 1990, playing in the Red Gun offense, but he would not make the squad.

The Ohio Glory would take him during the 1992 WLAF draft and along with receivers Walter Wilson and Melvin Patterson they’d make one of the most prolific receiving corps in the league that season, despite being quarterbacked by the triumvirate of  Babe Laufenberg, Glen Frey, and Pat O’Hara. Nicknamed “Action Jackson”, due in part to the movie with the similar title starring Carl Weathers, and a personal motto of “Make it happen,” Jackson would chip in 16 receptions for 167 yards that season, but his further football adventures would be derailed by an ankle injury and the end of the WLAF.

Since football Action has become an insurance agent, a motivational speaker, and has written quite a few books. I’ve been using Sotl.com recently, and found his profile through the site where we
reminisced about the Riders-Glory game from 1992 with the hail storm.  With a few extra cards in the mail for him to keep, he kindly personalized one for me in 8 days and also wrote me a really nice note and encouraging me to keep in touch.

Rec 16      Yds 167     Avg  10.4     lg  27      Td 0   |
Rush 2         Yds   35      Avg   17.5       lg 27      Td 0

NFL, Pro Football HoF

Bednarik, Chuck “Concrete Charlie” (1925-2015)


Cards: Upper Deck Legends 1997, Topps 1960
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent:  9/2  Received: 9/13 (11 days)

Considered one of the great legends of football, Chuck Bednarik was the last 60 minute ‘Iron Man’ player in the NFL starting both at center and linebacker over the majority of his career. Originally the #1 overall pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1949 NFL draft, he was an effective blocker and a destructive force at linebacker that players across the league feared. In over 14 seasons, he only missed 3 games his entire career, while in the off-season he worked as a concrete salesman, earning the nickname “Concrete Charlie”.  An incredibly conditioned athlete, it is a wonder how Chuck was able to play all 60 minutes on both sides of the ball in such a high contact position. Truly he was a man among boys. Over his career he’d be named AP 10 times, to the NFL 1950s team, the 1953 ProBowl MVP, the Eagles Honor Roll, a member of the 1949 and 1960 NFL Championship squad, and have his number retired by the Eagles- a team he played his entire career for.

Shining in the most opportune moments, Chuck is perhaps best known for a bone-jarring hit of former Giants runningback Frank Gifford that knocked Gifford out for over a season, and for playing 58 minutes in the 1960 Championship game where he made the touchdown saving tackle on runningback Jim Taylor to preserve the victory.

Since retirement Bednarik has not lost any of his fire, acting a notable outspoken critic of player benefits and as a straight-shooting opinion on the condition of the Eagles and the NFL.  The Maxwell Club also annually since 1995 has presented a trophy in his honor to the best defensive collegiate player in the nation.

I had heard that Bednarik was extremely charitable with signing for fans and the rumors proved to be true. Due to problems with resellers and EBayers selling his cards, Bendarik provides only one free autograph now, and charges $20.00 for any additional memorabilia. Once again, jerks ruining it for the rest of us.

G 169       Tac  N/a     Sac N/a    Fum  21
Int  20     Yds  268       Avg 13.4        Td 1

UPDATE- Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik passed away early on Saturday 3/21/2015. He was 89. Chuck is survived by 5 kids, 10 grandchildren, and his wife of 67 years.

NFL, WLAF

Riley, Andre

Card: Ultimate 1992
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Washington IMG Marketing
Sent: 8/6    Received: 9/1  (25 days)
Failure: TTM 2011, KSBG Radio

A legend of the Washington Huskies program during the late 80s and early 90s, Andre Riley was the first player to ever surpass 1,000 yards receiving for the college. His senior season at Washington Andre led his team with 53 receptions for 1039 yards and 4 touchdowns. Initially a runningback, Riley converted to wide receiver and helped galvanize the squad towards their 1990 Rose Bowl Championship.

Andre would be drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals during the 12th round of the 1990 draft, but with a log jam at wide receiver behind Eddie Brown and Tim McGee, Riley would not make the squad.  He wouldn’t be out of work long when the London Monarchs would dial his number up in the second round of the wide receiver portion of the WLAF positional draft in 1991.

Finding a home on the London Monarchs, Andre would be part of a dynamic wide receiver pool of Dana Brinson, Jon Horton, and Tony Sargent. With quarterback Stan Gelbaugh throwing the rock all day, Riley would finish 3rd on the squad in 1991 with 30 receptions for 506 yards, a 16.9 yard average and 4 touchdowns- a number that would be considered starter quality anywhere else in the league. His best game perhaps came against the Knights, in a contest where he had 6 catches for 78 yards and a TD. At the conclusion of the season, he’d help his team down the Barcelona Dragons and win World Bowl I 21-7 in London.

He’d return stateside after the season, briefly playing for the Kansas City Chiefs and retire. Since that time Andre has been involved in marketing, working as a General Sales Manager for KBSG radio in Seattle and currently works for Washington IMG Marketing. I sent off for his card earlier this year to KBSG but got a response back from them indicating that he was no longer with the station. After doing more research I found another address at Washington IMG Marketing and took a stab there. Riley was kind enough to reply under a month, thanking me for remembering him and the league, and the extra card that he had already given to his daughter.  -A really nice return. Below are his WLAF statistics:

G 10   Rec 30    Yds  506     Avg 16.9     Td  4      Lg 62t