Tag Archives: ttm autograph

WLAF

Walton, Tim

Cards: Ultimate WLAF 91 Logo Card, Ultimate WLAF Team Card, ProSet WLAF 1991.
Acquired: In Person 1991, San Antonio Riders vs Birmingham Fire. TTM 2010 c/o Metis Sports Agency
Sent: 5/10      Received: 6/7  (27 days)

In the second year of the WLAF, a couple of companies decided to make cards. Pro Set initially did an introduction run in early 1991, and then came out with complete league cards later that year. Ultimate and Wild Card also soon followed with their own brands. I got the Pro Set WLAF cards and took them with me to the games. After the game against the Fire, I caught Tim Walton walking off of the field and asked him for his autograph. He got super excited (because he hadn’t seen his card before) and then told me that he had broken his hand during the game but said he’d still try to give it to me anyway. I said yes and wasn’t sure who was more excited at that point to get the autograph. It was an indelible memory and it has always stuck with me.  Tim played inside LB in an aggressive 3-4 alignment for the Riders and was named WLAF AP first team in both 1991 and 1992.

His finest game probably came in a contest against the Montreal Machine in 1991, when he recorded two sacks and a forced fumble, in a 27-10 win.

Many years later when I found these cards I thought it would be cool to get his autograph again, and add the additional cards to the set. It took me a few weeks of web surfing to locate Tim, who was working at Metis Sports as an agent at the time. I sent him 3 cards and a letter basically reminiscing about what happened, and a copy of some photos I took of a game. A few weeks later I got the cards and a sticky note that said,” You guys are true fans! God bless! Tim Walton.”

G 20             Tac  105          Sac 9        Fum  3
Int   0        Yds  0        Avg -.-       Td 0

NFL

Childress, Ray

Cards:  Action Packed 1991, Fleer 1995, Pro Set 1989, Pro Set 1990, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: In Person, Houston Oilers Training Camp, 1992, 1995. TTM 2010, C/o Home
Sent:   3/26    Received:     4/3           (8 days)

Ray Childress is one of the most multidimensional and consistent defensive linemen who came out during the mid 80s. He played from 1985 to 1996. He received All America honors twice while in college at Texas A&M and still is ranked on the school’s leaders in both sacks and tackles 25 years after he graduated. Drafted in the first round by the Houston Oilers as a DE, Ray would play all positions along the line at some point during his career with the majority of that being at DT notching 4 Pro Bowl appearances at this position and 1 at DE playing in 154 games.  He was a 3 time first team All-Pro, and 3 time second team All- Pro. Childress holds the NFL record for most fumble recoveries in a season with 7 and most recovered in a game with 3.  He retired from injuries after a shoulder separation in 1996. Childress since football has become in a variety of ventures including his ongoing commitment to the Childress Foundation, and at one point owned a line of car dealerships. Childress was inducted into the College Football HOF in 2010.

My brother and I went to training camp in 1992. It was really funny to get Ray’s autograph, especially since he dwarfed my brother who was 6″3′. Ray then asked my brother if he was on the team which we both got some laughs out of. In 1995 Childress also signed my Fleer 1995 for me when I was at camp as he was walking on to the field. He was the first one of the day and that certainly put me in a good mood. In 2010 I started sending cards out in the mail again, and specifically targeted former Houston Oilers. I sent 4 cards out to Ray and he signed 3 and returned the 4th, which didn’t bother me at all as he was doing it as a courtesy for me anyway. Ray has been caught in the backlog of great players retiring during the mid 90s, and has not been inducted into the HOF, although I believe he should. With Elvin Bethea being inducted recently, it certainly does give hope that at some point he will sneak onto the ballot.

Games 163         Tac   861              Sac 76.5               Fum 19

WLAF

Bethel, Randy

Cards: Wild Card WLAF 1992, Ultimate WLAF 1991
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o Sebastian River HS
Sent: 4/28   Received:  5/10  (12 days)

Randy played for the Glory during the infamous ‘hail storm’ game, when the San Antonio Riders hosted the Ohio Glory.  The game got weather delayed because a freak monsoon hit right before halftime and players and fans had to hide out under the stadium and in the locker room for about 30 minutes because of the hail. I make no secret that I am an immense fan of the WLAF, spending hours surfing the web looking up former players at some points.  I was able to track down Randy and sent him out a letter and these two cards. He graciously signed them and attached a very kind and personal thank you. (Really, it is guys like Randy and Dan that make me happy that I have jump started this hobby again.)

The NFL has sadly swept the history of the World League under the carpet, and much of the it is in danger of slipping away. It is difficult to locate information on it, and there are a few tribute sites on the league but little video and photographic proof of WLAF other than Ebay. I think it is a shame that these players aren’t recognized better for their contributions to the NFL, and this is part of the reason that I collect these autographs. It’s the least I can do to let them know that they are remembered and appreciated for what they’ve done.

Randy played for The U (Miami, Fl) finishing his college career 3rd in team history in receptions, 1st in yards and touchdowns from his position of TE. Randy was a strong blocker with a nose for the end zone catching a 12 yd touchdown to seal the national championship in 1991 in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama.  He was drafted in the 10th round by the New England Patriots and signed with the World League’s Ohio Glory in 1992. After the WLAF decided to reorganize, Bethel would go on to coaching, eventually being hired by Sebastian River HS where he has had a successful career and has become highly respected by the college recruiting community.

Games 10      Rec  11         Yards     113          Avg  10.3     Lg 25     TD   1