Well as you see here, 4th time’s the charm with Wayne. I knew I had a pretty decent lead on him. Meiselman pegged him down in Waco, but he moved and then I tracked him down on Facebook with no response. There I discovered he was doing work for the city. I then hit up two more addresses, and one of them it just sat in his mailbox until it was returned. The third time it took 2 months to be returned as a bad address. Staying persistent is the key, and finally I was able to get Bug on this last card of his after using a white pages crawler.
So many years have passed. As I drive back on the highway from San Antonio, it is without fail I pass through San Marcos, where the Riders played in 1992. Despite all the growth, all the construction, all the change, the memories still remain.
My dad would take me to and from those games. And after each game, we’d stop at a little convenience store (Ballard’s) just a bit out of the way going north back to town.
We’d stop in late in the evening after the game, walk in and I’d grab an ice cream sandwich and a drink to tide me over. When I’d get back to the car, I’d get in- and regardless of how dark it was- I’d take the time to thumb through my booty one more time, thinking about those autographs, the game, and the players I met.
CARDS: Pro Set 1990, Score 1990 ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 9/26 RECEIVED: 10/4 (8 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Nate Odomes played CB at Wisconsin from 1985 to 1986.
A fast and dangerous speed merchant, Nate was also utilized by the Badgers in the return game, returning 36 punts for 359 yards, and 25 kick returns for 616 yards.
Selected in the second round of the 1987 draft by the Buffalo Bills.
He’d start right out of the gate and be the youngest starting DB in the NFL that year.
On the year his 12 pass deflections led the team.
Nate recorded his first interception of his career against the New England Patriots in 1988.
The following season he developed a true nose for the ball, notching 5 picks.
In 1991, Odomes had another 5 picks for a career high 120 yards and a TD.
And in ’92, he put up 5 interceptions again for a 3rd time.
Still not satisfied, Nate had a ’93 to remember, intercepting a career high 9 passes to lead the NFL, garnering Defensive Player of the Year attention.
After the season, Nate signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks.
Unfortunately he’d blow out his knee during a pickup game of basketball in 1994.
He’d never suit up for the Seahawks, and after two years of rehabilitation, was released by the team.
Nate played half a season for the Falcons in 1996, but early in October of that year, his sports car slammed into a tree in the suburbs north of Atlanta, and he was charged with DUI, effectively ending his career.
ACCOLADES:
1987 All Rookie Team
Pro Bowl 1992, ’93
All-Pro 1993
NOTES:
I was going through a friend’s collection of Pro Set 1990 cards, and I stopped to look at Nate’s card. It left such a mark in my mind that when I saw that he was signing, I decided to send it right out.
I sent out three cards. The Pro Set, Score, and a Topps 1990 card. He kept the Topps card, which I wasn’t surprised because it was for once a pretty good looking card.
CARD: Pro Set 1991 World League Insert ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 5/31 RECEIVED: 6/10 (10 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Played college football at Penn State from 1959-1961 where he was starting QB for the Nittany Lions.
Completed 48.2% of his passes for 1619 yards, 15 TDs, and 11 interceptions, while rushing for 318 yards and 3 TDs on 104 carries.
Played briefly in the NFL for the Redskins in 1962, and the Jets in ’63.
Jumped into coaching working in the college ranks as a positional coach for West Virginia (TE 64-65) and Oklahoma (WR/OC 66-83).
Started out as OC at Florida in ’84, but quickly took the reins as HC, coaching there through ’89.
Posted a 40-18-1 record over career with Gators.
After a year off, returned to coaching as OC of the WLAF Orlando Thunder in ’91.
Recommended and quickly reunited with his former college QB Kerwin Bell.
Orlando became well known for its explosive Spread offensive formations.
Became head coach of the Thunder in ’92, leading the franchise to World Bowl II, claiming an 8-2 record.
After a year’s stint with the AFL Charlotte Rage in ’94, returned to the rebooted World League in 1995, coaching with the Rhein Fire.
Coached through 2000, compiling a 34-26 record, winning two World Bowl Championships (1998, 2000).
Came back stateside in 2001, as head coach of the XFL Orlando Rage posting an 8-2 record.
Coached RBs with the Dallas Cowboys in 2002.
Returned home to Penn State in 2004 as OC and RB coach, working with the Nittany Lions through 2011.
ACCOLADES:
SEC Coach of the Year (1984)
NFL Europe Coach of the Year (1998, 00,
XFL Coach of the Year (2001)
Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame
NOTES:
Galen didn’t have any cards of himself made. I considered making one, but at the time I was artistically uninspired, so after arming up with a few World League helmet cards, I decided to fire one off to him. Now, my big thing recently is getting coaches to draw me up a play. I also peppered him with questions about the spread offense and his time in the World League. Although he didn’t give me any insight into his time in the WLAF/ NFLE, he did author two plays for me. They are run plays, but I’m very happy nonetheless he took the time to put these together.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
