Tag Archives: ttm football autograph

Arena, WLAF

Fletcher, Cecil

ult92 fletcherCard: Ultimate WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent: 7/22    Acquired: 8/6    (16 days)

Cecil Fletcher was one of three members of the Marshall Herd that played in the WLAF from 1991 to 1992. A fearsome pass rusher and staunch run stopper, Fletcher still holds the school single-season mark for sacks with 17 along with 19 TFL that he posted in 1986. A team captain at linebacker for the 1987 team that went 10-5 under George Chaump and finished as NCAA I-AA runner ups, Cecil was one of the leaders of the “Killer Bs” defense. His 1987 was equally impressive, as Fletcher finished with 99 tackles, 11 TFL, 6 sacks, and 2 FR. After the season he was named to to the East-West Shrine Game,- the first member of the Herd since 1941. Cecil’s career totals at Marshall included 247 tackles and his 23 career sacks still rank in the top 5 in school history.

After going undrafted, Cecil signed with the Pittsburg Power of the AFL in 1988. His best season with them came in 1990 when he recorded 6 tackles, 3 sacks, 4 pass blocks, and 2 forced fumbles. A 7th round pick of the New York-New Jersey Knights of the WLAF in 1991, Cecil enjoyed a fine season for the team, recording 41 tackles and .5 sacks. He returned for the 1992 season and posted another sack before the league reorganized. Cecil returned to the AFL where he joined the Cincinnati Rockers in 1993. He’d post his best season of his AFL career with 15 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 PB, 2 blocks, and a FR- retiring after the season.

Cecil since retirement has had a wonderful life with his wife of 20+ years and 2 wonderful children. He coached High School football winning a State Championship, and as of 2013 is an estimator with Roadside Traffic. He wrote me a wonderful handwritten letter. In it he thanked me for the card that he could sign for his children to witness, as when he found out that he had a card back in 1992 it was one of the happiest days of his professional football life. – Such a great heartwarming memory to share. Another great response from a player who had a fun career.

NFL

Biakabutuka, Tshimanga “Tim”

poff96 biakabutukaCards: Playoff Contenders 2001, Press Pass 1996
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent: 10/14    Received: 10/23   (9 days)

Tim’s name was etched into the Michigan Wolverine’s record books after he rushed for 313 yards on 37 carries, destroying the Buckeyes singlehandedly during the 1996 season. He set school marks for rushing in a single season with 1,818 yards. After his incredible Junior season he declared for the NFL draft.  Biakabutuka finished his career at Michigan with 2,810 yards on 472 carries, and 24 touchdowns- despite fighting Michigan star Tyrone Wheatley for playing time.

The Carolina Panthers had been searching for an identity at runningback since their inception the previous year in 1995. With the 8th overall pick that year Carolina took Biakabutuka, two slots after Lawrence Phillips. Tim then quickly became the team’s first extended holdout, but eventually signed a 4 year deal where he was immediately crowned the unquestioned starter at runningbackpoff01 biakabutuka. His rookie season did not turn out as well as he expected, as after 4 games Tim blew out his knee and was out the rest of the season. In the meantime Anthony Johnson ran for over a thousand yards in his stead and took over the starting role in 1996. Tim quickly got buried on the depth chart behind Fred Lane as the injuries limited Tshimanga to just 2 starts in 1997, and 3 starts in 1998. Biakabutuka’s best season came in 1999, as he ran for a career high 718 yards and 6 touchdowns. He’d follow up his breakthrough year with another 627 yards rushing, and a career high 341 yards on 34 receptions. Tim’s career came to a grizzly end in 2001 though, where in a game against the Redskins he ripped every ligament in his foot. The injury was so gruesome that doctors considered amputating his foot. He luckily survived without the amputation, but his career was over.  Despite never starting a full slate of games over his 6 seasons and 35 starts, Tim finished as the Panthers’ career leading rusher, (since surpassed). After retirement he has gone into business as a restaurant entrepreneur, primarily in North Carolina.

G/Gs  50/35      Rush 611   Yds  2530    Avg  4.1    Td 14      Lg  67    |
Rec  77    Yds  789     Avg 10.2   Td 3    Lg 47

 

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Watson, Kenneth “Ken”

ult92 watsonCard: Ultimate WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Miles College
Sent: 7/9     Received: 7/25   (16 days)

Ken went to school collegiality at Livingstone  (now the University of Western Alabama). There he left an indelible mark on the record books for the school, where he held the school record for career punt return yardage with 690. Over his 4 year college career for the Tigers, Watson racked up 15 interceptions, 22 pass breakups, including a career high 49 tackles in his senior year. He was recognized as a 4 time All-Gulf Conference defensive back. The Minnesota Vikings signed him as a free agent in 1989, and then later he joined the British Columbia Lions in 1990. In 1991, the Riders made him their 2nd round pick of the positional draft among defensive backs. That season, he had 20 tackles and 2 picks for 17 yards playing across from Gary Richard, as San Antonio finished at 4-6.

After the season Watson made the jump back to the CFL playing for the Stampeders from 1992-1993, the Baltimore Stallions 1994-1996, the Montreal Alouettes 1996-1997, Toronto in 1999, and finally Edmonton in 2000.  After finishing school, Watson moved into coaching at the college level at Miles College from 2002-2005. He returned to his Alma Mater to coach DBs from 2005-2006. A stint at Minor High School in Birmingham, yielded him another opportunity to return to Miles where as of 2013 he remains the school’s defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator for the school.

WLAF      Tac 20  Sac  0   Int 2    Yds  17     Avg 8.5   Td 0