Tag Archives: ttm football autograph

lewis, kip

Cards: Proset WLAF 1991, Ultimate WLAF 1991, Wild Card WLAF 1992.
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o Comcast Sportsnet Chicago
Sent: 4/28   Received: 8/10   (88 days)

Mouse Davis shrewdly selected Kip Lewis in the WLAF supplemental draft from run oriented Arizona, (where Kip made 20 catches in his career,) and slapped him into the Run ‘N Shoot offense of the New York New Jersey Knights.   Fighting off nagging injuries in 1991, Kip still notched a 64 yard score against the Riders and 29 catches on the season. In 1992, Kip benefited from a full season under the offense and the quarterback play of Reggie Slack, to rank 1st on the team, and 7th in the WLAF with 46 receptions.  Kip continued to be involved in football after the reorganization of the WLAF when the league finished the 1992 season, signing briefly with the Detroit Lions. Afterwards, Lewis jumped into a career in broadcasting, where he’s been ever since, working with the fledgling XFL as a sideline reporter for TNN, the Indianapolis Colts, and also as a sports reporter. I was able to locate Kip at Comcast Sportsnet where he is currently at. Kip signed all 3 cards and attached a nice thank you apologizing for the wait because it had been in his coat pocket the whole time. 🙂

Games  20       Rec 75       Yds  1006       Avg 13.4       TD  5     lg 64T

Johnson, Undra

Card: ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o Work.
Sent: 5/10  Received: 5/17  (7 days)

Undra Johnson played college ball for the West Virginia Mountaineers where he led them in rushing as a senior to the Fiesta Bowl in 1989. Johnson then earned a 7th round choice out of the strong 1989 draft pool. Selected by the Falcons, he played for the Saints and Cowboys also that season. He’d then be drafted by the Riders with their #1 choice of the WLAF positional draft for runningbacks. Undra was a shifty halfback, and worked well in tandem with the power of Ricky Blake, eventually finishing the season with 258 yards and 2 touchdowns in 1991. He was also the team leader in kickoff returns. Undra had already started selling real estate and dabbling in finance and left the league behind for it full time in 1992. He currently is a securities advisor in Bridgeport, WV.

The first season of the WLAF in San Antonio had the Riders playing in dilapidated Alamo Stadium, (home of the Gunslingers of the USFL who even thought it was old,) where they went 4-6. It took them a bit of time to discover their defensive rhythm, and establish consistency under center, but once this had been done, season 2 was a vast improvement as Undra would finish behind teammate Ricky Blake in rushing that season. I sent out for his autograph after discovering his address with the help once again of Wikipedia and a small bit of detective work. He responded quite quickly signing this card that I had enclosed.

Games 10    Att  76    Yds 258     Avg 3.4   Lg 17    Td 2
Rec 10    Yds 55       Avg  5.5    Lg 12   Td 0
Ret 14     Yds 305     Avg 21.8   Lg  36   Td 0

Avery, Steven

Cards: Wild Card WLAF 1992, Ultimate WLAF 1991.
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o home
Sent: 3/12  Received: 4/10 (28 days)

Steven Avery went undrafted out of Northern Michigan in 1989 where he signed as a free agent with the then Houston Oilers. After being cut in camp that year he sat out a year, and then was picked up by the Packers who then allocated him to the Birmingham Fire of the WLAF where he played for two seasons as their starting fullback until the league went on hiatus after 1992. Recognized for his tough nosed blocking and decent hands, Steve’s style matched that of a ‘poor man’s’ Meril Hoge.  He was a natural fit for the Steelers, and signed with them in 1993 and playing for the gold and black for 3 years before retiring. Since retired from football the Steelers have had him back as an honorary captain on occasion. Steve lives in Ocmonoc, WI. I sent out for Steve’s autograph to his home address, where he sent a nice thank you note to me for being a fan in a bit under 30 days.

Fire    games 20     att 49     yds 182    avg 3.7    td 1   lg 32
rec 32  yds 364   avg 11.4   td  3   lg  54t