2026 National Free Signer - Otis Wilson

Otis Wilson was the next free signer at this year's National. I found this card at the same vendor who had cards of the signers. It is a 1983 Topps football card, and it turned out pretty well. 

Wilson (b. 1957) played professionally from 1980 to 1987 and 1989 for the Bears and Raiders. He won Super Bowl XX with the Bears.

2024 National Free Signer - Tom Cousineau

Tom Cousineau was one of the more fun signers we met at the National this year.  I liked this 1983 Topps football card that I picked up and got signed, but that wasn't what made Cousineau so cool.  Being an Ohio State alum, when he looked up at Michael wearing his Michigan gear, Cousineau gave us a great photo op.

Michael says that I took too long in taking this photo.  Apparently Cousineau had his grip pretty tight around Michael's neck.  This was a really cool moment toward the end of the free signers, and Michael and I walked away laughing.

Cousineau (b. 1957) played professionally from 1982 to 1987 for the Browns and 49ers.  He had 10 interceptions for 91 yards.  He was a two-time All American in college and was also the first overall pick in the 1979 draft by the Bills.

2022 National Free Signer - Mike Nelms

Now that I am breaking down all of the free signers at this year's National, I've realized that there were a lot of signers.  Usually, I skip the non-baseball guys, but I think this year, I got at least one card signed by all of them except for the football guy at the VIP party (I forgot his name already).

There was a vendor right near the bathrooms at the show who had a display board with cards of most of the free signers for $5.00/card.  Some (most) of those were a gross overpay, but in the end, my time was valuable, and it saved me from spending hours at dime boxes looking for random folks.  So, I purchased a few of the guy's cards, like these of Mike Nelms.  The card above is a 1983 Topps.

I also found his 1981 Topps and a 1990 ProSet.  All of the cards turned out great and are a little something different in my album.

Nelms (b. 1955) played in the NFL from 1980 to 1984 for the Redskins.  He was a 3-time Pro Bowler (1980, 1981 and 1982) and an All Pro in 1983.  He won the Super Bowl with the Redskins in 1983 (1982 season) when the Redskins defeated the Dolphins.