Wes Hamilton

Sent: 7/12/11
Received: 7/17/11
Time: 5 Days
Address: Work
Item Sent: 1981 Fleer Team Action, 1984 Fleer Team Action (already signed by Steve Riley)
Item Received: 1981 Fleer Team Action, 1984 Fleer Team Action.  Both signed in black ballpoint.

Notes:
Longtime Vikings guard Wes Hamilton is the second signature on my 1984 Fleer Vikings Offense card, following his former linemate Steve Riley.  Like Riley, Hamilton never had his own official Topps football card.  As far as I can tell, though, he never had a team issued card either (if you click the Riley link you'll see that I was able to get him on a Vikings police card).  The Vikings' 1976 third round draft pick played nine NFL seasons (all in purple) and was the starting right guard from 1978 through 1983.  His son Ben was a legend at the University of Minnesota who went on to a solid ten year career with the Denver Broncos before retiring after last season.  As for this return, I'll probably keep the 1981 card in my collection solely signed by Hamilton.  The '84 card will soon be off to #76 Tim Irwin.

Steve Riley

Sent: 5/26/11
Received: 8/4/11
Time: 70 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1984 Fleer Team Action, 1985 Vikings Police
Item Received: 1984 Fleer Team Action, 1985 Vikings Police.  Both signed in blue ballpoint.

Notes:
Steve Riley was the Vikings first round pick out of USC in 1974.  For the next decade, he would be one of the anchors of the Vikes' offensive line.  The Vikings advanced to their third Super Bowl during Riley's rookie season.  Two years later, in 1976 (Riley's first season as a starter), they made it to the big game again.  Riley would play for another eight seasons, spending his entire career in Minnesota.