2002 Buffalo Bills Game Worn/Used Uniform London Fletcher future Hall Of Famer

Description

2002 game worn signed London Fletcher Bills uniform and signed by London Fletcher a game used. Jersey also has sticker for PS Game Gear Authenticated. Shows great use. Pants have a repair. Future Hall of Famer.
London Levi Fletcher (born May 19, 1975) is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at John Carroll, and signed with the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 1998. Fletcher also played for the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins.
Fletcher was well known for never missing a game in his career, being one of only five players in NFL history to play in over 250 consecutive games.[1] Fletcher also holds the record for consecutive starts at the linebacker position.[1] He eventually finished his career with 215 consecutive games started, which ties him for 6th all time along with Alan Page and Ronde Barber.[2][3]
Contents
1
High school years
2
College years
3
Professional career
3.1
St. Louis Rams
3.1.1
1998
3.1.2
1999
3.1.3
2000
3.1.4
2001
3.2
Buffalo Bills
3.3
Washington Redskins
3.4
Retirement
3.5
Career awards and highlights
4
Personal life
5
NFL career statistics
6
References
7
External links
High school years
Fletcher attended Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School in Cleveland, Ohio, and won varsity letters in football and basketball. He played on two state championship basketball teams.[citation needed]
College years
While attending John Carroll University, Fletcher played both basketball and football for the John Carroll Blue Streaks. As a senior, he had 202 tackles (a school-record) and was named the Division III National Linebacker of the Year. Fletcher also attended Saint Francis University of Pennsylvania before transferring to John Carroll University. He was on the men's basketball team while at Saint Francis.
Professional career
Fletcher attended the NFL Scouting Combine and ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash. He worked out for several NFL teams and was expected to be a day 2 selection, but was not one of the 30 linebackers drafted during the 1998 NFL Draft.[4]
St. Louis Rams
1998
On April 28, 1998, the St. Louis Rams signed Fletcher to a one-year, 8,000 contract as an undrafted free agent.[5]
He made his professional regular season debut in the St. Louis Rams’ season-opening 24-17 loss against the New Orleans Saints. On December 27, 1998, Fletcher earned his first career start after Eric Hill sustained an injury. He made eight solo tackles on defense and seven special teams tackles as the Rams lost 38-19 at the San Francisco 49ers in a Week 17.[6] Fletcher earned the Rams Rookie of the Year Award.[7] He finished the season with 14 combined tackles (11 solo) in 16 games and one start.[8]
1999
Throughout training camp, Fletcher competed against Charlie Clemons and Lorenzo Styles to be the starting middle linebacker after the Rams chose not to re-sign Eric Hill.[9] Head coach Dick Vermeil named Fletcher the starting middle linebacker to begin the regular season, alongside outside linebacker Todd Collins and Mike Jones.[10]
On October 3, 1999, Fletcher collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (nine solo) and made his first career sack during a 38-10 win at the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. Fletcher sacked Bengals’ quarterback Jeff Blake for a ten-yard loss during the third quarter.[11] In Week 9, Fletcher recorded five combined tackles and earned his first career safety during a 31-27 loss at the Detroit Lions. Fletcher earner his safety after tackling running back Greg Hill in the endzone for a one-yard loss during the first quarter.[12] Fletcher started in all 16 games in 1999 and recorded a total of 138 tackles on defense and special teams combined. His 138 tackles were the most by a Ram since Roman Phifer collected 149 tackles in the 1995.[7] Fletcher recorded 90 combined tackles (66 solo), with three sacks, and one safety on defense.[13]
The St. Louis Rams finished first in the NFC West with a 13–3 record and earned a first round bye. On January 16, 2000, Fletcher started in his first career playoff game and recorded 11 combined tackles (eight solo) and made one sack during a 49-37 victory against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Divisional Round. The following week, he made nine combined tackles as the Rams defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11-6 in the NFC Championship Game. On January 30, 2000, Fletcher started in Super Bowl XXXIV and recorded 11 combined tackles (nine solo) as the Rams defeated the Tennessee Titans 23-16.[13] He also was named to the All-Madden team and as a second alternate to the Pro Bowl for the first time.
2000
On February 2, 2000, St. Louis Rams’ head coach Dick Vermeil announced his decision to retire. The St. Louis Rams promoted offensive coordinator Mike Martz to head coach.[14] Martz retained Fletcher, Collins, and Jones as the starting linebackers. He started in the St. Louis Rams’ against the Denver Broncos and collected a season-high 14 combined tackles (nine solo) and made two sacks during their 41-36 victory. On November 12, 2000, Fletcher made six solo tackles, forced a fumble, and made his first career interception during a 38-24 at the New York Giants in Week 11. Fletcher intercepted a pass by Giants’ Kerry Collins, that was intended for wide receiver Ike Hilliard, and returned it for a 12-yard gain during the third quarter.[15] In Week 13, Fletcher recorded seven combined tackles, was credited with half a sack, and made a season-high two interceptions during a 31-24 loss against the New Orleans Saints. He made both interceptions off pass attempts by Saints’ quarterback Aaron Brooks.[16] In Week 15, he recorded ten combined tackles (nine solo) and two sacks during a 40-29 victory against the Minnesota Vikings. His performance earned him NFC Defensive Player is the Week honors.[7] He led the team with 193 tackles on defense and special teams, eclipsing the old franchise mark of 185 set by LB Jim Collins in 1984. Fletcher recorded 132 combined tackles (105 solo) solely on defense and made four interceptions and 5.5 sacks in 16 games and 15 starts.[17]
2001
In 2001, Fletcher earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors twice and was an alternate to the pro bowl for the third straight season. In a game against the San Francisco 49ers on September 23, he led the team with a career-high 21 tackles, 15 solo. The second time was after his big performance against the New England Patriots on November 18 as he led the team with 17 tackles with one pass deflection. He forced a fumble on the Rams’ three-yard line that led to a 97-yard scoring drive to end the first half and intercepted a Tom Brady pass with 5:18 left in the third quarter for an 18-yard return.[18] This season, the Rams made the Super Bowl XXXVI but were defeated by the Patriots 20–17, after kicker Adam Vinatieri made a game-winning 48-yard field goal as time expired.
Buffalo Bills
On March 6, 2002, the Buffalo Bills signed Fletcher to a five-year, .12 million contract that includes a signing bonus of million.[19]
In the 2002 season, his first season with the Bills, Fletcher set a career-high for himself as well as a franchise record with 209 tackles, which broke the old mark of 206 set by Chris Spielman in 1996. He also was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate eight times though he never was actually a Pro Bowler as a Bill even though in 2002 he was a second alternate to the game.[20] Since 2002, Fletcher started all 16 regular season games for the Bills until his last season in 2006, when he recorded a team-high 157 tackles, including nine for loss, set a career-high with 14 deflections and tied a career-high with four interceptions. On September 10, in the first regular season game, Fletcher scored his first career touchdown after recovering a fumble by the Patriots' Tom Brady and returning it five yards for a touchdown only 12 seconds into the game.[21] Fletcher was named a 2007 Pro Bowl alternate in his last season as a member of the Bills.
Washington Redskins
Fletcher (#59) pursuing Vernand Morency with Rocky McIntosh (#52) in 2007 season.
On March 2, 2007, Fletcher signed with the Washington Redskins to a five-year, million contract.[22][23] He immediately became the team's starting middle linebacker. With his first season on the team, he was named co-winner of the B.J. Blanchard Award, an honor given annually to a Redskins player who best helps the local media do their jobs, along with quarterback Jason Campbell.[7] Fletcher continued his Pro Bowl-caliber run with the Redskins in 2008.
"I think he's one of the most underrated players in the league. Pound for pound, you can't measure the way he plays and what he means to that team."
–Lawyer Milloy
Former Buffalo Bills’ teammate
He was the Redskins' defensive co-captain for the team from 2008 season until he retired.[24] Also in 2008, the Redskins nominated Fletcher as their Walter Payton Man of the Year Award representative.[25]
Fletcher was named to the NFC squad in the 2010 Pro Bowl after Jonathan Vilma's New Orleans Saints qualified for Super Bowl XLIV,[26] the first Pro Bowl selection in his career. Fletcher was also one of three candidates for the 2009 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which was ultimately won by the Kansas City Chiefs's Brian Waters.[27]
After the Redskins' switch to a 3–4 defensive scheme, Fletcher moved from the middle linebacker position to the left inside linebacker for the 2010 season. He made the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive time in 2010, where he had an interception which set up a touchdown for the NFC.
Despite not making the 2012 Pro Bowl starting roster, Fletcher led the entire league in tackles with 166 tackles by the end of the 2011 season.[28] He started all 16 games of the 2011 season and recorded 166 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, and eight pass breakups. Fletcher, however, did make it as alternate for the 2012 Pro Bowl along with teammates, Brian Orakpo and Lorenzo Alexander.[29] On January 9, 2012, Fletcher was added to the NFC 2012 Pro Bowl roster after Brian Urlacher confirmed that he would not be participating.[30] On January 11, 2012, it was announced that Fletcher won the Bart Starr Award.[31] He was also named the Redskins' 2011 Defensive Player of the Year.[32]
Fletcher on the sidelines at the 2013 Pro Bowl.
On April 13, 2012, Fletcher was re-signed by the Redskins to a two-year contract worth .75 million with .25 million guaranteed.[33][34] He was given the 87th ranking in the NFL Network's Top 100 Players of 2012 list.[35] Despite the Redskins' 31-28 loss to the St. Louis Rams in Week 2 of the 2012 season, Fletcher had a stellar performance. In the game, he intercepted quarterback Sam Bradford in the endzone and forced running back Daryl Richardson to fumble in the fourth quarter and the ball was recovered by DeAngelo Hall, which gave the Redskins one last attempt to tie or win the game.[36][37] In the Week 12 win against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, he recorded his second interception for the season making him one of three active NFL players, at that time, to have recorded 20 interceptions and 30 sacks, the other two being Brian Urlacher and Ray Lewis.[38] Fletcher intercepted Joe Flacco in Week 14 against the Baltimore Ravens.[39][40] He had another interception, against Brandon Weeden, in the Redskins' win over the Cleveland Browns.[41] He finished the season with 139 tackles, three sacks, and a career-high five interceptions.[42]
There was doubt over whether Fletcher would return for the 2013 season[43] until it was announced that he had surgery on his left ankle and was scheduled for elbow surgery to prepare for another season with the Redskins on March 6, 2013.[44][45] On November 7, Fletcher started his 208th consecutive game, tying the league's all-time record of most starts by a linebacker last held by retired linebacker Derrick Brooks.[46]
Retirement
On December 18, 2013, Fletcher announced that he was "99 percent" sure that he was going to retire from professional football after the 2013 season.[47][48] Fletcher finished his career having played in 256 consecutive games and starting 215 consecutive games, which is the NFL all-time record of consecutive starts at the linebacker position.[49]
Career awards and highlights
Super Bowl champion (XXXIV)
4× Pro Bowl selection (2009–2012)
2× Second-team All-Pro selection (2011, 2012)
NFL combined tackles leader (2011)
Bart Starr Man of the Year Award (2012)
Redskins Ring of Fame (2019)[50]
Personal life
Fletcher and his wife Charne have three children, two daughters, Paige and Brooke, and a son, Cortland Steele.[7]
Fletcher is a Christian. Fletcher spoke about his conversion to Christianity saying, "I spent years chasing things I thought would bring me everlasting joy and happiness: chasing Super Bowl rings or a multi-million dollar contract; or a new house, cars and jewelry. None of those things did for me what Christ did in an instant."[51]
Fletcher was named a Pro Bowl alternate eleven times during his career and did not play in his first one until the 2010 Pro Bowl via replacing Jonathan Vilma. As a result, Fletcher called himself the NFL version of Susan Lucci, who won a Daytime Emmy in 1999 after 19 nominations.[52]
NFL career statistics
Legend
Bold
Career high
Year
Team
GP
Tackles
Fumbles
Interceptions
Comb
Total
Ast
Sack
FF
FR
Yards
Int
Yards
Avg
Long
TD
PD
1998
STL
16
14
11
3
0.0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1999
STL
16
90
66
24
3.0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2000
STL
16
132
105
27
5.5
1
0
0
4
33
8
12
0
8
2001
STL
16
116
89
27
4.5
4
0
0
2
18
9
18
0
5
2002
BUF
16
147
97
50
3.0
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2003
BUF
16
133
96
37
2.0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
2004
BUF
16
142
92
50
3.5
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
2005
BUF
16
157
104
53
4.0
1
2
0
1
20
20
20
0
3
2006
BUF
16
146
104
42
2.0
0
1
0
4
30
8
17
1
11
2007
WAS
16
129
100
28
0.0
0
1
0
3
36
12
27
1
10
2008
WAS
16
133
96
37
0.5
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
2009
WAS
16
142
95
47
2.0
1
0
0
1
2
2
2
0
6
2010
WAS
16
136
87
49
2.5
3
3
-3
1
0
0
0
0
11
2011
WAS
16
166
96
70
1.5
3
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
8
2012
WAS
16
139
78
61
3.0
1
0
0
5
29
6
10
0
11
2013
WAS
16
111
63
48
2.0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
Career
256
2,032
1,379
653
39.0
20
12
-3
23
168
7
27
2
92
Playoffs
Year
Team
GP
Tackles
Fumbles
Interceptions
Comb
Total
Ast
Sack
FF
FR
Yards
Int
Yards
Avg
Long
TD
PD
1999
STL
3
31
24
7
1.0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2000
STL
1
8
5
3
0.0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2001
STL
3
14
9
5
0.0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2007
WAS
1
2
2
0
0.0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2012
WAS
1
15
5
10
0.5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Career
9
70
45
25
1.5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
No, he has never been a MVP. You won't see Defensive Player of the Year on his bio.
Look even further into Fletcher's past and you won't even see what round he was selected in, since he went undrafted in 1998.
Besides being arguably one of the best undrafted defensive players in the NFL's history, London Fletcher will be a Hall of Famer one day.
It won't happen on the first ballot and most likely not on the second. But just like Art Monk's recognition was long overdue, London Fletcher will have his day in Canton.
Here are three reasons why the 37-year-old out of John Carroll University will end up in the Hall of Fame when all is said and done.
Consistency
1 OF 3
Over his 14-year career, London Fletcher has been the model for consistency. He currently is tied for the active lead for most consecutive games played by a positional player (but who really counts kickers?!).
At 224 consecutive starts, Fletcher is tied with Ronde Barber of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, Fletcher trails Barber in active consecutive starts at 199 to 179.
While Barber's accomplishments are noteworthy, Fletcher's deserve even more recognition due to the position he plays. At his inside linebacker or middle linebacker spot, the former college point guard is taking a beating on every play.
The trajectory for a running back's career in the NFL is significantly shortened because of the amount of punishment they have to endure each game. The same can be side with middle linebackers, especially in the concussion-conscious league of today.
The only linebacker to crack the top ten in all-time consecutive starts is the immortal Derrick Brooks at 208. If London Fletcher remains injury-free for the duration of his current contract, he will pass Brooks by two games, placing him on the list at seventh all time.
Productivity
2 OF 3
London Fletcher doesn't have the interception or sack totals that jump off of a page at you, but he has been one of the most productive defensive players in the league since the turn of the century.
Before the start of last season, London Fletcher had the most tackles in the NFL since 2000, besting Ray Lewis by 195. After the 2011 season, Fletcher extended that lead to 266.
Lewis, the same age as Fletcher even though he broke into the league two years earlier, has only played in a full 16 game season eight times in his career. Fletcher has played a full season 12 out of 14 seasons in the league.
Let's take a closer look at their career stats side-by-side from NFL.com:
Combined Tackles
Solo Tackles
Assits
Sack
INT
FF
London Fletcher
1,546
1,056
490
34
18
17
Ray Lewis
1,279
928
351
40.5
31
16
While tackles weren't officially a recorded stat until 2001, it's clear that throughout his career, London Fletcher has been a tackling machine. What is also clear is that he never played on a defensive powerhouse like Ray Lewis has.
The Baltimore Ravens have been an elite defense for over a decade now. While they've had some years less productive than others, every team goes up against the Ravens game planning against their great defense.
Early in his career, Fletcher and his Rams' defensive squad played second fiddle to the greatest show on turf. From 2002-2006, Fletcher suffered an ailment that will soon undermine Mario Williams and that is having to play for the Buffalo Bills.
Fletcher would have to wait until his time in DC to be officially recognized for his playing abilities by selection to the Pro Bowl.
'What ifs' will never get any player into the Hall of Fame, but just imagine how productive Fletcher could have been if he had the same supporting cast Ray Lewis has enjoyed over his storied career.
Character
3 OF 3
You'd be hard-pressed to find a better person in the NFL's history than London Fletcher. Fletcher is a three-time finalist for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year award (as many nominations as Pro Bowl appearances and yet probably the bigger snub).
This year, Fletcher won the Athletes in Action/Bart Starr Award for outstanding character and leadership on the field and in the community. Past winners include Darrell Green, Drew Brees, Kurt Warner and Reggie White.
Fletcher has contributed off-the-field with his involvement in, "the Redskins’ Harvest Feast, the “Stuff a Backpack” School Supply Drive, The Children’s Inn and visits to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, in addition to starting his own non-profit in 2003, London's Bridge Foundation.
The Ohio based non-profit helps underprivileged and underrepresented youth in his hometown Cleveland, Ohio; Washington, DC; Buffalo, NY and Charlotte, NC.
The foundation helps children through mentoring and charitable programs to instill the core values of good citizenship and public service by building a foundation for, "standards of education, leadership, teamwork, health and fitness."
Fletcher is one of the rare athletes in today's NFL that doesn't worry fans and the organization when they're off the field. His integrity and humility are things that Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen hope are contagious. For the 2012 season, rookie franchise quarterback Robert Griffin III's locker has been placed directly next to London Fletcher's.
Fletcher has been mentoring youths off the field since 2003 and the Washington Redskins hope he can successfully mentor the leader of the team's youth movement in RGIII.
Many voters may not see London Fletcher as Hall of Fame worthy soon after his retirement and there will be plenty of detractors when he eventually gets elected. But one thing no one can argue is that London Fletcher is a hall of fame person which is something the sports world could use more of.
During a special halftime tribute alongside Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Doug Williams, former Redskins linebacker Fletcher stood in awe as he became forever etched into franchise history.
"Redskins nation, I've been working for this my whole life," Fletcher exclaimed during his halftime speech, surrounded by media and family members.
"When I think about this storied franchise ... you know for me to be the 50th member of the Ring of Fame. That's special. There's been a lot of great football players for this organization, and I always try to represent the burgundy and gold on and off the field in a matter that would be pleasing to the players that played prior to me and those who are coming up after me."
Fletcher then mentioned Redskins legends Art Monk, Dexter Manley, and Charles Mann as examples of historic burgundy and gold figures he strived to become during his time in Washington.
Washington Redskins
✔
@Redskins
.@LFletcher59 is officially in the Ring of Fame #HTTR
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During his seven seasons in Washington, Fletcher was instrumental within the core of the Redskins defense. A four-time Pro Bowler, Fletcher recorded at least 111 tackles in each season in Washington, with a career high of 166 coming in 2011 that led all NFL defenders.
Fletcher started in each game he appeared for Washington, totaling 112 starts. Over the duration of his 16-year NFL career appeared in 256 games
While Redskins great London Fletcher won’t be part of the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, the linebacker will still be inducted later this year as a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
The National Football Foundation and College Hall Of Fame announced Monday that Fletcher, who had a prolific career at John Carroll University, will be part of a class featuring 13 players and two coaches.
According to the release, the 2019 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted during the 62nd NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 10, 2019, at the New York Hilton Midtown. Fletcher, from the class of 1998, will be the first graduate of John Carroll University to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Fletcher joins a class that includes Joe Thomas (Wisconsin), Troy Polamalu (USC), Vince Young (Texas), Raghib "Rocket" Ismail (Notre Dame), Terrell Buckley (Florida State), Rickey Dixon (Oklahoma), Jacob Green (Texas A&M), Torry Holt (NC State), Darren McFadden (Arkansas), Jake Plummer (Arizona State), Lorenzo White (Michigan State) and Patrick Willis (Mississippi). The coaches are Joe Taylor (Howard, Virginia Union, Hampton, Florida A&M) and Dennis Erickson (Idaho, Wyoming, Washington State, Miami Florida, Oregon State, Arizona State).
During his time at John Caroll, Fletcher was a two-time First Team All-American and Football Gazette's 1997 Division III Linebacker of the Year. In his senior season, he helped JCU win its first playoff game in school history and was named the Ohio Athletic Conference most outstanding linebacker in 1997.
Over his entire college career, he recorded 386 tackles, 37 tackles for loss, 14 sacks and three interceptions along with two touchdowns. During his senior year, he collected 202 tackles, a single-season school record.
The school officially retired his No. 3 jersey in 2017 as part of JCU honoring of the 1997 season.
Fletcher, of course, would go on to earn four Pro Bowl selections after joining the Redskins and finished his NFL career with 215 consecutive games started, which are tied for the sixth-most in league history and the most by a linebacker.
"We are extremely proud to announce the 2019 College Football Hall of Fame Class," said Archie Manning, NFF Chairman and a 1989 College Football Hall of Famer from Mississippi. "Each of these men has established himself among the absolute best to have ever played or coached the game, and we look forward to immortalizing their incredible accomplishments. The Class will be part of a momentous year as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of college football this season."