Sacramento. The newly renovated Country Club Plaza Mall at Watt and El Camino in Sacramento hosts a regional Sports Card and Collectibles Show December 7th through 9th.
Promoted by California Sports Card Shows of Redding, California, this premiere event promises to draw thousands of fans, young and old. The Country Club Show offers collectors a chance to buy, sell and trade with some of California’s finest dealers in sports cards, sports and movie memorabilia, toys, anime, comics, and collectibles. A Free Memorabilia Giveaway will take place courtesy of Classic Sports, located at the Food Court, during all Show hours.
In addition to a fabulous selection of merchandise, sports enthusiasts will be treated to an appearance by two favorite celebrities. RUSS FRANCIS, San Francisco 49er Super Bowl Champ, will sign free autographs for collectors on Saturday, December 8th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. near Gottschalks.
“In addition to signing autographs, Mr. Francis enjoys meeting fans, chatting with them and taking pictures,” says Carole Berry, Promoter of the event. “Mr. Francis is always a popular guest with fans because he recognizes the importance of fans, their voices, their stories, as an integral part of his popularity.” Russ Francis during his fourteen year career with the NFL played for the New England Patriots and the San Francisco 49ers. He started his career as a first round draft pick in 1975 with the Patriots where he played until 1980.
Francis spent the next years of his career on the West coat playing for the San Francisco 49er’s receiving passes from legendary quarterback Joe Montana. In 1984 he became a Super Bowl Champion with the 49ers. In 1988 his NFL career came to a close as he played his last season back in New England with the Patriots. His outstanding career stats include 393 catches for 5,262 yards and 40 touchdowns. Russ Francis currently hosts a popular radio talk show, “The Russ Francis Show,” Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon on Concord’s WTPL: 107.7 FM in Concord New Hampshire.
Sports enthusiasts will be treated as well to an appearance by Oakland Raider Legend OTIS SISTRUNK, fondly known to fans as an alumnus of “The University of Mars”*. Mr, Sistrunk will sign autographs and greet fans during all show hours (Friday, December 7th through Sunday, December 9th.) Cost of autographs is $20.00. Otis Sistrunk played seven seasons as a defensive lineman, from 1972 to 1978. He played his entire career with the Oakland Raiders of the NFL. Mr. Sistrunk later became a professional wrestler (in the National Wresting Alliance) He also appeared in three films in the 1970’s.
Mr. Sistrunk was one of the few NFL payers of his day to not play college football, going directly from high school to the semi-pro Continental Football League in 1965. After three years in the CPFL, a Los Angeles Rams scout spotted Sistrunk and believed the 22-year-old could play in the NFL; eventually Sistrunk wound up in Oakland.
Sistrunk was named to the Pro Bowl in 1974. Since leaving football, Sistrunk has fashioned a second successful career as an Army civilian employee. Today, he runs Cowan and Memorial Stadium at Fort Lewis, Washington.
*During a Monday Night Football telecast, a television camera beamed a sideline shot of Sistrunk’s steaming bald head to the nation. That, along with his lack of a college education, prompted ABC commentator and ex-NFL player Alex Karras to suggest that Otis’ alma mater was the “University of Mars.” [From Wikipedia.]
The Country Club Plaza Sports Card and Collectibles Show takes place during Mall hours Friday, December 7th through Sunday, December 9th. Country Club Plaza is located at 2310 Watt Ave. – Watt and El Camino (Gottschalks and Macys) in Sacramento.
For more information on this event or driving directions, contact California Sports Card Shows at 530 241 4063 or www.tbcashows.info or Country Club Plaza on line at www.countryclubplazamall.com or 916 481 6716.
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