Category Archives: NFL

McGarity, Wane

utud11 dneilCard: UT Upper Deck 2011
Acquired: 2015, Spoodog Box Break

Wane McGarity really came into his own in his Senior year with Texas when he recorded 58 catches for 1,087 yards and 9 touchdowns for the Longhorns. Originally a runningback, Wane suffered through knee injuries in both his Freshman and Junior years, while converting to wide receiver over his Sophomore season.

He’d be taken by the Dallas Cowboys in the 4th round of the 1999 draft.  Wane saw the majority of his time on Special Teams. His best season in the NFL came in 2000 when he had 30 punt returns for 353 yards and 2 touchdowns.  In addition Wane clocked 25 receptions for 250 yards. He split his 2001 season between the Cowboys and Saints.

He joined the CFL in 2003, playing for the Calgary Stampeders (2003-2004) primarily as a return man- earning All-Star honors. Later, in 2005 he saw limited action with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

NFL G/Gs 31/2    Rec 39     Yds 363     Avg 9.3     Td 1    Lg 25
Rush  6      Yds  49      Avg 8.2     Td 1     Lg 22
PR 58      Yds 590      Avg 10.2     Td2      Lg 64t

CFL    Rec  131    Yds 1,726    Avg  13.2   Td 11   Lg 51
Rush 12   Yds 48    Avg 4.0    Td 0   Lg 17
KR 52    Yds 1,194   Avg 23.0    Td 0   Lg 53
PR  105   Yds 1,089    Avg 10.4    Td 2   Lg 70t

Peterson, Adrian

ud2009 petersonCards: Upper Deck 2009, Score 2009 Franchise.
Acquired: IP 2015, Adrian Peterson Day, Palestine,Tx.

Adrian Peterson will probably stand to be the best in person success that I have experienced in many years. It seems that every year there’s 3 things going on in the area that prevents me from attending Adrian Peterson Day in Palestine, and this year laid itself out as no different; However I decided to make the trek out to the small Texas town to see what it was all about. Adrian has an amazing, supportive, and wonderful family. They give back to their community, take care of them, their fans, and where they come from. I just felt so positive and happy being there, I almost didn’t even notice how sunburnt I had become from the constant waves of thunderstorms coupled with the brief periods of heat.  I even volunteered to help carry a few things for the family and held an umbrella or two for soaked people walking through the deluge.

petersonLance and I didn’t want to crowd Adrian when he got there. This was his day and he was not required to spend time with his fans. Lance and I waited until he was ready to sign and then got in line. He was nice enough to sign 2 cards for me. The first one- this beautiful Upper Deck College to Pros (UER), he penned his full signature on. The second- a really nice Score Franchise card, he shorthanded. I wasn’t upset about it. I know that I still got his autograph which made me happy.  I felt so good about the event I left with the energy to pay it forward and I will do so, when his charity comes back online.
Adrian Peterson was nothing short of a sensation at Oklahoma. He made a constant mockery of UT during the Cotton Bowl contests, so admittedly I breathed a sigh of relief when he declared early for the NFL Draft in 2007.  Over his 3 years at Oklahoma, Adrian ran for 4,041 yards (73 yards shy of OU All-Time leading rusher Billy Sims) on 748 carries and 48 TDs.  He was also a prodigous track man.

sco09 apeterson FThe 2007 draft had some hits (Calvin Johnson #2 overall) and some misses (JaMarcus Russell #1 overall). Thankfully, Peterson is among the hits, and along with Johnson stands head and shoulders above most of the rest of the draft class. Taken seventh overall, Adrian had hoped to be selected at number six by the Cardinals or at number ten where the Texans were waiting.  Still the Vikings had a perfect situation for him to land in, and Adrian did not disappoint.  Adrian was a slam dunk pick based on his numbers and measurables. It was the injury history that the draft pundits didn’t like. He had broken his foot as a Sophmore and his collarbone as a Junior. Adrian finished his rookie year with 1,341 yards, was named Rookie of the Year and later won Pro Bowl Player of the Game Honors after logging 16 carries for 128 yards and 2 TDs.  He led the NFL in rushing with 1,760 yards in 2008.  In 2009, Adrian led the NFL with 18 rushing TDs.  Adrian’s statistical accomplishments have continued to pile up over the past few years. After an injury shortened 2011, Adrian was named the NFL’s MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in 2012 as he finished with 2,097 yards, the second most in history and only 9 yards off the record set by Eric Dickerson.  After another 1200+ yard season in 2013, controversy surrounded Peterson during 2014, leading to a season long suspension, however  he looked refocused and in game time shape for 2015.

 

 

Johnson, Lee

tntafl14 lee johnsonCard: TNT AFL 2014
Acquired: IP 5/17/14, San Antonio Talons vs. New Orleans Voodoo

Coach Johnson is a veteran of many leagues as both a player and a coach. He’s spent time in the NFL, CFL, NFLE, and AFL. Among his highlights, Johnson coached the defensive line of the Berlin Thunder to two consecutive World Bowl Championships in both 2001 and 2002. He then coached the Denver Crush to the Arena Football Championship in 2004. After taking the reins of the Talons, he coached them to a 14-4 record and a division title, in 2012.

After the San Antonio Talons game against the Iowa Barnstormers I gave out my custom cards to many players on the field. It created such a stir that Coach Johnson came over and asked me where his was. After I joked with him a few seconds about sharing the same first name, he quickly extracted a promise from me to make a custom for him as well.

I arrived at the Talons game versus the Voodoo early as usual. After talking to the COO of the Talons and giving him a copy of the set, he went over to Lee to show him what I had done. Coach immediately came over and talked to me with a broad smile, signed the card and thanked me for the extras. He asked me what I wanted for the cards I made and gave to him, but as usual the most important thing for me is the autograph gracing the card for my own collection, and their enduring happiness and willingness to chase their dreams. You know, on that note, I have always subscribed to the ultimate belief that a true gift is one that is not expected, and for purposes of what I had given to each of these players I know it meant a lot to them.