Category Archives: University of Texas

Campbell, Earl “Tyler Rose” (2)

utud11 campbellCard: UT Upper Deck 2011
Acquired: 11/23/2012, Fiterman Autograph Event
See Also: Earl Campbell, Earl Campbell (3)


I could not pass up the Fiterman Autograph Event in 2012, which included Heisman winners Earl Campbell and Billy Cannon and a lot of Oilers I had TTM woes with. The price was expensive, but cheap when prorated out in bulk, averaging out to under 20.00 an autograph. Earl Campbell’s alone typically goes for $100.00 per item, making it all a worthwhile deal.  While there was hiccups in shipping due to overwhelming demand, I did indeed receive all the cards back that I had wanted signed, including this gem. I skipped over Earl at the 610 event back in August, because I anticipated the long lines. He also was signing items shorthanded, with ‘E Campbell’  and no inscriptions. This set off a lot of collectors who screamed murder about the shortened sig. I really didn’t care, but to get this one back with the full signature and his number certainly made my day.

The Tyler Rose was the 43rd winner of the Heisman Trophy, and part of the 1991 NFL HoF class. He’s become a prominent businessman around Austin, slowly building a meat products enterprise under his name. He also has a restaurant in the ABIA airport as well.

Exerpt from Bum Phillips, NFL HoF presentation speech: Thank you. If ya’ll were looking into this sun, you’d know why I’m wearing a hat. I’d like to thank the Hall of Fame for giving me the opportunity to come back up to this part of North Texas. [This isn’t Texas.] Oh, it’s not? There’s a whole lot of people that deserve congratulations — the Hall of Fame, the enshrinees — but I want to send a special congratulations to the people of Canton, Ohio and the state of Ohio for that parade this morning. That was — That was outstanding. That’s the best think I’ve ever seen.

I’ve had some tough jobs in my life, but believe me, this is one of the toughest: Introduce a guy that made almost 10,00 yards, a guy that’s been in every newspaper and on every TV camera for the last 30 days, a guy that’s the best running back that I’ve ever seen in my life — and they tell me to do it in less than four minutes. Some of his runs lasted that long.

Earl and I’ve been — Earl and I’ve been friends a long time. He came down — one thing I appreciate about him is his loyalty — he came down — he’s a great hunter, great outdoorsman, great sportsman — and he wanted to go quail hunting. So, I told him, “Okay, I’ll take you over to Orange and let you go on my grandpa’s place.” We get over there and drive up to the ranch house. There’s a whole bunch of dogs in the yard, and course they knew me and didn’t know Earl. So I said, “You’re gonna have to sit in the car.” So I went inside and talked to my grandpa and he told me where everything was. And I got out and got back. Just as I was getting ready to go out of the house, he said, “Bum,” he said, “would you do me a favor?” I said, “Yes, sir.” He said, “On your way in,” he said, “you saw that old white barn down there?” I said, “Yes, sir.” He said, “Well, that old gray mule standing out there is 29 years old.” And he said, “I’ve raised that thing since she was a baby.” And he said, “The vet told me to have to put her down, and she’s really in misery and I don’t have the heart to do it. Would you stop by there and put her out of her misery?” I said, “Yes, sir.” So I get back in the car and we go on down the road and Earl said, “What did he say?” I thought well I’ll just kind of mess with him a little bit. I said, oh so and so said we couldn’t hunt. Well, he swelled up. I mean he got mad and we’re going along there. We get about even with that mule. I said, “I’ll tell you what I’m going to do: I’m going to go shoot his mule.”

So I — I stop and I get out and I go over there and of course put the mule out of her misery and come back — no Earl Campbell. About that time I hear “Boom! Boom!” and I look and here come Earl running across the hill — said, “Bum, let’s get out of here; I got his horse and his dog.” And if that ain’t loyalty, I don’t know anything about loyalty.

Redding, Cory “C-Red”

poff03 reddingleaf03r&s reddingCards: Score 2007, Bowman 2003, Leaf Rookies & Stars 2003, Playoff Prestige 2003
Acquired: In Person 2/15/13,  Redd’s Haircutz

An impact linebacker at the high school level, Cory Redding was the recruit that all the colleges wanted. In the end he became the linchpin to Mack Brown‘s 1999 recruiting class at the University of Texas.  He’d earn a mountain of accolades, including Big 12 rookie of the year, posting 26 tackles, 2 sacks, and 13 special teams stops. As each year progressed with the Longhorns, the awards and watch lists for Cory increased. In 2000, he was honorable mention All-Big 12, with 52 tackles, 17 TFL, and 6.5 sacks, starting at defensive end. In 2001, Cory was tabbed for 2nd Team All- American and first team Big 12 with 57 tackles, 5 sacks and 14 TFL. The 2002 season was the culmination of it all, when he was the first Texas Lombardi finalist since Tony DeGrate. He finished the season as 1st Team All-American with 76 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 24 TFL.

sco07 reddingSurprisingly, C-Red was not drafted until the 3rd round of the 2003 Draft by the Detroit Lions. He didn’t get into the starting lineup until the following season. Redding strung together 66 consecutive starts from defensive end, and then later kicked inside to tackle for the Lions. His best season came in 2006, when Cory recorded 39 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 8 sacks. He was rewarded with a generous contract by the Lions who made him team captain and the highest paid defensive tackle in the league.By 2008 injuries ended C-Red’s streak, as groin and knee injuries placed him on injured reserve in December of that season. Needing to free up some cap space and fix their team, the Lions traded Cory to the Seattle Seahawks in 2009 in exchange for LB Julian Peterson and a 5th round pick. Starting 3 games that season, Redding had 2 sacks, 18 tackles, and 2 FF. Left unprotected, he’d sign with the Baltimore Ravens and have some memorable situations showing up at the right time in big games, starting 22 games over the next two seasons and recording 7.5 sacks and 60 tackles. After the 2011 season, (much to my chagrin,) he’d play his final season for the Indianapolis Colts.

bow03 reddingI had gotten word on the radio of Cory’s new shop opening up in Austin off of 1300 the Zone. I then checked out his Twitter feed to confirm and then ordered the cards I needed since I hadn’t been able to find any the last time I visited the card shop. He apparently comes from a family that loves to cut hair, and he grew up around that environment, so going into the clipping business seems like quite a natural fit for the former defensive tackle. C-Red’s shop handles all the old fashioned trimmings and cuts, but also does the warm towel treatments and flat razor shaves- something I enjoyed immensely. Cory was really nice and engaging with fans. It did start off slowly, but as the 5 O’clock hour approached, things seemed to be extremely happening. I could tell he was very excited about the whole thing. He was more than happy to sign a few cards and take a photo with me.  When I asked him why he didn’t respond to my twitter question, he told me that “He doesn’t talk to people who wear masks.” He and I then shared a laugh about it since in my profile picture I do have a mask on. There were a few Longhorns who showed up including Rod Babers, Rodrique Wright, and Mark Henry “The Strongest Man in the World”. I briefly had a stare down with Mark- and quickly lost.

redd'sI later saw Cory again at the Austin Longhorn Youth Foundation’s Bowling tournament the next day. He smiled and told me I was looking dapper with my new haircut.  All in all a very good experience meeting Cory and well worth taking the small amount of time off from work to see him open his shop. You can visit his barber shop’s web portal at: http://www.reddshaircutz.com.

 

 

G/Gs  145/114       Tac  263    Sac  27.5    Fum 10      Int  1    Yds 0   Avg 0.0  Td 0  Lg 0

 

Street, James (1948-2013)

Cards: UT UD 2011, UT UD 2011 Monumental Moments 12/6/69, UT UD 2011 Monumental Moments 1/1/70, UT UD 11 All-Time Alumni.
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Home
Sent: 7/10    Recieved: 11/28   (172 days)

Longview, Texas’ very own James Street was the quarterback at the center of the University of Texas’ dynasty during the late 60’s. When Darrell Royal put  James Street in to pilot the wishbone offense during the 3rd game of the 1968 season, he had no idea how well Street would play.  James went on to lead the team in passing in both 1968 and ’69, and back to back SWC titles in those years. In 1969 he led
the team in total offense, and was named team MVP. That season was magical for Street.  As co-captain, he earned All-SWC honors, and won two critical and hard fought contests to claim to claim the National Title.

The first was a Dec 6 contest against the Arkansas Razorbacks. The ‘Backs and the Longhorns had a long and bloodied history that rivaled at some point that of the one between the Longhorns and Sooners. As Texas ramped up its football program under Darrell Royal, the rivalry grew between the two teams. Billed as the “Game of the Century” or the “Big Shootout”, #1 Texas and #2 Arkansas met at
Razorback Stadium. Even President Nixon showed up. Texas had handed Arkansas its only loss of the season the previous year and the Razorbacks wanted revenge. The Longhorns were unable to adjust early on to the suffocating ‘Backs defense and through out 3 quarters, it looked like Arkansas was going to win, up 14-0 going into the 4th quarter, but all James Street needed against the highly regarded ‘Backs defense, was that one quarter. To start the fourth, Street darted into the endzone for the TD, then converted the 2 point conversion by diving in to make it 14-8.  After the Longhorns stopped the Razorbacks with an interception in the endzone, the Longhorns dive stalled and facing a 4th and 3 in their own territory they decided to go for it. Calling the Right 53 Veer Pass, Street executed it marvelously throwing into double coverage into the arms of Randy Peschel. It was good enough to set up the tying touchdown and go ahead extra point. Texas won the game 15-14 and set up the final showdown with Notre Dame.

On January 1st, 1970, Notre Dame decided to meet UT in the Cotton Bowl for the National Championship (-after undefeated Penn State declined). Carrying a 19 game winning streak into the game, UT was still battle worn from its previous epic contest almost a month ago against Arkansas. Spotting Joe Theisman and Notre Dame a 10-0 lead, Texas began to really put it back together in the second half. Down 3, with 7 minutes to play, UT mounted a historic drive, converting 2 fourth down attempts on 17 plays.  Street himself completed an incredibly clutch pass to Cotton Spreyer setting the team up at the 2 yard line. They’d get the go ahead score and win the game 21-17 to claim the National Title. While Street didn’t have the greatest game, he led the Longhorns on 3 70+ yard drives. The game also served as the Texas’ program’s 500th. After the game LBJ stopped in to congratulate James Street and the Longhorns.

Back then players didn’t immediately go into the NFL, and it looked like Street’s destiny lied in baseball. An excellent pitcher James went 29-8 with a 1.86 ERA for the Longhorns, and even played in the farm system the previous year for the Boulder Collegians. An arm injury changed everything for James at the College World Series in 1970.  He’s gone into business since then, and formed The James Street Group, which gives financial advice to people receiving structured settlements. In 1999, Street was inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame, and the Texas Hall of Fame in 2000.

Another one I had almost given up on, 5 months was just enough to get me a bit nervous. I really liked the photos on these cards. The player card of Street looks great. I think the framing on the imagery is great, and I am grateful that they used a color shot. The classy Monumental Moments, well- I really like the gold one which was a limited numbered card -was dead on. It’s a great shot of Street before 53 Veer. The second one, is not so great, but it catches what seems to almost be a candid or tender moment between James and Coach Royal amid the fanfare of the contest between the Longhorns and the Irish. James returned the check I sent, and I hope he took my advice and had lunch up at El Patio over under the shadow of ‘The Drag’.

James Street passed away on Monday, September 30th 2013 of a heart attack at the age of 65.