Category Archives: University of Texas

NFL, University of Texas

Speyrer, Charles “Cotton”

utud11 speyrerCards: UT Upper Deck 2011, UT Upper Deck 2011 Memorable Moments, UT Upper Deck 2011 Icons
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Home
Sent: 12/10     Received: 12/13  (3 days)

Playing split end for the Texas Longhorns during the advent of the Wishbone under head coach Darrell Royal, Cotton Speyrer was witness to, and a part of integral moments in Texas football history during the late 60s.  Speyrer was an All-American in 1969 and 1970 and All-SWC in 1969. He led the team in receiving in 1968 and 1969 catching passes from quarterback James Street. In the wishbone, it was block first, catch second for the wide receiver corps. On occasion when the run game didn’t work for the Longhorns, they’d put it in the air to Cotton and the receiving corps. During the 1969 Cotton Bowl versus Notre Dame, Cotton had 161 yards receiving and caught two touchdowns in a 21-17 win. He just had this habit of showing up big, in the big games that counted. During his time with the Longhorns, the team won 30 games straight, en route to two National Championships.
utud11 MM 86 passAfter playing for the Longhorns through 1970, Cotton was taken in the second round of the 1971 draft by the Washington Redskins. He did make the roster of the team, but was traded to the Baltimore Colts later in the year for Roy Jefferson. It was through no fault of his own though because, head coach George Allen preferred older, seasoned veterans, versus young, fresh, rookie talent. He’d break his arm in 1971 before he even took the field for the Colts. Speyrer’s rookie season was essentially 1972, where he was used at receiver and later at returner. His best season came in 1973, returning 17 kickoffs for 496 yards (29.2 average) and a 101 yard touchdown against the Bills.  He’d also makeutud11 speyrer icons 17 receptions for 311 yards and 4 touchdowns for the squad that year, and throw a 54 yard TD on a trick play against the Jets. Cotton played another season for the Colts, and then was traded back to the Redskins in 1975.  Unable to make the ‘Skins roster, Cotton was signed by the Dolphins and played on special teams, where he retired in 1976.  He moved back to the Austin area, and has been involved in numerous charitable activities, golf tournaments, and Longhorn reunions.

Speyer marks the fastest response I have ever gotten from an autograph request, at a speedy 3 days.

G/Gs  36/0        Rec  34         Yds    575     Avg 15.7        Td  5      Lg  47
Kr  39      Yds  1035       Avg  26.5         Td 1      Lg 101t
Pr 8      Yds 54     Avg 5.4      Td 0     Lg 18

NFL, University of Texas

Kirkendoll, James (2)

Acquired: In person 6/10/12, 610 Houston Fan Fest
See also: James Kirkendoll “JT Kirk” 

So James wanted a copy of his Upper Deck cards from me at the 2012 Ribfest, but I only had one of them. I could see how sad he was so I volunteered to send him a couple of them there at the Titans practice facility.  Seeing that the 610 Fan Fest was coming up and that he had volunteered to man a table, I detoured from the original plan to send them to him, and just decided to give them to him at Fan Fest in person.

I ran into other like minded fans at the event, but I was not being as aggressive as they were catching the players who were naive enough to wander around the event unescorted past the throngs waiting in line. With their help I was able to find Kirkendoll and Studdard before they even got to the floor, saving me precious time waiting for them later.

I introduced myself again to JT and gave him 4 or 5 copies of the cards. He was very thankful and told me he hadn’t found them anywhere. I told him he should check his facebook more often and he chuckled and said he’d friend me, but really to me it was nothing since he was considered an Austinnite to me. He nicely signed two photos of himself that I had pulled from the web.

NFL, University of Texas

Studdard, Kasey “Studly Stud”

Acquired: In Person, 6/10/12, 610 Houston Fan Fest III

Kasey Studdard had a strong career blocking for the Texas Longhorns from 2003-2006, earning all Big 12 Honors, and Team Captain along the way.  The gritty offensive guard was taken by his hometown Houston Texans with their 6th round pick of the 2007 draft and inserted into their ZBS. Forced into action due to an injury to Ironman Chester Pitts, Studdard started 14 games for the team in 2009.  He’d continue to play for the Texans through 2011, but an injury ended his season and the team opted to not resign him. Restless without football for 2011, Studdard did his time rehabbing and working out to stay in football shape.  The Texans called him up before training camp and resigned him to the squad during 2012, but he’d be cut after the third preseason game. He is quite recognizable to Texans’ fans because of his mangy beard that he has grown out that he claims keeps him cool during the warmer times of the year. (I claim it makes him look like a white version of MMA fighter Kimbo Slice.)

Along with a host of other players at the 610 Fan Fest, I got Kasey and James Kirkendoll without ever setting foot at their table because they were walking around the floor among the crowd. A savvy fan pointed him out, and I was able to go over and score his autograph saving me precious time. I liked this picture of Studdard. They never made a card of him, but I thought this picture captured him in all his glory and grit, and would be perfect for him if they ever did. A popular member of the Longhorns squad, Kasey is considered the model of aggression and grit that fans love from offensive linemen. I am very surprised that Upper Deck didn’t make a Longhorn card of Studdard, but I guess that will have to wait for the ‘second edition’.