Card: UT UD 2011
Acquired: C/o Home, 2012
Sent: Received: 7/14 (days)
See also: Steve McMichael “Mongo”
Steve McMichael and Ray Childress were my favorite defensive linemen when I was a kid, so to meet both of them during my younger years was quite a treat to me. I had already gotten back around to Ray, and had been looking for a good excuse to write Steve again, so when the University of Texas Upper Deck 2011 set came out, I thought I had the best justification to do so, and put 3 cards in the mail. Well, I’m guessing Steve didn’t have his UT Upper Deck All American card or his All Time Alumni card as he kept those. Still the fact that he signed his base set card, was what I really wanted most, so to just get only one back from him was fine by me.
McMichael gained notoriety while playing with the Bears for having a penchant to come up with big plays when they mattered. He also started 101 straight games at defensive tackle. Mike Ditka called McMichael the toughest player he ever coached. Now let me stress that again… Mike Ditka called him that. He’d later go on to enjoy a strong wrestling career in the WWF and WCW as Mongo. I even saw him live at the Erwin Center in Austin where fans who remembered were happy to see him. Steve was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. He currently does radio for the pregame show of the Bears outside of Chicago and is head coach of the Chicago Slaughter of the Indoor Football League.
Card: Ultimate 2012
Acquired: In Person, 6/10/2012 Houston 610 Fan Fest III
See Also: Fozzy Whittaker (2)
Fozzy Whittaker is an electric halfback that played for the University of Texas. With deceptive speed and shifty hips he is a do-it-all back that can take the ball to the house anytime he touches it. A tad undersized at 5-10, 198, Fozzy, carried the ball 263 times for 1233 yards and 12 touchdowns, and returned 10 kicks for (-and this is not a typo,) 424 yards and 2 touchdowns in his college career at UT. He’s a great receiver out of the backfield too. Whittaker was not drafted in the 2012 draft because he was still rehabbing from an injury that he incurred during his Senior season. It was a shame as his stock was skyrocketing after his 2 touchdown performance against the Sooners. Scouts however remained interested in him and invited him to the combine where he performed the only test he could at the time- the
benchpress.
When I met Fozzy at the 610 Fan Fest, his line wasn’t too busy but he was one of the first ones open and was so kind taking photos with fans and signing autographs. I had to order this card online to get it in time since I lost out on getting his Upper Deck Rookies card that I wanted. Fozzy smiled and told me he remains committed to his rehabilitation and looks forward to getting a shot with a team this season. Really a cool guy and I wish him all the best for the future.
UPDATE: Fozzy was signed at the beginning of 2013 by the San Diego Chargers to a free agent contract, after sitting out 2012 partially due to rehabilitation from his injuries.
Robert Killebrew was one of the star members of the University of Texas’ defense that helped the team in the National Title Game, posting 6 tackles during the Longhorns 41-38 upset over USC. He finished his career at UT with 179 tackles, 16 TFL, and 5 sacks. A valued inside linebacker and special teamer, Robert had impressive speed posting a sub 4.45 40, and leveled hard hits on opposing offenders. At his proday, Killebrew ran a 4.52 40-yard dash, had a 38-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot, eight-inch broad jump, a 4.24-second short shuttle and completed 19 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press. He measured in at 6-foot and 230 pounds. Robert went undrafted and bounced around some camps before he signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL in 2009, however he wouldn’t make the squad. He’s currently a free agent.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
Card: UT UD 2011
