NFL, University of Texas

Koy Jr., Ernie “Little Koy”

utud11 er koyCards: UT Upper Deck 2011, UT Upper Deck 2011 Memorable Moments, UT Upper Deck 2011 All-Time Alumni
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent: 3/4      Received: 3/8    (4 days)

A real surprise to open my mailbox and find Ernie Koy responded so kindly and quickly to my autograph request. Inside he signed all 3 cards and told me his fondest moment playing for UT was the 1965 Orange Bowl victory over Alabama, a game in which Koy ripped off a 79 yard touchdown run and finished with a school record at the time, 24 carries for 133 yards. I then realized that he had played in utud11 cotton Navy MMBOTH the ’64 Cotton Bowl and the ’65 Orange Bowl, and had forgotten to include another card.  I later wrote him back to get the final Memorable Moment card signed (in black).

Ernie Koy Jr. and his brother Ted, were part of a family father/sons lineage combo that enjoyed much success through the University of Texas, much like the McCoy family does today. A wingback in the Longhorns much touted Wishbone offense under head coach Darrell Royal, Ernie converted to fullback and led Texas in rushing his Senior season with 707 yards and 10 TDs in 1964. He was also an accomplished punter.

utud11 ekoy MM65A part of the 1965 NFL draft, Ernie was taken in the 11th round by the New York Giants. A multifaceted player, Ernie not only was able to play runningback, but also punter and returner as well. As a member of the shortlived ‘Baby Bulls’ backfield for NY, Koy was a member of a group of basically 5 fullbacks that were straight ahead in-line rushers, and all were roughly the same size and possessed great hands. Upon arriving in New York, Koy was named starting punter and played Flanker throughout his first two seasons.  After a move to Halfback, in 1967 he earned his only Pro Bowl berth, rushing for 704 yards on 146 carries, and 4 touchdowns.  He retired after the 1970 season.utud11 er koy ATA Over his career for New York, Ernie was a jack of all trades as evidenced by his statistics that not only included rushing and receiving, but punting, kick returning, and an occasional pass here or there.

Ernie is an upstanding member of the Texas community. He’s been a successful banker working from the ground floor up, and has given a lot of his time back through his charitable activities. He lives outside of Houston on a 200 some odd acre ranch, and has a masters in education.

G  79     Rush 414    Yds 1723    Avg 4.2     Td 9    Lg  61      |     Rec 76    Yds 498     Avg  6.3     Td 6      Lg 41
Att  12   Comp 6     Yds 129    Pct 50.0   Td  1    Int 1     Rat 81.6
Kr 25    Yds 439   Avg 17.6    Td 0   Lg 38
P 223    Yds 8583   Avg 38.5     Lg 67   Blk  0

College Football HoF, NFL

Green, Tim

Cards: Pro Set Platinum 1992, Score 1992
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Tim Green is almost as famous for what he has done off the field since retiring from football as he was during  his heyday playing years for the Syracuse Fighting Orangemen and the Atlanta Falcons.  Tim Green had a great career at Syracuse. The star defensive end finished his time there with 341 tackles and set the school mark for sacks in a season (15), and in a career (45.5).  Atlanta was direly trying to shore up their 3-4 defensive front, and took Tony Casillas #2, and Tim at #17 during the 1986 NFL Draft. Injuries really wrecked Green’s first 3 campaigns as he’d only start 11 contests over that period. It’d be in 1989 that he was finally able to show his stuff. Injury free, he ranked 3rd on the team with 5 sacks, and 111 tackles. Considered undersized for the position at 6-2, 249, Tim used his quickness and a variety of moves to put constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks.  He’d lead the team in 1990, with 6 sacks and 37 quarterback hurries.  Green again repeated the feat in 1991 as the team leader in sacks with 5. He’d add 3 more sacks to his resume in 1992, and switch to linebacker in his final season during the 1993 season.

Since then Tim has put his pen to paper and written many books. Green also revealed that he suffered some 12 concussions over his playing time in the league. He finished his law degree in 1994 and has been involved with a few firms, but has been active in coaching and commentating on TV, as well as radio for NPR. At one point his name was linked to the open Syracuse job, but ultimately he nobly recommended competing candidate Doug Marrone. Green was inducted into the Greater Syracuse Hall of Fame in 1995 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001.

G/Gs 99/71      Tac N/a      Sac 24.0     Fum 9       Int 0    Yds 0     Avg -.-    Td 0    Lg -.-

NFL

Butler, LeRoy

sco90 butlerCards: Action Packed Rookies 1990, Score 1990
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o The LeRoy Butler Foundation*
Sent: 9/10     Received: 9/26    (16 days)
*donation of $10 per flat.

LeRoy Butler’s story is an inspiring and amazing tale, as he spent the early years of his childhood confined him to a wheelchair.  As he recovered from his impairments, he got up, and never appeared to stop running.  LeRoy was part of a devious secondary for the Florida State Seminoles playing alongside Deion Sanders and high school friend, – runningback Edgar Bennett. He’d replace Sanders in the lineup at cornerback, converting from Safety in 1989. A solid tackler with a good nose for the ball, Butler played well for the Seminoles that year, etching 7 picks and 94 tackles. His 139 return yards that year broke the record set by Sanders, while his 106 yards against Syracuse broke Sanders’ single game mark.  LeRoy also spent time returning kicks, displaying his quickness and speed. He was also named first team All-American from both the AP and UPI in 1989. LeRoy finished his college career with 194 aprks90 butlertotal tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, and 9 interceptions for 202 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Green Bay selected LeRoy with their second round pick of the 1990 draft. Used sparingly his rookie season, Butler still managed 3 picks, 19 tackles, and a forced fumble. That was enough for the coaches to promote him to starter at right cornerback in 1991 and Butler turned in another 3 pick season. As the Packers continued to remake their secondary with the addition of Terrell Buckley in 1992, Butler moved to his native strong safety position.  In the meantime the Packers also drafted Butler’s friend Edgar Bennett as well. It’s here that Butler enjoyed the best football of his career and perhaps for any safety in the league. After a quiet ’92, LeRoy in 1993 had his first AP season, with 6 picks and 2 fumble recoveries. It’d be in this season that he’s best remembered for taking a lateral from teammate Reggie White (who was gassed) and ran a fumble 25 yards into the endzone. At the end of the play LeRoy jumped up into the stands, thereby creating what is known today as ‘The Lambeau Leap’. Butler continued to play the next 9 seasons in Green Bay winning Super Bowl XXXI earning AP honors in 1996, 1997, and 1998. During the 1996 season, LeRoy intercepted 2 passes and returned one of them 90 yards for a score against the San Diego Chargers. Butler suffered a separated shoulder during the 2001 season, ending his season after 9 games.  Quietly though it also ended his career as during training camp the following season, it was discovered that it didn’t heal properly.

Since then Butler has devoted himself to charitable activities and speaking engagements.  A member of the NFL’s All-1990s team, the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, and the first defensive back to earn 20-20 club honors, the hope is as more defensive backs finally get some recognition from the NFL HoF, Butler will also get the honor he’s long deserved.

G/Gs 181/165      Tac 721       Sac 20.5    Fum 13   Int 38    Yds 533     Avg    Td 1   Lg 90t

Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.