University of Texas

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.

NFL

Kelso, Mark “The Great Gazoo”

Cards: ProSet 1989, Score 1990, Upper Deck 1993
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Mark Kelso always looked like a little kid out there playing football. As the first player to wear a ‘ProCap’ helmet, he was actually over 20 years ahead of the game and its current state in regards to concussions. Mark began wearing the helmet after his first concussion in 1989, when he was diagnosed with migrane syndrome and although it looked quite ridiculous, the helmet with its extra level of padding probably helped Kelso sustain his playing career another 5 years (primarily) for the Bills.  The helmet earned him the nickname ‘The Great Gazoo’, (after the alien from the “Flintstones” TV series, who wore a helmet similar in shape,) and constantly was pointed out and circled by TV commentators- only endearing him to Bills fans further.

Mark Kelso was a safety drafted in the 10th round by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1985 out of William & Mary. The Eagles were stacked at the position, so the smaller Kelso standing at 5’11”, 177 found himself in a numbers game and unable to crack the squad. The Bills picked Mark up and he soon became a fixture at free safety for the Bills by the 1987 season. A ball hawk, Kelso always happened to be at the right place, at the right time in the Bills defensive scheme. In 1987 he recorded 6 picks, and recorded 2 fumbles- one of which he returned for a touchdown. He quickly followed the season up in 1988, recording a career high 7 interceptions, for a league leading 180 yards and a touchdown. Mark wasn’t done as he bookended the two season in 1989 with another 6 picks and 2 fumble recoveries. Teams began to throw away from Mark by 1990, respecting his abilities. Over those next two years he’d have back to back 2 pick seasons, before returning to form one more season in 1992 with 7 more interceptions. Mark was truly unsung over his career with the Bills, and while he did post stellar numbers at Free Safety, he received no Pro Bowl nominations or attention for his numbers outside of the AFC East, outside of winning the Byron “Whizzer” White NFL Man of the Year award in 1993 for community development.  Sadly, the ProCap retired with Kelso. It did not catch on because either the perception it was unattractive and/or the helmet makers told players that it would void the warranty of the regular helmet since the ProCap was a ‘stick on’.

Mark has continued to be involved in serious discussions and development of helmet wear to reduce the risk of injuries in pro football and has made his home in Buffalo. He has also done radio color commentary  for Bills games, and is involved with coaching and management of youth sports teams. Oddly, this is the first autograph in the collection where a player inscribed “God Bless” on the card, as opposed to a bible verse.

Part of the ‘Canton Acquisition’, a small collection of autographed cards I acquired from a friend of mine who had fallen on hard times, I found it hard not to justify the purchase. A few of the cards were from players I already had, and after verifying the autographs, I went ahead and made a deal to preserve them from falling into the hands of somebody who might just resell them again. It is a tricky slope, because I am not fond of people who sell or buy autographs, but I felt in this extra ordinary case, the situation was justified. I was disappointed that when I asked the seller about these autographs, he didn’t have any fond memories of the players or why he wrote them- other than the fact that had been doing this in the hope of passing it down to his son.

G/Gs 99/95     Tac  N/a   Fum 8  Sac 0  Int 30    Yds 327    Avg 10.9     Td 1    Lg  78t

NFL

DeCastro, David

Card: Leaf Rookies 2012
Acquired: 2012, Box Breaker

David DeCastro had been on my radar for the Texans right after they lost 2 members of their offensive line to free agency in 2012. He’d be off the board before the Texans even got a whiff of him, going to the Steelers overall with the 24th pick.

DeCastro went to Stanford University, blocking for quarterback Andrew Luck from 2008-2011. He quickly earned notice as a freshman with honorable mention All-Pac 10 honors. After being named a unanimous first team All American in 2011, he declared for the 2012 NFL draft.

He made a great overall impression with his sheer numbers. At 6’4″, 316, he was considered the best guard prospect in the draft, with great lateral speed, and a 5.43 40. The Steelers needed a new man up front to block for Ben Rothlisberger, after the team was gashed early and often by pass rushers last season. Unfortunately in the 3rd game of the preaseason, Decastro suffered a gruesome knee injury, dislocating his knee and tearing his MCL. Thankfully it looks like he will make a full recovery, and with the new NFL rules regarding IR, David hoped to be available by mid-season. Indeed DeCastro made a return in late November, and started the final 3 games of the year for the Steelers.

 

 

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