NFL

Okoye, Amobi

Cards: Playoff Prestige 2007
Acquired: TTM 2009, Texans Blitz
See Also: Okoye, Amobi (2)

Amobi Okoye is officially the youngest player to be drafted in NFL history at 19. Selected in the first round (10th pick) by the Houston Texans in 2007,  at 6’2″, 315, (4.85 40,) Okoye is also the highest Louisville player drafted in the first round.  As he is so young, Okoye is still expected to grow into his frame and has tremendous upside potential. He would earn NFL defensive rookie player of the month honors in 2007- the youngest player to do so. While Okoye made a splash in the NFL his first month, the rest of his transition has been rough and inconsistent. Many critics point to the fact that Okoye, (who will be entering his 4th season in the NFL) hasn’t been the run stopping force that the Texans had hoped he’d be, but Okoye has manned up, taking the blame by stating that he was overwhelmed by the riches the league afforded him and absorbed in starting a charity in his native homeland of Nigeria. Over 2010, Okoye made major strides however, refocusing and setting career highs in tackles and recording his most sacks since his rookie season. On 10/17/10, Amobi made 6 tackles and a sack (on the final play of the game) to preserve the victory over the visiting Kansas City Chiefs, 35-31. After the conclusion to the 2010 season, questions remain as to Okoye’s future with the Texans as with a conversion to the 3-4, it is unknown how he figures into new defensive coordinator Wade Phillip’s plans as an undersized gap shooting NT or a defensive end.

In the meantime Okoye remains active in his native country of Nigeria and recently helped found an American Football program with other members of the NFL there.

 

NFL

Hester, Jessie


Card: Action Packed 1991
Acquired: TTM 1992, Colts Blitz

The 23rd pick of the 1983 draft by the Los Angeles Raiders, Jessie Hester was a marvelous ‘straight ahead’ speedster out of Florida State. His rookie season was pretty solid. Hester would make 665 yards on 32 catches. As a deep threat the Raiders system really appealed to the young player as Jessie averaged a whopping 20.8 yards per reception. In 1984, Hester would then make 23 catches for 632 yards,- an incredible 27.5 yards a reception, but because Hester only made 23 receptions- he didn’t qualify as a league leader. (If he did, his 27.5 average would have made him second all time in the NFL books.) Jessie would play one final season in LA in 1987 and that’s when it’d hit rock bottom for him as he’d only make one catch that season for 30 yards. He would be cut by the Raiders after the season and suffer through another rocky year making 12 catches for the Atlanta Falcons.  
It was in 1990 that Hester would finally find his home with the Indianapolis Colts. He’d have his finest hour as a pro that season making a career high 924 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. I remember NBC even talking during half-time about how the lowly Colts had at least one bright spot in Hester. Jessie would play the next 4 seasons there for the Colts, and held the record for most consecutive games with a reception for the team (until it was broken by Marvin Harrison). He’d garner somewhere over 3300 yards playing with the Colts during his time with them and then sign to play with the Los Angeles Rams, in their final season before heading out to St. Louis for a final season with them before retiring.  Since football Jessie has served as a head coach most notably in Florida where he guided his school to the State Championship game twice. I attempted to get his autograph through his school in early 2010, but did not hear back from him.

G/Gs 147/104      Rec 373      Yds 5850     Avg  15.7     Td  29      lg   81t

NFL, Pro Football HoF

Long, Howie


Card: Score 1989
Acquired: In Person 1990, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Howie Long over the last few years has become pretty well known as a pre-game commentator, Chevy Commercials, Radio Shack, and a few really bad movies, (although I liked him in “Broken Arrow”).

Drafted in the second round of the 1981 draft, Howie would have a respectable rookie season for the Raiders but he would not start any games. In 1982 Long would start 5 games and make 5.5 sacks at left defensive end which would become his home for the next 11 seasons. From 1983-1985 Howie would dominate from the outside, tallying 13,12, and 10 sacks respectively. He’d be named to the Pro Bowl from 1983-1987,1989,1992 and 1993. Of those seasons he’d be named AP in 1984 and 1985 and help the Raiders win SuperBowl XVIII. After the 1993 season Long would retire. Considered by many to be one of the best 3-4 defensive ends of all time, in 2000 he’d be inducted into the NFL HoF on his second ballot,  the NFL All 80s team, and was named NFL defensive player of the year in 1985 by a few publications.
In a more comical moment when I got Howie’s autograph, he completely ignored autograph alley and went inside. 15 minutes later after the crowds slowly started to disperse, Long emerged with his pads off, a Dallas Cowboys shirt on and a gigantic smile. He graciously pawed through the crowds and signed a lot of autographs. Over his career Howie has had two trademark hairstyles first with a pseudo mullet during the 80s and post playing has had a military style flat top. His son Chris, is currently a defensive lineman for the Rams.

G/Gs 179/152    Tac   N/a     Sac 91.5    Fum 10   Int  2    Yds  84  Avg  42.0     Td 0      lg 73

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