Tag Archives: gameday 1992

NFL

Smith, Billy Ray

CARDS: ProSet 1989, Score 1989, Fleer 1990, SkyBox 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2020, C/o Home
SENT: 5/16 RECEIVED: 5/26 (10 Days)

Coming from excellent bloodlines (his father Billy Ray Smith Sr played from 1957-1970), Billy Ray Smith Jr was the San Diego Chargers #1 pick in 1983 after an outstanding college career, where he finished second in Lombardi Award voting in both 1981 and 1982. A two time All-American at Arkansas, he started 48 games over his college career, posting 195 unassisted tackles, 63 tackles for loss, 8 fumble recoveries, 13 pass breakups and a pick. A fearsome and instinctual linebacker, Billy Ray Smith quickly established himself as the defensive play caller for the Chargers defense.

In 1985 Billy was voted the team’s most valuable player on defense, from his inside linebacker position. He moved outside in 1986, and immediately paid dividends, notching 11 sacks and again earned the praise of his teammates, earning the team’s defensive MVP award. Billy completed the trifecta in 1987 leading the team in tackles for the second consecutive year and pulling down 5 picks. Over his first 5 seasons with the franchise, Billy finished first or second in tackles on the Chargers defense. He also was named defensive player of the week by the NFL twice in his career. Most notable was a game in 1991 against the Saints, Billy Ray forced and recovered a fumble, intercepted a pass and had two pass breakups, to power the Chargers to a 24-21 win. All in all, Billy Ray Smith had a very solid and productive NFL career, playing 9 seasons for the Chargers retiring after the 92 season.

Smith was inducted into the University of Arkansas HoF in 97, earning both All Decade (80s) Honors and All Century Honors from the Razorbacks.

One of the kindest players in the TTM business, Billy Ray Smith went out of his way to sign these 5 cards for me and write me a personal response, thanking me and praising me for sending him one of his best letters.

I am always blown away by when a player takes the time to respond personally to my requests, and this one was no different. Billy Ray Smith was a pretty solid player and I always thought his omission from the game was a big slight, so I had no problem creating him and having him go one on one inside with big backs and taking them down.

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NFL

Smith, Sammie (2)

CARDS: Skybox 1992, GameDay 1992, Action Packed 1990, Action Packed 1991
ACQUIRED: TTM 2020, C/o Home
SENT: 1/21 RECEIVED: 2/3 (13 DAYS)
SEE ALSO: SAMMIE SMITH

Sammie Smith’s career was short, but was punctuated by all the high flying brands at the time. I had and still have a few more cards of his I’d love to get signed, but due to rules that I impose on myself about asking too many and too soon, I waited about 10 years to give Sammie another shot.

Sammie since his release and redemption from his time in prison, has gotten his degree, and worked for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is the Chaplain/ Director of Character Development for the Ole Miss football team and has recommitted himself to Christ. Sammie also acts as an assistant with the recruiting trips as well.

A real treat of cards here of Sammie, I was really hoping he’d be my first success for 2021. I can’t say enough about the Skybox and his Action Packed entries. His 91 Action Packed is probably one of my favorites, especially the way the light hits his helmet. Really goes to show you how sports photography is an art.

NFL

Harmon, Ronnie

Cards: Skybox 1992, GameDay 1992
Acquired: 2020, Paid Signing

A big back clocking in at 6″0′, 220, Ronnie Harmon played 12 seasons in the NFL where he acquired a reputation as a solid pass catching threat out of the backfield, and a bruising back to take down.

He began his NFL career as a 1st round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1986. Harmon played there through 1989 catching 144 passes for 1452 yards and 10 TDs, while rushing 244 times for 968 yards and 3 TDs. By this point Ronnie had fit snugly into the 3rd down back role for the Bills, but with Thurman Thomas coming on strong in his second season as the bell cow back, the Bills felt they could let Ronnie go.

Ronnie took a big change of scenery when he signed with the San Diego Chargers in 1990, where he’d continue to be one of the most outstanding 3rd down backs in the NFL. A pass catching machine- Ronnie garnered 378 catches for 3939 yards, and 12 TDs over the next 6 seasons. In 1992 he caught a career high 79 passes and earned his only Pro Bowl honor, leading all runningbacks. He also never missed a game while playing for the Chargers.

In 1996, Ronnie entered the twilight of his career, playing for the Houston Oilers during their final year in Houston, and joining the franchise during their transition to Memphis the following year. During that 1997 season he’d be cut and sign with the Bears, before retiring, but not before tacking on another 60 receptions.

Ronnie holds the interesting record as the only player in NFL history to averaged 4.5 yards per carry on a minimum of 600 rushing attempts, while also averaging 10 yards per catch on at least 550 receptions.

Ronnie Harmon has a proven track record of not signing through the mail, and with a long and extensive NFL history, that criss-crossed the league, he has always been a player that I wanted to get the autograph of.

2020 was not a great year primarily because of COVID, but because of it, there were a lot more random private signings that popped up. Luckily I spotted a Bills signing with Ronnie and Lee Evans for a very affordable price, so I dropped these two cards in the mail.

I was more of a fan of Ronnie’s exploits playing for the San Diego Chargers than the Buffalo Bills, so I reached into the box and pulled out these two set needs. I really loved his Skybox card. It’s a great shot of him dashing for daylight and frames his size dynamically on the canvas.

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