Tag Archives: Houston Oilers

Meads, Johnny ‘Sandman’ (2)

Fleer 1990, #132

CARDS: Score 1990, Topps Stadium Club 1992, Upper Deck 1991, Fleer 1990, Topps 1989
ACQUIRED: TTM 2019, C/o Home. 2012, Canton Acquisition
SENT: 12/16/19 RECEIVED: 1/4/20 (19 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

After picking up a few cards of Johnny via the Canton Acquisition way back in 2012, I went ahead and decided to close him out on pretty much the rest of the cards I had of him. Upper Deck for once, though came through with a nice shot of Johnny splashing through a wet field. The color is also outstanding on this shot. -A true winner.

Both his Score and Fleer cards are also outstanding shots of a predator linebacker in motion. The Fleer however sorta cheated, using an older shot of Johnny (also seen in his Panini Stickers entry from 1989). Johnny has a really nice stylized autograph. I love how he loops the ‘M’ of his last name under the ‘eads’. Solid.

Davis, Willie (WR) ‘Country’

Wild Card World League, #59

CARD: Wild Card World League 1992
ACQUIRED: EBay, 2023
FAILURE: TTM 2010, 2011, 2020, C/o The Chiefs

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Willie Davis caught 63 passes for 1292 yards over his college career for Central Arkansas.
  • He holds the school all-time record for longest reception with a 99 yard TD.
  • He’d go undrafted in 1990, but be signed to the Chiefs practice squad.
  • Willie was allocated to the Orlando Thunder of the World League in 1992 by the team to give the young receiver more seasoning.
  • With future NFL veteran Scott Mitchell at QB, Davis caught 20 passes and a 51 yard TD in his first professional action.
  • The Chiefs, impressed by what they saw opted to give Willie some playtime in their offense.
  • Willie became one of the World League’s success stories, catching 36 passes for 756 yards later that year.
  • His best season perhaps came the following year when he caught 52 passes for 909 yards and 7 TDs.
  • He played for the Chiefs through 1995.
  • With Houston Oilers WR Haywood Jeffires demanding more money to stay with the team, the franchise opted to go in another direction and signed Willie Davis to essentially replace him.
  • Willie played with the Oilers from 1996-98, transitioning with the franchise to Tennessee in 1997.
  • Willie returned to the Chiefs after a few years away from the sport and joined the team’s front office, where he serves as the team’s front office scout of the southwest.

ACCOLADES:

  • Central Arkansas Hall of Fame (2001)

NOTES:

I finally gave up on trying to get Willie through the mail after 3 attempts through the Chiefs over the last 12 years. He signed sporadically for others and just didn’t respond to me. Whether or not it was an intentional snub or not or just the fact he may not want to sign his true rookie card, I am not sure. -So I just decided to haggle with an EBay seller who had some World League autographs that looked legitimate enough to me to close the deal.

WL

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NFL

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Runyan, Jon

Press Pass 1996, #19

CARDS: Press Pass 1996
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
SENT: 8/15 RECEIVED: 10/26 (72 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Homegrown Jon Runyan played right OT and G for the Michigan Wolverines starting a total of 34 contests.
  • He capped his career for the Wolverines in ’95 earning All-Big 10 honors and a variety of other accolades.
  • The Houston Oilers selected Jon with in the 4th round of the 1996 NFL Draft.
  • Jon made the roster and with the team made the transition to Tennessee.
  • Started first 16 game slate in 1997 at Tackle.
  • Signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, playing with the franchise through 2008.
  • Played one final season in San Diego in 2009.
  • Spent some time dabbling in politics, even serving in Congress.
  • Can be found sometimes putting around Philadelphia as an Uber driver.

ACCOLADES:

  • Philadelphia Eagles HoF
  • Pro Bowl 2002
  • Second Team All-Pro 1998
  • Eagles 75th Anniversary Team

NOTES:

Fearsome, nasty, fast, and large, Jon was a true road grading offensive lineman who struck fear into opposing defenders. Considered one of the dirtiest players of his era- he fit right in with the Philadelphia Eagles. Jon was also remarkably durable, despite his 6’8″, 299 frame, he started 190 straight contests. His son followed in his footsteps and was drafted by the Packers in 2020.

At the time of his retirement in 2009, Jon was the last remaining player who had played for the HOUSTON Oilers franchise.