Gary had some great cards from back in the day. The Razorback stuck around just long enough to get into Pro Set, Action Packed, and Gameday sets, as well as Skybox. He had some really great action shots too. -It had been roughly 5 or 6 years since I had gotten him last so I had to come back and grab him on a few more.
3rd round pick out of Georgia Tech in 1986 joined ‘The Dome Patrol’ alongside Sam Mills, Vaughan Johnson, and Rickey Jackson at linebacker.
After quiet rookie season, became fulltime starter and put up 10.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and a pick.
In 1989, recorded 16.5 sacks and 5 forced fumbles.
In 1991, led NFL with 17 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, and an interception for a TD.
Traded to the Detroit Lions in 1993 and played the following season with the franchise before hopping over to Oakland in 1995.
Moved to right defensive end that year, and had 13 sacks and 5 forced fumbles.
Retired in 1997, but returned for the 1998 season for the Raiders before retiring again after the season.
Skybox 1992, #234
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1989-93
All-Pro 1991/92
NFL sack leader 1991
NFL Defensive Player of the Year 1991
Saints Hall of Fame 2000
College Football Hall of Fame 2009
1992 Skybox Major Impact, #19
TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
490
107.5
36
6
79
13.1
1
39T
NOTES:
While the records show I failed on Pat early on in my return to collecting in 2010, and then later in 2015, before I got him in 2021- 11 years later, in reality I had failed to get Swilling in person back in 1995 when he played for the Raiders. Oakland was visiting Dallas Cowboys training camp at St. Edwards in Austin, Texas. I had previous success with acquiring James Lofton by sticking out a sign that said “WILL WORK FOR JAMES LOFTON’S AUTOGRAPH”. Unfortunately said strategy did not work for Pat, and although the players found it very funny and chuckled, they let me know that he was skipping camp in Austin rehabbing due to an injury.
For a while there too, Pat had a ghost signer, and his autograph went from looking like what’s above… to something very pedestrian. I flushed numerous cards down the toilet with no luck, but reloading for a final shot, and seeing some successes that looked good, I went ahead and popped these out for 3rd shot.
Cards: SkyBox Impact 1993, Topps Stadium Club 1993, Skybox Premium 1993-1994 Acquired: TTM 2021, C/o Home Sent: 8/14 Received: 9/2 (19 days) Failure: TTM 2014, C/o Home
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Leonard Harris was a speed merchant out of Texas Tech (1981-83), who played WR, KR and PR.
His best season for the Red Raiders came in 1983 when he posted 506 yards on 35 catches (2 TDs), 123 yards rushing on 13 carries, 346 yards and a TD on 26 punt returns, and 356 yards on 19 kick returns.
Territorial selection of the Denver Gold during the 1984 USFL draft.
Led the Gold in receiving both years of the franchise’s existence.
Posted a career high 1432 yards on 101 receptions and 8 TD as he moved to slotback in 1985.
Joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1986, catching 3 passes for 52 yards.
Following season was a free agent signee of the Houston Oilers, where he spent the next 7 seasons.
Finally emerged from the shadow of WR Drew Hill who left for Atlanta in 1992.
Caught 35 passes for 435 yards and 2 TDs in 7 starts, before the Oilers consummated their free agent poaching of WR Webster Slaughter off of the Cleveland Browns.
Played one final year in 1994 with the Falcons, reunited with Drew Hill and head coach Jerry Glanville.
NFL
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
105
1428
13.6
8
47
KR
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
59
1240
21.0
0
63
USFL
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
136
2089
15.4
12
66
KR
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
47
1172
24.9
0
74
Skybox Impact 1993, #127 Topps Stadium Club 1993, #431
NOTES: I had been wanting to get Leonard for sometime, because I was always under the impression that he had no cards growing up. I went ahead and sent these same cards out in 2014- but got no response. It wasn’t until 2021 that I started seeing some responses from him and decided to try him again on these cards.
I always thought he got a bad rap after the departure of Drew Hill- and not enough time to become his heir apparent in Houston. I feel much more mixed now about getting his autograph now that the players from the Oilers franchise have abandoned the city of Houston in favor of their faux history from Tennessee.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
