Category Archives: CFL

Arena, CFL, NFL, University of Texas

Babers, Rod “Black Caesar” (3)

Card: Whataburger AM1300 The Zone, Memorabilia
Acquired: Whataburger Signing 3/12, Texans Draft Party 2012
See Also: Rod Babers, Rod Babers (2)

So I ambushed Rod at a local Whataburger restaurant- that was literally a few miles from me. Being that it was in the boondocks and they just weren’t expecting anybody to show up, having me walk through the door must have humored him and his sound guy greatly as I they are beginning to recognize me when I show up for their events. I printed out a photo I found online of Rod for him to sign. Whataburger also provided him with a card as well (which was nothing compared to my Upper Deck UT doppelganger). I sat around and ate dinner while I talked to Rod and Chuck about sports. It was nice to see the inner workings of how radio works. Rod again was quite flattered by the memorabilia, and also told people on the radio that I was a true fan because I had a James Brown jersey on from not UT- but the Texas Terminators indoor football team.  I am honesty running out of photos of Rod and am hoping to get my paws on one of him in his Tiger-Cats uniform.

Later I got this photo of Rod making the play against Raushaun Woods keeping him from scoring the 2 point conversion and allowing the Longhorns to win the game when he was at the Texans Draft Party that had Danieal Manning and James Casey at it.

Rod’s a very personable fan of fans. I think that’s great, and exactly what 1300 the Zone’s lineup needs. Guys who’ve played who like talking about football, while educating and embracing fans. I’m not so sure of some of the latest additions to the station’s lineup, as I think Rod pushes the boundaries of taste sometimes as it is. Rod is also known by a few names to fans: Kool Aid, and Stonehands, are two of my favorites, but on the radio he frequently is known as Black Caesar. He’s said some things on the radio that have surprised me, from convincing me that as Longhorn fans we should wish anybody- even A&M the best in the SEC, to the idea that Longhorn fans should not be happy with ‘just playing well in a loss’. Currently he’s the host of UT’s Afternoon Buffet on 1300 the Zone.  He also spends his time giving back to the community working with the Neighborhood Longhorn Foundation.

CFL, NFL

Walker, Kenny

pset91 walker sco91 walker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cards: ProSet 1991, Action Packed Rookies 1991, Score 1991
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Work
Sent: 5/25     Received: 9/6  (104 days)

aprks91 walkerKenny Walker hails from the tiny town of Crane, Texas and went to college at Nebraska.  At 6’2″, 246- Kenny was considered a bit undersized but made up for it with his quickness and agility. After being a situational starter throughout most of his career he really came on as a senior posting 73 tackles, 21 for losses, 11 sacks and a forced fumble culminating with him earning 1st team honors from the AP, and Big 8 defensive player of the year in 1990.  He parlayed his performance and accolades into an 8th round pick of the Denver Broncos in 1991.

The Broncos were restocking on defense following a 5-11 season, and added Mike Croel and Keith Traylor in the earlier rounds. Walker would be a surprising find for the Broncos and start all 16 games that season recording 3 sacks, and follow up the next season with 1.5 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries. The most amazing part about all this is that Walker did this all with a hearing impediment. In essence, he has been deaf since the age of 2 when he suffered a bout of Meningitis. Kenny then played in the CFL for the Calgary Stampeders from 1994 to 1995, and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 1995-1996. He’d be the first deaf person to play in the CFL.  Kenny then hung up his cleats went into teaching and coaching deaf children at both the High School and College level. Currently in 2013 Kenny is coaching in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. He’s written an autobiographical book entitled “The Roar of Silence”, and at this time remains a role model and upstanding member of the deaf community.

G/Gs 31/16   Tac  N/a    Sac 4.5     Fum 2     Int 0   Yds 0   Avg -.-   Td 0   Lg -.-

AAFL, CFL, NFL, NFLE

Crouch, Eric

UFLTNT10 CrouchCards: TNT UFL 2011, Upper Deck MVP 2002
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent: 5/22     Received: 5/31    (9 days)*
*Failure: RTS 2013, C/o Home

Eric Crouch is a hometown football hero, playing for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and winning the 2002 Heisman Trophy. There he became as well known for his passing, as he was for his rushing, out of the wishbone offense. He set numerous records there including the career touchdown leader with 88, most TDs rushing by a QB with 59 (NCAA record), and the school’s career total offensive yardage leader with 7915 yards. He also became one of 3 quarterbacks to rush for over 3000 yards and pass for over 4000.

Draft pundits were unsure of the final position he should play, but overall he was generally regarded as a well rounded athlete.  The Rams drafted Eric in the 3rd round of the 2002 draft to play receiver, but with his heart not in the position change, Eric packed his bags. Later he’d resurface on the roster of the Packers from UDMVP02 Crouch2003-2004, and the Chiefs in 2005. Eric then took a stint to play in the NFLE with the Hamburg SeaDevils in 2005.  There he played free safety notching 25 tackles and 2 passes defensed.

Returning across the pond, Crouch went to play for the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL in 2006. There he’d finally be taken seriously as a quarterback, where he could hone his skills. He completed 6 of 13 passes, for 127 yards, and a pick.  The next season, Crouch was expected to compete for the second string job, but injuries derailed his CFL career, and he’d be released midway through the 2007 season.

A new league, the AAFL (All American Football League) appeared in 2008 with teams scheduled to play in 6 markets. The league hastily put a draft together, and Eric Crouch was the 3rd overall pick by Team Texas, coached by former UH coach John Jenkins. Unfortunately the AAFL never took to the field due to ‘softening financial markets’.

With Eric’s rights released, he decided to give an open tryout a shot with the UFL’s Omaha Nighthawks. He signed with the team in June of 2010, and played during the regular season, but in a September contest suffered a torn miniscus, ending his career.

He’s currently retired and lives in Nebraska with his wife and 2 children.