Category Archives: CFL

CFL, NFL

Johnson, Billy “White Shoes”

 

udlg97 ws johnson udlg97 ws johnson BCard: Upper Deck Legends 1997
Acquired: 11/23/2012, Fiterman Autograph Event
Failure: 2010, C/o Home

Billy Johnson, played for tiny Widener college in Pennsylvania. Going unnoticed- despite his white shoes and penchant for big plays, numbers, and great speed, the Oilers said, “Why not?”, and drafted White Shoes in the 15th round of the 1974 draft. There the fan favorite Johnson lit the NFL on fire with his breathtaking speed at returner and his entertaining end zone celebration called ‘The Funky Chicken’. (Johnson’s dance, is still celebrated today as one of the first, and was the Granddaddy to such dances as: Ernest Givins‘ “Electric Slide”, Ickey Woods‘ “Ickey Shuffle”, and Jamaal Anderson’s “Dirty Bird”.)  White Shoes played during the heyday of the Luv’ Ya Blu era in Houston, alongside Dan Pastorini, Ken Burrough, and Earl Campbell. He set an NFL record in 1975 by returning 3 punts for touchdowns in a single season. Not to be outdone that year, he also had a kick return as well, earning him AP honors and the Pro Bowl MVP after the season. White Shoes continued to set the standard for electrifying play throughout the 70s and the crowd always held their breath with excitement when he took the field. He again won AP honors topping his 15.3 YPR average from ’75 with a 15.4 YPR average in 77, with 539 yards and 2 touchdowns. As a kick returner he was also equally amazing, scoring another touchdown there as well.  A catastrophic knee injury wrecked his 1978 and 79 seasons. After a final season in Houston in 1980, White Shoes travelled north to the CFL for a year doing everything for the Montreal Alouettes.

The Falcons gave him a shot in 1983, and Johnson not only made the roster of the team, he had also matured as a receiver. Although he only started one game that season, Billy had 709 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns, (both career highs,) and was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year. In ’83 he scored another touchdown on a punt return, and was named AP and back to the Pro Bowl again for a 3rd time. He posted career highs again in 1984 in receiving with 830 yards and 5 touchdowns. Playing one final season in Atlanta, White Shoes went on to Washington and retired after the 1987 season. He’s been named to the NFL 75th Anniversary team and also the All-Decade Team of the 1980s.

It took me some time to get my autographs back from the Fiterman event but I finally did get my cards back some 3 weeks after the event. The company did apologize and adjusted their time-frame for delivery expectations for TTM on their website. I like to have my cards autographed on the front, but based on the report from Fiterman, White Shoes apparently refused to do so because he was not wearing white shoes on the front of this card. Still I am happy to knock out an elusive signer, after a previous attempt and failure.

G  143       PR 282         Yds 3317            Avg  11.8           Td 6         Lg 87t
Kr 123       Yds 2941          Avg 23.9         Td 2          Lg 81t
Rec  337       Yds 4211     Avg 12.5          Td 25       Lg  71t
Rush 56        Yds 316       Avg 5.6             Td 2         Lg 61

Highlight reel of Johnson and.. the Funky Chicken:

CFL, NFL

Armstrong, Derick

Card: Playoff Contenders 2004
Acquired: 2012, Target Authentic Memorabilia Autograph Edition

After graduating from Arkansas-Monticelo, Derick Armstrong wanted to continue his football career, so he packed his bags and went to play in the CFL for the Edmonton Eskimos in 2001. After a solid 2002, when he put up 1104 yards in 18 games, the Houston Texans would sign him in 2003 to a free agent contract. He’d have his best season in 2005 connecting with David Carr for 29 receptions, 415 yards, and a TD. After a disastrous 2005 for the Texans, Armstrong decided to return to the CFL. Playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Armstrong played 4 seasons for them, recording back to back 1,000+ yard seasons in 2007 and 2008. Designated the team’s franchise ‘Import Player’ Armstrong refused to play. Winnipeg benched Derick and then cut him in 2010. Derick played one final season splitting time between the Lions with the Eskimos in 2010. Armstrong is a two time CFL All Star, earning honors in 2002 and 2007.

 

CFL, College Football HoF, University of Texas

Royal, Darrell (1924-2012)

Cards: UT Upper Deck 2011 Coach, UT Upper Deck 2011 Stadium
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o The University of Texas Athletic Department
Sent: 7/9     Received: 8/7   (29 days)

Darrell Royal is considered a coaching legend and figurehead at the University of Texas, where he helped shape the program into a national power.  While serving in the Air Force during WWII, Royal was discovered by recruits from the University of Oklahoma. He’d attend college there and play both defensive back and quarterback for the Sooners from 1946-1949. Mentored by Bud Wilkinson, Royal posted a 16-1 mark as a part-time starter at quarterback, while recording 18 interceptions as a defensive back in his time there at the school. With professional football not a firm career option at the time, Royal opted to jump into coaching at the college level serving as an assistant in 1950 at NC State, Tulsa in 1951, and Mississippi State in 1952. After a brief stop as head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL in 1953 (where he posted a record of 12-4), Royal returned to Mississippi State in 1954 to be head coach for two seasons posting identical back to back 6-4 records.  Continuing to puddle jump, Darrell spent a year as head coach of the Washington Huskies in 1956 and recorded a pedestrian 5-5 record.

A hungry Texas Longhorn program liked what they saw in Royal and hired him in 1957. He’d immediately turn around the program and coach them to the Sugar Bowl. Over his time at the University of Texas Royal brought the school 11 Southwestern Conference championships (’59,’61-’63,’68-’73, & ’75), 3 National Titles (’63, ’69-’70), and numerous coaching awards. He’d post a record of 167-47-5 at UT, and a mark of 109-27-2 in the SWC.  Also of note is that Darrell was considered an offensive mastermind, and is credited with two offensive formations: the ‘Flip-Flop’ Winged-T and the Wishbone offense. He’d retire in 1976 as the winningest coach in UT history, but remained a constant figure on campus at the institution through 2012, as a watchful during the current highly successful Mack Brown era. The school renamed the stadium in 1996 from Memorial Stadium to Darrell K Royal Memorial Stadium to honor his contributions to the institution further. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.  Coach Royal also has a huge coaching tree. While Fred Akers quickly came in and established himself as head coach after his departure, many of his other coaches had prodigies that later became NFL and successful college coaches from them. Among those distant relatives are RC Slocum, Mike Sherman, Gary Kubiak, Greg Davis, Tommy Tuberville, Spike Dykes, Dave McGinnis, Al Groh, Ray Perkins, Jackie Sherril, Jimmy Johnson, Dave Wannastedt, Dom Capers, Ron Zook, and even Jon Gruden.

royalI was really happy to get Darrell Royal. Even my parents were excited to hear I got him on two cards.  I opted to have him sign his coach card and the stadium card, over the additional cards I had and it was all done in under a month’s time. My uncle had previously gotten him for me before on a postcard back in the late 90s while they were on a flight together. Coach Royal encouraged me in the note to go back to school and finish my education.

On Wednesday, November 7th 2012, Darrell Royal passed away at the grand old age of 88. He is survived by his wife Edith and 3 kids. In his latter years, Darrell enjoyed golf and philanthropic activities immensely. On a side note, Royal’s passion for golf spilled over into the college, and while athletic director there, he helped bring the sport to the National limelight as they captured 2 titles under his encouragement with headliners Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite.