Category Archives: Pro Football HoF

NFL, Pro Football HoF

Jones, Jerry “Jerrah”

mem jerry jonesAcquired: IP 1991, Westlake Dallas Cowboys Scrimmage

Leaving the Dallas Cowboys autograph event at Westlake way back in 1991, I caught Jerry climbing up the bleachers. He was sucking in the limelight and gleefully signing things for fans and children. He gave me his autograph on this drawing I did- which is laughable now looking back.

Jerry purchased the team back in 1989 and immediately made waves. He fired longtime coach Tom Landry and brought in his own crony- longtime friend and former teammate at Arkansas, Jimmy Johnson, to coach the team. Johnson and Jerrah worked well together and had to take their lumps after making bold predictions of the franchise’s future winnings. Still after a 1-15 season, the team was able to right the ship slowly but surely. Jerry and Jimmy did well with in the draft, and made a killing on the Herschel Walker trade. The Cowboys won their first Super Bowl at the end of the 1992 season and followed this up quickly with another title in 1993.

Jerrah made bold predictions about how he could win without Johnson, and Jimmy at that point had enough and was ‘forced out’. Jones brought in Barry Switzer to coach the team. Switzer indeed did bring the Cowboys another title after the 1995 season. Switzer himself left the team after he was busted with a gun in his bag at the airport. The team has gone through various other coaches since then: Dave Campo, Chan Gailey, Wade Philips, and Jason Garrett.

Jones has received more and more criticism as the year goes on, much of it warranted. He does have the title of General Manager, and is one of the most hands on owners in all of sports. His appearance has also changed with more and more plastic surgery, and his frequent appearances on TV and in commercials don’t help either. Many fans feel that Jerrah only cares now about making money, charging fees to take tours off of the new stadium while the team is mired in mediocrity, and liken him more and more to the late Al Davis everyday- an owner that took Jones under his wing early on.

Jerry’s strength lies in his business skills and acumen when it comes to doing what’s best for his franchise.  He’s been able to get a new, amazing stadium built in Dallas, leveraged contracts with vendors to identify with the Cowboys’ brand, and mentored a lot of players with how best to use their money after retirement.  Although I am hard on him, admittedly, I must give credit where credit is due, and it is probably on the merit of the above, that he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2017 class as an owner. Jerry is also quite good to fans and honors all TTM requests through the Cowboys organization.

NFL, Pro Football HoF

Muñoz, Anthony

Cards: ProSet 1991, ProSet 1991 Pieñsalo!
Acquired: 2017, Future Considerations

Anthony Munoz was a fixture in the Cincinnati Bengals offensive line at right tackle for 13 seasons. Drafted out of USC in 1980 with the third overall pick, Munoz helped block up front for the diverse Bengals offense, that over the years added major pieces to help them reach two Super Bowls.  Along the way he earned numerous Pro Bowl and First and Second Team All-Pro Nominations (1981-1991).  He was named the NFL Man of the Year in 1991, and was named to both the NFL All-1980s team, and the NFL’s 75th Anniversary team.

He attempted to play one final season with the Buccaneers with his former head coach Sam Wyche in 1992, but a nagging shoulder injury prevented him from playing out the preseason. Arguably however, Munoz is considered the greatest offensive lineman ever to play the game.

I never thought I’d get Anthony Munoz autograph. Thanks in part to my friend Deadhorse, I was surprised with two. Munoz is difficult to attain through the mail, partially because he makes you jump through so many hoops filling out charitable paperwork, and the other part due to the cost. He has some great cards from over the years, but these two from ProSet were very nice. While I used to heckle the Piensalo one, it really is a well executed design feat in the years prior to Photoshop dominance.  Overall however, Anthony has a very solid autograph.

Anthony has remained active in the community since retirement and has his own charitable foundation. He also does color commentary for many of the Bengals preseason games.

G/GS 185/182

 

College Football HoF, Heisman Trophy Winner, NFL, Pro Football HoF

Dorsett, Tony ‘TD’ (2)

pset89_tdorsettCard: ProSet 1989
Acquired: 2016, 34 Wine & Spirits Bottle Signing
See Also: Tony Dorsett

Tony Dorsett made an appearance in Austin at a local 34 Wine & Spirits to promote a vodka brand. Since Ricky Williams owns the 34 Wine & Spirits he was also in attendance and signing as well.  Ricky, as usual was pretty conversation, but somewhere along the way the handlers didn’t get the memo. As me and Ricky started chatting, his handler tried to shoo me off, but Ricky in his usual nonchalant manner explained to the handler, that I was cool and I was with him.

When Tony appeared it was more of the same. I bought two bottles of the vodka so I could get his autograph on 2 cards, but the handlers announced that he’d only sign the bottles. After a few minutes of negotiation, the handlers then announced that he’d sign only one outside item. Regardless, Tony was in good spirits when I saw him. He signed the bottles and a card for me which worked out okay.

There are so many players that switched teams during the twilight of their careers who look out of place in their new team uniforms, but this 89 ProSet of Tony looks solid. His autograph still holds up, and he was kind enough to put an inscription on it as well.