I had thoroughly given up on getting Curtis back on the cards I sent and the photo I included- so much so that I had went ahead and done a private signing with him included back in 2024. At that time I had gotten nearly everything I wanted signed by him and since then its become more of a what-photo-looks-best kind of thing.
Lo and behold I got a manila envelope with no return address a few days ago at an old address and inside were 4 autographed cards from Curtis, my original letter, the signed dual photo of him and Haywood, and my original SASE. There wasn’t an explanation provided, though I sorta figured he was digging to the bottom of his mailbag from COVID and clearing things out.
Since I had gotten nearly everything else already signed, the Score 1993, (which I derogatorily call ‘The Domino’s Pizza set’ due to its design,) was a great photo card to add to the collection.
This return- clocking in at a little over 5 years vaults this return into the top 10 longest waits.
Nick Goings played college ball at both Ohio State (1996-’97) and Pitt (1999-’00).
A seldom used RB for the Buckeyes, Goings saw his best season as a Junior at Pitt, rushing for 469 yards and catching 14 passes.
He’d sign with the Carolina Panthers after the 2001 NFL Draft.
As the only UDFA to make the squad, he bode his time initially as a special teams player and occasional 3rd down back.
The Panthers OL at this time were a bunch of road maulers, and with injuries plaguing the RB corps in 2004- Nick stepped up.
Starting the last 7 contests of the year, he pounded out 821 yards on 217 carries, scoring 6 TDs, and catching 45 passes.
Although oft-seldom used the remainder of his career, Nick suffered a series of at least 4 concussions.
He’d retire after the 2008 campaign.
NOTES:
Nick Goings is partially responsible for one of the most improbable fantasy football championship runs I ever had.
The 2004 season, I was invited by my workplace mates to play fantasy football. I was having a rough season, but I scoured the waiver wire early and signed Nick to replace Chris Brown. He paid off and the rest was history.
At the end of the season I gutted my poor performing roster, after I backed into the playoffs. My league had their playoffs unusually late- so I gambled the best team in the league would have a bunch of stars who’d be sat, and I could gun for the players who’d be playing for next season’s pole positioning. It worked out insanely well for me. I upset the #1 seed and then dethroned the second seed in the championship to secure the win- thanks hugely in part to the contributions of Nick Goings.
I had been interested in writing him for sometime- since there was a duo card of him and Brad Hoover. Nobody had any luck with Nick in the last few years so I threw this up there and hoped for the best. I was not disappointed. He wrote me a very nice note and congratulated me on my victory.
Brandon Stokley played for ULM Ragin’ Cajuns from 1995-’98.
He finished as the all-time leader in receptions (241), reception yardage (3,702), and touchdown receptions (25).
4th Round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in the 1999 NFL Draft.
He’d start 11 of 39 contests for the Ravens over the next 4 seasons catching 73 passes for 1028 yards and 7 TDs.
In Super Bowl XXXV, he caught 3 passes for 52 yards and a TD.
Signed with the Colts in 2003.
Had his best season as a pro catching passes from Peyton Manning in 2004.
On the season Stokley caught 68 passes for 1077 yards and 10 TDs.
More impressive was the fact that he became part of the first trio of 1,000 yard receivers in a season (alongside Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison).
Injuries really sapped his next two seasons to the bone as he caught just 49 passes.
Brandon signed with the Broncos in 2007, where he played the next 3 seasons.
Again Stokley’s numbers spiked with 40 receptions for 635 yards and 5 TDs that season.
Released by the Broncos in 2010, he spent the season with the Seattle Seahawks adding another 31 receptions to his career total.
Injuries plagued Brandon again in 2011, and after a disappointing two games with the Giants- he’d be cut.
2012, was a reunion of sorts for Brandon, paired back up in Denver with his former Colts QB Peyton Manning.
Stokely posted 45 catches for 544 yards and 5 TDs for the Broncos as they won the Super Bowl.
He’d resign with the Ravens in 2013, seeing action in 6 contests- but having his season and career ended by a concussion.
Since he retired, Brandon has done sports radio in the Denver area.
ACCOLADES:
(ULM) Louisiana Athletics Hall of Fame 2008
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame 2018
NOTES:
I always seemed to get Brandon confused with other receivers who played in Indianapolis around this period of time. (Anthony Gonzalez and Austin Collie.) The Score 2009 set is a need, so I shot this one out to him along with the really nice Adrenalyn card.
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
397
5339
13.4
39
87t
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
