Category Archives: NFL

NFL

McMurtry, Greg

Card: Action Packed Rookies 1990, Score 1990
Acquired: TTM 1992, 1993, Patriots Blitz

2 sport start Greg McMurtry was taken in the baseball amateur draft in 1986 by the Boston Red Sox, but decided to remain in school, attending Michigan at Ann Arbor. It was a huge coup for Michigan because McMurtry was offered a huge signing bonus to join the Red Sox. He’d go on to be an excellent player at wide receiver for the Wolverines, playing in the Rose Bowl and snagging All-American Honors. McMurtry would even be allowed to wear the hallowed #1 jersey for the team. He was selected in the 3rd round of the 1990 draft by the woeful New England Patriots, who were desperate to find a compliment to Irving Fryar.

In 1991 the Houston Oilers visited the New England Patriots and I had given a friend an immense spread to take the Patriots. The Patriots ended up winning the game with McMurtry catching the game winning toss from Hugh Millen 24-20. It was one of those really humbling moments being an Oiler fan. Greg’s 1991 season would be his best, with 614 yards and a 15 yard average. He’d play through 1993 for the Patriots, and then finish out his career with the Bears in 1994.

G/Gs  67/44   Rec 128   Yds  1631   Avg   12.7   Lg  65T   Td 5

NFL, NFLE

Barnett, Tim

Card: Action Packed Rookies 1991
Acquired: TTM 1992, C/o The Kansas City Chiefs

Tim Barnett is a cousin of Philadelphia Eagles receiver Fred Barnett, who went to Jackson State. The Chiefs would take him in the third round of the 1991 draft hoping to improve their wide receiver corps which already had the superior rushing game in Christian Okoye and Barry Word. In his rookie season Tim started 8 games, making an impressive 41 catches for 564 yards and 5 touchdowns. He’d start to really come about in 1992, starting only 3 games but establishing himself as a long range threat (18.4 yard average on 24 catches) with a long 77 yard touchdown reception. Tim helped the Chiefs advance in the playoffs that year- catching a critical touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs from Joe Montana. 1993  saw another decrease in playing time once again, with Tim starting no games, however he quietly accumulated 17 receptions and a touchdown.

Unfortunately the young Barnett had been building up a rap sheet in his spare time as well for domestic assault and was on two year’s probation for misdemeanor assault and battery, -once even for pistol whipping his wife. On June 14th, 1994 Tim Barnett exposed himself and grabbed a 14 year old girl at a motel in Milwaukee. Kansas City considered Barnett toxic and immediately granted him his release. Later it was revealed that the victim had made the story up in hopes of getting a settlement out of Barnett, but the damage had already been done.

Barnett later played in the NFLE for the Scotland Claymores in 1995. He’d have a steady season with 21 receptions for 298 yards and 3 touchdowns, while the team slumped to a 2-8 record under 3 head coaches.

G/Gs 44/11   Rec 82   Yds 1188  Avg 14.5  Td 10  Lg 77T

College Football HoF, NFL

McCallum, Napoleon

Card: ProSet 1993
Acquired: In person 1993, Dallas Cowboys training camp

Napoleon McCallum was an amazing talent coming out of high school where he decided to sign and go to college at Navy. He’d redshirt after injury at first and then later go on to be a two time All-American as Navy’s star tailback and special teams returner, setting a then record with 7,172 yards from scrimmage and become the school’s all-time leading rusher.

Drafted in the 4th round of the 1986 draft, McCallum would play one season with the Los Angeles Raiders rushing for 536 yards and catching 13 balls, before having to fulfill his 5 year military commitment.

McCallum rejoined the team to a much different backfield in 1990, and was confined primarily to special teams. He also saw some goalline duty as a fullback with the team in 1993, rushing for 3 touchdowns. Napoleon in the postseason that year added 2 more TDs and appeared poised for a breakout season. Unfortunately before Napoleon could continue his career he was critically injured in perhaps one of the grizzliest plays in football history on Opening Day of Monday Night Football in 1994.

Planting his foot and getting it stuck, he’d was tackled by Ken Norton Jr. As Napoleon went to the ground his leg literally came apart. The injury was so catastrophic that doctors almost had to amputate Napoleon’s leg. Needless to say- he would never play a down a football again.

Since football, McCallum in total has had 6 surgeries to repair the damage to his leg but remains upbeat, plays a lot of golf and stays active. Napoleon was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003.

G/Gs 74/6   Rush 223     Yds  790      Avg  3.5       Td 6      lg  18    |
Rec 17    Yds 121   Avg 7.1     Td 0     lg 22