Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Shepard, Derrick (1964-1999)

Cards: Fleer 1990
Acquired: In person, Dallas Cowboys training camp 1990.

I got Derrick on day two or three at my first Cowboys training camp. He was more than happy to stop and sign any cards that fans had and was genuinely a nice guy even though the players were engaged in blisteringly hot two a days.

Derrick was basically trying to live the dream and find a home in the NFL after not being drafted into the league. He was signed as a free agent by the Redskins, and made an impression as a backup kick returner/ punt returner winning a Superbowl in 1987. A speedster, Shepard was signed via free agency by the Saints in 1989 and played 4 games before hitting waivers again, where the Cowboys signed him immediately to fill a utility role. Derrick got valuable playing experience at WR  and in special teams, starting 8 games, making 18 catches, and scoring the only receiving touchdown of his career.  In both 1989 and 1990 he’d lead the team in punt returns, but his role would be shifted to back up in 1991.

Transitioning out of his life as a player, Shepard began a coaching career at the high school level and then later returned to the University of Oklahoma, (his alma mater) before becoming the wide receivers coach at Wyoming in early in 1999. A few weeks later while playing racquetball Derrick suffered a fatal heart attack and died. He was only 35. Derrick Shepard is survived by his wife and three children.

G 36   Rec  20   Yds  304    Avg  15.2    TD 1   Lg 37
KR 51  Yds  1007   Avg 19.7    TD 0     LG 44
PR  75    Yds 679     Avg  9.1     TD 1      Lg  73

NFL

Townsend, Greg

Card: Action Packed 1990
Acquired: In person 1992, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp
See also: Greg Townsend (2)

Drafted in the 4th round of the 1983 draft from TCU by the Los Angeles Raiders, Townsend was a shrewd pick by Al Davis.  Greg would go on to play for the team for 11 seasons (and an additional season for the Eagles in 1994) grabbing All Pro honors from 1988-1991. A dominating force from the defensive end position Townsend retired in 1997 with the Raiders as the team’s all time sack leader and is ranked 16th on the NFL sack list (as of 2010). He also is a member of the Superbowl champion XVIII Raiders team from1984 where they beat the Redskins 38-9.

During practice I enjoyed harassing players from the practice field fence. Greg came over to use the porta potty, where I asked him to give me his autograph. He sarcastically responded, “Hey kid! You want that in white or yellow?” We had a good laugh and he told me that he had to get back to practice but to hit him up afterwards as he’d have no problem with that. Good times. Townsend currently works for the silver and black.

G/GS   190/102    TAC n/a        SAC 109.5          FUM 8
INT 3     YDS 117     AVG   39.0     TD 1        LG  86t

NFL

Givins, Ernest


Cards: SkyBox 1992, Action Packed 1991, Score 1990, ProSet 1990, Action Packed 1992, GameDay 1992.
Acquired: In Person, 1991, 1994, Houston Oiler Training Camp. TTM 2010, c/o Home.
Sent: 3/26   Received:  4/29   (33 days)
See Also: Ernest Givins (2), Ernest Givins(3)

Ernest Givins was a second round choice of the Houston Oilers in 1986. At 5-9 178, Ernest was considered undersized for his position when he came out of Louisville, but was an amazing route runner and ideal for the slot position. He was also difficult to tackle and had incredible acrobatic balance accounting for shelves of highlight film including a hit where he was flipped over the back of the defender and made the catch, landing on his feet in the endzone. Ernest would play for the Oilers for the next ten seasons, (and one for Jacksonville,) notching two ProBowl nominations in 1992 and 1990- where in the latter he was also named All-Pro. He went over 900 yards 5 times in his career. Ernest was also well known for his after touchdown celebration dance entitled ‘The Electric Slide’ (shown partially in action in the Action Packed 1991 card,) which quickly endeared him to Oiler fans and became recognizable around the league.

In 1995 he was cut by the Oilers and signed with the expansion Jaguars where he played for one season. He finished first on the Houston Oilers all-time list for receptions and yards and tied for third in touchdowns. As of 2010, Givins lives in St. Petersburg, and is active in the community as a semi-pro football coach for the Bay Area Gamblers and offensive coordinator for Boca Ciega High School.

I met Ernest Givins and got his autograph at training camp on two different occasions. The first time went by with little fanfare. He signed my card and I thanked him. So by the time I got back to him in 1994, I was a bit more mouthy by then so I asked him to do his trademark touchdown dance ‘The Electric Slide’. His response coyly was, “I wouldn’t want to break tradition.” It was a good laugh. I later tracked him down through the internet, partially thanks to Wikipedia and got his autograph on a few extra cards.

Games  147      Rec 571        Yds 8215         Avg 14.4          Td 49           Lg 83T