Category Archives: NFL

NFL

Childress, Ray

Cards:  Action Packed 1991, Fleer 1995, Pro Set 1989, Pro Set 1990, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: In Person, Houston Oilers Training Camp, 1992, 1995. TTM 2010, C/o Home
Sent:   3/26    Received:     4/3           (8 days)

Ray Childress is one of the most multidimensional and consistent defensive linemen who came out during the mid 80s. He played from 1985 to 1996. He received All America honors twice while in college at Texas A&M and still is ranked on the school’s leaders in both sacks and tackles 25 years after he graduated. Drafted in the first round by the Houston Oilers as a DE, Ray would play all positions along the line at some point during his career with the majority of that being at DT notching 4 Pro Bowl appearances at this position and 1 at DE playing in 154 games.  He was a 3 time first team All-Pro, and 3 time second team All- Pro. Childress holds the NFL record for most fumble recoveries in a season with 7 and most recovered in a game with 3.  He retired from injuries after a shoulder separation in 1996. Childress since football has become in a variety of ventures including his ongoing commitment to the Childress Foundation, and at one point owned a line of car dealerships. Childress was inducted into the College Football HOF in 2010.

My brother and I went to training camp in 1992. It was really funny to get Ray’s autograph, especially since he dwarfed my brother who was 6″3′. Ray then asked my brother if he was on the team which we both got some laughs out of. In 1995 Childress also signed my Fleer 1995 for me when I was at camp as he was walking on to the field. He was the first one of the day and that certainly put me in a good mood. In 2010 I started sending cards out in the mail again, and specifically targeted former Houston Oilers. I sent 4 cards out to Ray and he signed 3 and returned the 4th, which didn’t bother me at all as he was doing it as a courtesy for me anyway. Ray has been caught in the backlog of great players retiring during the mid 90s, and has not been inducted into the HOF, although I believe he should. With Elvin Bethea being inducted recently, it certainly does give hope that at some point he will sneak onto the ballot.

Games 163         Tac   861              Sac 76.5               Fum 19

NFL, Pro Football HoF, Super Bowl MVP

Smith, Emmitt

Card: Action Packed Rookies 1990
Acquired: In Person, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp 1991

Emmitt Smith was not my favorite Cowboy, based primarily on his elusiveness on and off the field in attaining his autograph. Going to training camp for 3 to 4 seasons, I only was able to attain his signature one time. He rarely stopped to sign and signed just a few at a time and left. In my particular case, I learned a good lesson: Never use a black sharpie on a hot day. Smith autographed my friend Josh’s card, then began to sign mine. The marker dried out mid stroke, so he said, “Sorry, your pen ran out of ink. I gotta go,” and handed my card back to me and drove off in his golf cart. I was mad. Josh jeered me. I told him, “Give me your damn marker,” and ran off to acquire the autograph. I hid in a pack of bikini clad women down near the end, where he stopped to sign all 12 of their cards and finally I got his autograph with Josh’s blue sharpie.

The NFL’s leading rusher by default with 18355 yards, (because Barry Sanders quit in his prime) Emmitt Smith was a durable slasher back that could absorb hits.  He won three Super Bowls, was MVP of Super Bowl XXVIII, set numerous NFL rushing records, was an 8 time Pro Bowler and 4 time All Pro. He played 13 seasons for the Cowboys and two for the Cardinals. Post NFL life has found Smith winning TV’s “Dancing With the Stars”, dabbling around in real estate, and in 2010 he was elected to the Pro Football HOF on his first ballot. It is also rumored that he continues to be a difficult autograph to attain…

Games  226      Att   4,409     Yds   18,355           Avg    4.2        TD 162

NFL, Pro Football HoF, University of Texas, WLAF

Landry, Tom (1924-2000)

pset90 landryCard: Pro Set 1990 HOF
Acquired: In Person, San Antonio Riders Game 1992

Tom Landry was a part owner of the San Antonio Riders back in 1992, and Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos did not have box seats, rather Landry and Larry Benson (the primary owner and brother of Tom Benson, Saints) had seats underneath the top deck in the shade at the back of the bottom row. I snuck in behind them during halftime and Landry had no problem giving me an autograph.  He and I concurred that the team was much better in 1992 and was in store for much better things ‘in the years to come’.

Tom Landry was a Texan through and through, born in Mission,Tx, going to college at Houston and Texas, and then being coach of the Cowboys for 29 years and his stoic presence on the sidelines and signature hat were a hallmark of the team. Landry after fighting in World War II, was drafted by the old New York Yankees of the AAFC in 1949, and then played for the New York Giants from 1950-1955, marking All Pro honors in 1954 as a CB, P/ KR. Amazingly he would also be defensive coordinator of the team in 1954 and 1955 before moving on permanently to coaching thereafter. Landry was considered an amazing innovator, creating both the 4-3 defense and the ‘flex’ alignment and then reintroduced the man in motion and shotgun formations among others. Tom Landry has a particularly large tree of apostles including  Mackovic, Stallings, Ditka, Reeves,and Berry who all spent time learning under his instruction. Landry would guide the Cowboys to 20 winning seasons, 2 SuperBowl victories,  5 NFC Championships and win NFL coach of the year twice. After football Landry enjoyed a private life for the next 11 years before he passed away in 2000 (age 75) after being elected into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1990.

Sea 29   W 250   L 162   Ties 6
G 70    Tac N/a   Sacks N/a   Fum 10
Int  31         Yds  360       TD 3