Category Archives: NFL

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Humphery, Bobby


Cards: ProSet 1989, ProSet 1990, Score 1990, Score Supplemental 1990, Fleer 1990
Acquired: In Person, San Antonio Riders v. Birmingham Fire 1992
See Also: Bobby Humphery (2)

Bobby Humphery, drafted in 1984 out of the 9th round, was a speedy athlete from New Mexico State. Initially he played wide receiver for the team, and starred on special teams as the Jets primary kick returner. In 1986 he was converted to a cornerback, where he played the rest of his career. In 1990 he was signed by the Rams for one season, and in 1992 signed on with the San Antonio Riders where he played defensive back for the team. Humphery’s statistics are misleading as he had not only played in a utility status for the teams he was on, he also defensed a lot of passes (which are not tracked), and his statistics only cover his seasons with the Jets and Rams. Bobby is one of a select few of players in the NFL that has scored a TD on offense, defense, and special teams. He made one Pro Bowl appearance over his career which would span 10 seasons with the Jets, Rams, Riders, Gold Miners, and San Antonio Texans.

Of small note, Bobby Humphery should not be confused with Bobby Humphrey who played runningback for the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins. (Humphery’s 1990 Fleer card is an error card with Humphrey’s picture on the back.)

After a humid night game against the Birmingham Fire, I saw Bobby in front of the locker room exhausted from the game. I frequently would pack more than one card of a player, in the hopes that they don’t mind signing multiples for my collection. Bobby would sign all five for me.

NFL
games  49      tac   N/a       sac  6        fum  10          int    5         yds  52     td 1
KR    130               yds  2974              avg   22.9                  td   2               lg  97T

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