Category Archives: University of Texas

NFL, University of Texas

Ross, Aaron

Card: Press Pass Trophy Club 2007, Panini UT 2016
Acquired: In Person 2018, 31 Camp

I got Sam Huff and Aaron Ross confused often as both had very similar college trajectories playing for the Texas Longhorns and winning the Jim Thorpe Award in consecutive years so I never realized I didn’t have Aaron in my Longhorn collection.

Aaron Ross played for the Texas Longhorns from 2003- 2006, honing his game initially behind future NFL pro Nathan Vasher.  He’d also see extensive time on special teams. He’d really come into his own by 2005, recording 46 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 3 interceptions for 40 yards as the Longhorns won the National Championship. Ross’ displayed immense vision and speed on put returns with 34 punt returns for 500 yards and 2 TDs. 2006 was a banner year for Ross, as he earned the Jim Thorpe Award, with 57 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, a sack, and 6 interceptions for 7 yards. On punt returns again, Aaron had 23 returns for 240 yards and a TD. 

Aaron was selected by the New York Giants with the 20th overall pick of the 2007 NFL draft. He finished his rookie season with 42 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 3 interceptions for 51 yards, and a 43 yard TD against the New York Jets- culminating in a Super Bowl victory over the Patriots.  He’d have another solid season in 2008 posting 52 tackles, 3 interceptions for 58 yards and a TD.  A hamstring injury pretty much wiped out his 2009 season and when he returned in 2010, Aaron was relegated to the bench. He’d return to the stater role in 2010, earning 60 total tackles, 4 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries, punctuating the Giants Super Bowl win again over the Patriots. 

He’d sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012 and start 9 contets for the team. Ross recorded 46 total tackles, and 3 pass deflections. He’d return to the Giants for 2013, and finish eventually his career with the Ravens in 2014.

I really liked the Panini UT set that came out but I was disappointed because they lumped all the sports in there and the breadth of players didn’t seem too deep. Still the design is pretty good, even if it bears the hallmark shadow posterization that many of the cards of this era have.

G/GSTACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDLG
83/522502.531113712.5250t
PRYDSAVGTDLG
231526.6018
NFL, University of Texas

Griffin, Cedric (2) ‘Griff’

Cards: Upper Deck 2006, Score Select 2008, Adrenalyn 2009
Acquired: In Person, 2018
See Also: Cedric Griffin

Wow, so I went out to this unbearably hot event at Del Valley stadium to get Cedric Griffin and Aaron Ross in the middle of July. That’s dedication. Anyway, it was a really good and encouraging camp for the kids. There were some great speeches from the players, and they were more than happy to provide autographs to anyone and everyone.

I patiently waited until the end. A kid kept backing up nervously, so I told him to go ahead and get Cedric’s autograph before me. Cedric and the kid looked at me and laughed. It was his son.

Cedric told me that he loved every moment of the NFL experience and cheerfully penned these 3 cards for me in no time flat.

I previously had gotten Griffin on a card or two a few years ago. I gave away the Adrenalyn card -even though I really liked it, so I had always wanted to get Cedric again on a few more cards including the Upper Deck 2006 rookie debut- which I seem to have carved out a small niche in collecting. I don’t like that particular card. It appears that somebody Photoshopped the background very poorly. The Score Select 2008 is an okay card, but the chrome is a bit garish. Thankfully, Cedric’s bold silver autograph makes up for the design descrepancies on each card.

NFL, University of Texas, usfl

Millard, Bryan

Cards: ProSet 1989, Score Supplemental 1989, ProSet 1990, Topps Stadium Club 1992
Acquired: TTM 2018, C/o Work
Sent: 5/4   Received: 6/4  (30 days)
Failure: TTM 2017, C/o Home

Bryan Millard is regarded as one of the greatest Seahawks linemen ever, but it took him a while to get there, and still to this day he does not receive the respect and accolades he deserves.  He flies under the radar when it comes to great linemen, and even when retrospect sets come out, like the two University of Texas sets from both Upper Deck and Panini, Millard is conspicuously left out.

Bryan played college ball at the University of Texas from 1979-1982. While playing for the Longhorns, Millard honed his skills at both Guard and Tackle- winning All-SWC recognition for the latter in 1982. Surprisingly, he went undrafted in 1983 by the NFL, but the upstart USFL took a flyer on Bryan in the 12th round with the New Jersey Generals. He’d block upfront for the next two seasons for both Herschel Walker and Maurice Carthon helping pave the way for the Generals vaunted rushing attack.

With the league beginning to implode by 1984, Millard headed to the West Coast and joined the Seattle Seahawks, but did not join the starting lineup until midway through the 1985 season. Bryan saw action at both tackle positions before settling on the right guard spot- a position he’d anchor down for roughly the next 6 seasons. Durable, dependable, and strong (a weightlifting advocate who could bench press some 550 pounds), Millard somehow flew underthe radar while opening up holes for Curt Warner and John L Williams. Most notable about Bryan was that despite his size (6’5″, 282), he was nimble enough to trap on the off-side while also being able to take on the larger bull rushers of the era.  He earned one ProBowl nomination in 1988. Thanks in part to injuries, Bryan was forced to retire after the 1991 season.

Bryan lives in the Austin, Texas area. After dabbling in commercial real estate and pharmaceutical sales, he is now a full time real estate broker. I tried sending a few cards out last year, but they were RTS, so I attempted a new address and struck paydirt. Among Bryan’s other hobbies is actually collecting football cards, however I am not sure if he still partakes in the hobby since it has changed so much over the years from the 5 and dime, stick of gum.