Card: University of Texas Upper Deck 2011
Acquired: TTM 2016, C/o Work
Sent: 4/7/16 Received: 4/15/16 (8 days)
With a name like Dusty Mangum, it’s easy to see why by in name alone he’s considered a Longhorn Legend. With ice in his veins, fans ‘Magnum’ became endeared to Texas fans for his penchant to make critical kicks in the waning moments of games. No contest was more critical to the Longhorns than the 91st Rose Bowl- a pivotal matchup against the Michigan Wolverines in 2005. The Burnt Orange had returned to prominence, but there were still doubters out there of the Longhorns abilities. Texas battled Michigan to the final bell where as time expired Dusty kicked a 37 yard winning field goal to give the Longhorns the win 38 to 37. The kick was notable due to the fact that it was Mangum’s final kick and catapulted him into becoming a mini-state celebrity darling. Dusty’s story is all the more amazing in that he was originally a walk on who worked his way up to become the 3rd leading scorer in school history with 358 points.
Texas has a storied history of kickers. Phil Dawson and Justin Tucker are current names, but then there was kickers in their own right like Bobby Liljedahl, Happy Feller, and Russell Erxleben. Then there was Dusty. Who knows why Dusty never pursued a pro career. He certainly had the resume and leg strength to go for it. Maybe he realized that this was his best chance to go out on top?
Since his glory days at Texas, the Longhorn Legend has lived in the North Texas area where I got his autograph on this card in a very short period of time.
Cards: Sage 2000 (1/4,500), Upper Deck 2000 (1000/1000)
Acquired: In Person 2016, Jordan Shipley Camp
See Also: Kwame Cavil, Kwame Cavil (2)
Kwame loves signing cards when I see him. When I presented these two cards to him after camp, his first response was, “Ohhhh yeah!” Cavil has been rounding the football camp for kids circuit over the past few years. He’s very good with them, knows how to organize and lead, and it seems that all the kids respond well in kind and just love him. As of 2016 Cavil has moved from Manor High School up to Temple where he coaches football as well.
Coincidentally both of these cards are very important numbers in their ‘limited release’ with the Sage being #1 of 4,500, and the Upper Deck issue coming in at 1000 of 1000. It means very little value wise, but as far as their place in my universe, it’s the first time I’ve ever hit on either end like that.
Card: University of Texas Upper Deck 2011
Acquired: 2014, Spoodog Box Break
A well decorated lineman at the time of his graduation from the University of Texas in 1996, Dan Neil was an All-American in his final season for the Longhorns. Over his time with the burnt orange, Dan started 49 straight contests at either guard or center. He’d be selected in the 3rd round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Broncos, and be a surprising contributor to Denver’s Super Bowl runs, blocking up front for John Elway. A durable and reliable presence he’d start 104 games playing primarily at right guard. As of 2017, he lives in the Austin area and does radio work. He was inducted as a Longhorn Legend into the Football Hall of Honor in 2008.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
Card: University of Texas Upper Deck 2011
