Category Archives: University of Texas

NFL, University of Texas

Dawson, Doug

Cards: UT Upper Deck 2011, Topps Stadium Club 1993
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Work
Sent: 7/9      Received: 8/7  (29 days)

Doug Dawson was an acclaimed lineman at the University of Texas where he received All-American Honors. At 6’2″, 288, he graded out extremely well as both a run and pass blocker, and displayed the versatility and intelligence to play guard and center.  Dawson was taken in round 2 with the 45th pick by the then St. Louis Cardinals. He’d almost immediately be tabbed by the team as a starter and by all accounts appeared to be a steal for the team. Doug started 15 games in 1984, and 16 in ’85, before a calamitous knee injury ended his career 1 game into the 1986 season- or so we all though.

Dawson thought his playing days were over, but the desire was always there to play. Over the next few years he took up insurance, but medical technology made a huge jump during that period, and his doctors were confident they could rebuild Dawson and medically clear him to play again. Doug was given a tryout by his hometown Houston Oilers. The Oilers were particularly deep on the line, with Hall of Famers Mike Munchak and Bruce Matthews manning the front along with Dean Steinkuhuler, Jay Pennison, and David Williams. Don Maggs and Erik Norgard also were waiting in the wings to get on the field at the drop of a hat, but somehow, Doug with his versatility, veteran presence, (and probably affordability), won a spot on the roster with the team after essentially a 4 year layoff. Despite his heroic comeback (-even starting a game for the Oilers during the 1990 season,) Doug was snubbed for comeback player of the year honors in favor of Ottis Anderson.

In 1991 Doug returned to full form in the run ‘n shoot offense, blocking for Warren Moon full time. The running game also slowly picked up steam during his tenure with the team, culminating with 1,000 yard seasons for Lorenzo White in 1992, and Gary Brown in 1993.  Doug enjoyed some of my favorite seasons as an Oiler, helping to raise the AFC Central Division Championship banner in 1991 and 1993 in Houston. He played one final season for the Browns in 1994 and retired.

I never found a card of Doug, even though I was aware of him when they signed him. Since he was drafted in 1984, Topps was the only brand on the market, and although he was a second round choice who did make an impact on the Cardinals squad, he was still playing in a siberian wasteland. Last year I was happy to find him in a box of the University of Texas Upper Deck cards and noted him for a short list. I wrote him courtesy of his business, Dawson Financial Services, – a catalyst for customers to manage, clarify, and plan towards their financial goals. I was really happy to get a response, but surprised as Doug apparently read my letter that mentioned that I couldn’t find any cards of him until 2011, and touchingly included the Stadium Club 1993 card autographed as well in his response.

 

 

College Football HoF, IFL, NFL, University of Texas

McMichael, Steve “Mongo” (2)

Card: UT UD 2011
Acquired: C/o Home, 2012
Sent:       Received: 7/14  (days)
See also: Steve McMichael “Mongo” 

Steve McMichael and Ray Childress were my favorite defensive linemen when I was a kid, so to meet both of them during my younger years was quite a treat to me. I had already gotten back around to Ray, and had been looking for a good excuse to write Steve again, so when the University of Texas Upper Deck 2011 set came out, I thought I had the best justification to do so, and put 3 cards in the mail. Well, I’m guessing Steve didn’t have his UT Upper Deck All American card or his All Time Alumni card as he kept those. Still the fact that he signed his base set card, was what I really wanted most, so to just get only one back from him was fine by me.

McMichael gained notoriety while playing with the Bears for having a penchant to come up with big plays when they mattered. He also started 101 straight games at defensive tackle. Mike Ditka called McMichael the toughest player he ever coached.  Now let me stress that again… Mike Ditka called him that.  He’d later go on to enjoy a strong wrestling career in the WWF and WCW as Mongo. I even saw him live at the Erwin Center in Austin where fans who remembered were happy to see him. Steve was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.  He currently does radio for the pregame show of the Bears outside of Chicago and is head coach of the Chicago Slaughter of the Indoor Football League.

NFL, University of Texas

Whittaker, Foswhitt ‘Fozzy’

Card: Ultimate 2012
Acquired: In Person, 6/10/2012 Houston 610 Fan Fest III
See Also: Fozzy Whittaker (2)

Fozzy Whittaker is an electric halfback that played for the University of Texas. With deceptive speed and shifty hips he is a do-it-all back that can take the ball to the house anytime he touches it. A tad undersized at 5-10, 198, Fozzy, carried the ball 263 times for 1233 yards and 12 touchdowns, and returned 10 kicks for (-and this is not a typo,) 424 yards and 2 touchdowns in his college career at UT.  He’s a great receiver out of the backfield too. Whittaker was not drafted in the 2012 draft because he was still rehabbing from an injury that he incurred during his Senior season. It was a shame as his stock was skyrocketing after his 2 touchdown performance against the Sooners. Scouts however remained interested in him and invited him to the combine where he performed the only test he could at the time- the
benchpress.

When I met Fozzy at the 610 Fan Fest, his line wasn’t too busy but he was one of the first ones open and was so kind taking photos with fans and signing autographs. I had to order this card online to get it in time since I lost out on getting his Upper Deck Rookies card that I wanted. Fozzy smiled and told me he remains committed to his rehabilitation and looks forward to getting a shot with a team this season. Really a cool guy and I wish him all the best for the future.

UPDATE: Fozzy was signed at the beginning of 2013 by the San Diego Chargers to a free agent contract, after sitting out 2012 partially due to rehabilitation from his injuries.