Card: University of Texas Upper Deck 2011 Acquired: EBay, 2020
Johnny Treadwell played offensive guard and linebacker for the Texas Longhorns from 1960 to 1962 at a time when players played ironman football. A consensus All-American in 1961, Johnny earned SWC MVP Honors in 1962. Considered one of the best two way players in Texas football history, Johnny was the first player to make the #60 an iconic number for the Longhorns.
Another player from local Stephen F. Austin High School, Johnny’s moment in the sun occurred against the Arkansas Razorbacks in 1962. Forcing a TD saving fumble, Treadwell inspired his teammates to drive 90 yards for the winning touchdown. Johnny’s hit went down in Texas lore as simply, “The Tackle”, and cemented one of college football’s chief rivalries for years to come. Undersized, Johnny used his speed and power to violently level opposing ballcarriers with bone crushing hits, earning two nicknames during his playtime at UT: ‘Hammer-Hands’ and ‘Chopper’. He truly helped UT over the cusp of local dominance and into the National spotlight.
Playing in an era that did not see football as a professional job, Treadwell graduated from A&M’s veterinarian school after UT, and treated animals in Austin for 37 years. It has been confirmed he passed away from CET in 2014.
These cards were produced in 2011, so there was a short 3 year window for him to enjoy his first trading cards ever produced. It must have been quite the charge for him as a Lifetime Longhorn who embodied so much burnt orange to get his final due. That being said, he probably didn’t hand sign too many outside of the certified set. This autographed card was typically out of my price range, but after a very long wait, I was able to snipe this certified one out under $10.00 on EBay.
Card: University of Texas Upper Deck 2011 Acquired: EBay, 2020 Failure: TTM 2015 & 2018, C/o Home
Jim Bertelsen played alongside Steve Worster in the Texas wishbone offense. A reliable runner out of the backfield, Jim rushed for 740 yards on 104 carries and 13 TDs in 1969. He’d then rush for 891 yards and 13 TDs in 1970, and 879 yards in 1971. In both 1970 and 1971 Bertelsen was named All-SWC, and was team MVP as a Senior.
Jim was selected in the second round of the 1972 NFL draft. He’d play for the next five seasons for the team. His best season came in 1973 when he rushed 206 times for 854 yards and 4 TDs when he played fullback and was named to the Pro Bowl. Bertelsen switched back and forth between RB and FB over the remainder of his career, retiring after the 1976 season.
I had tried multiple times to get Jim’s autograph on his cards but had failed. In the end I frustratingly decided to get a copy of his certified autograph instead. At last glance he lived in Wimberly, Tx.
He passed away at the age of 71, in mid 2021. His cause of death was not released.
Card: University of Texas Upper Deck 2011 Acquired: 2020, EBay
A baseball and football wonder in high school, Texas won in the derby to get quarterback Shea Morenz where he’d play for the Longhorns from 1992-1995, and also be featured in right field for the baseball team. After redshirting out 1992, Shea set season and game Texas records for most attempts by a Freshman, while leading the squad to a share of the SWC Championship. In 1994, he’d split time in a two headed rotation with QB James Brown, but still managed to throw 12 TDs to 5 interceptions.
On his UT career, Shea was 312 of 579 for 3774 yards and 25 TDs to 24 int. After graduating from UT, Shea was selected in the first round of the 1995 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees. He’d spend 4 years in their farm system and a year with the San Diego Padres before retiring.
Morenz returned to school where he got his Masters in Business Administration, and is currently the President of a Mineral Holding Group. He is also a very active University of Texas alum.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
