NFL

Miller, Chris

Cards: Pinnacle 1992, Upper Deck 1991, Skybox 1992, ProSet 1991,ProSet 1990,ProLine 1992, Proline Profiles 1992, Upper Deck 1992.
Acquired: In Person 1993, CGA Youth Golf Tournament
See Also: Chris Miller 2

Out of the University of Oregon, the Atlanta Falcons drafted Chris Miller with their first round pick of the 1987 draft under head coach Marion Campbell. A solid, traditional drop back passer with great mechanics, Chris was also a talented pitcher who threw for the Bellingham Mariners and Salinas Spurs in 1986.

He’d be slowly brought along by the team, but by his second year, Chris established himself as the starting quarterback of the Falcons. In 1989, despite the team’s bad record, Chris led the NFL with the lowest interception ratio at 1.9%. Oddly Miller is one of those strange quarterbacks who had a good touchdown to interception ratio, but had a losing record.

It wouldn’t be till 1991 when head coach Jerry Glanville took charge and installed the Red Gun offense that Miller would take fire, leading the team to the playoffs, posting his best record and statistics as a professional. He’d also go to the Pro Bowl after the season- one of the major highlights of his career.  He’d leave the Falcons and sign with the Rams, staying there for two seasons in 1994 and 1995, before retiring due to a concussion.

He would heroically return in 1999 to play for the Broncos- but once again he’d suffer another concussion and retire for good.

Since pro ball, Chris has coached at the High School level back in Oregon before he was hired to be the Cardinals quarterbacks coach in 2008. I met him at the CGA youth golf tournament where he signed every card I had on me in exchange for the 17×24″ drawing I did of him. He was really impressed by the likeness that I did of him.

G/Gs 98/92    Att 2892     Comp 1580    Yds 19320   Pct 54.6
Td 123   Int 102   Rat 74.9

NFL

Murray, Eddie

Cards: ProSet 1990 PB, ProSet 1991, Score 1990
Acquired: In Person, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp 1993

One of the rare Canadians who played in the NFL, Eddie Murray graduated from Tulane in 1980 and is most remembered for playing 12 seasons for the Detroit Lions after being drafted in the 7th round. A solidly consistent kicker -during an era of notable kickers, (Pat Leahy, Gary Anderson,Morten Andersen,Norm Johnson, Nick Lowry, etc) Eddie was amongst the best of them named to the ProBowl on numerous occasions and being named MVP of the game in 1981. Named to the NFL All 1980’s team, Eddie finished as 6th all time in scoring before retiring with 1594 points, (but as of 2010 he’s ranked 14th,) and is the highest scoring Canadian born citizen in the NFL record book. He was 238/275 within the 39 yard line and frighteningly effective from 20-29 yards hitting 92 of 98 field goals.

After playing  for the Detroit Lions through 1991, Murray would hop over to the Chiefs and Buccaneers for 1992, then over to the Dallas Cowboys winning a SuperBowl ring in 1993. It was here at training camp I’d get his autograph on 3 separate occasions at camp. He was a really gracious signer and would pretty much sign everything before and after practice. Amazingly after his one year stint with the Cowboys Murray just kept going, playing for the Eagles and Redskins one year a piece through 1995. It was thought he retired in 1996 but was called up by the the Minnesota Vikings where he kicked in 1997, the Cowboys again in 1999 and in 2000 for the Redskins before finally retiring after 21 seasons. He currently lives in relative anonymity in Michigan where in 2010 he was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.

G/Gs 250/250    Xpa 538   Xpm 545   Pct 98.7%     FGA 352    FGM 466      Pct 75.5%    lg N/a

NFL

Stephens, John (1966-2009)

Cards: Action Packed 1991, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: TTM 1992, Patriots Blitz

John Stephens was a bruising halfback drafted in the first round of the 1988 draft by the New England Patriots. A tough, relatively unknown competitor from a small Louisiana college, John would burst onto the scene and in his rookie season it would culminate with him taking the offensive rookie of the year award home rushing for 1168 yards and a Pro Bowl nod.   A relatively plain halfback with excellent quickness and relentless, churning legs, he would lead the Patriots in rushing the next two seasons, but never eclipse the 1,000 yard mark or return to the ProBowl with injuries beginning to slow him down. With Leonard Russell drafted in 1991, John would be relegated to backup- but refused to give up and moved to fullback where he refined himself as a tough blocker. He’d stay with the team through 1992. In 1993 he’d play in one final season splitting time with the Chiefs, Packers and Falcons before retiring. Since then, John had led a relatively quiet life in the Louisiana area, but tragically was killed in 2009 when his car slammed into a tree and he was thrown from the car. Below are his career statistics:

G/Gs 88/64    Att 945    Yds 3440   Avg 3.6   Td 18   Lg 52  |
Rec 105     Yds 812     Avg 7.7    Td 1    Lg 43

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