NFL, usfl

Seale, Eugene

Card: ProSet Power 1992
Acquired: In Person, Houston Oilers Training Camp 1992

Considered a local legend for Lamar University, Eugene Seale  went undrafted coming out of college in 1986. (The USFL New Jersey Generals drafted him in the 5th round of the USFL draft, but the league ceased operations shortly afterwards.)  Houston Oilers head coach Jerry Glanville was looking for headhunters during the 1987 NFL work stoppage- and had to look no further than the undersized special teams demon. Eugene Seale would become the Houston poster child for replacement players and fans. He’d get the majority of his starting time at linebacker out of the way in his first two seasons, making 2 interceptions (one for a touchdown) and recording a safety in 1988. While the Oilers would be slowly stripped away by Plan B, Seale would remain with the team, leading the team regularly in special teams tackles and leaving a trail of crushed kick returners and blocked punts in his wake. It was once even said, “Eugene Seale doesn’t tackle people. He uncoils and explodes into them.”  Eugene would retire after 6 seasons with the Oilers in 1992. He lives in Orange, Tx and is a big fan of Lamar football.

Here is a link to Eugene’s Lamar career: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSMnDoLiQeU

G/Gs  79/5     Tac N/a    Sac  2.0      Fum 0
Int 2  Yds 119     Avg 54.5    Td 1     Lg  73T

NFL

Thornton, James “Robocop”

Card: Fleer 1990
Acquired: In Person 1995, Houston Oilers Training Camp

James Thornton was an able bodied tight end with fairly soft hands where his first touchdown catch from Mike Tomzcak was a critical game winner in 1989. A Cal State Fullerton grad in 1988, “Robocop” (as team mates nicknamed him because of his biceps,) was a shrewd 4th rounder during the heyday of Ditka and the Bears. He’d have his best season in 1990 grabbing a career high 24 balls for 392 yards and 3 touchdowns. Robocop also averaged well over 14 yards a grab while with the Bears during his 4 seasons there. Greener pastures would call to Thornton and in 1993 and 1994 he’d play for the Jets, before finishing it out with the Oilers in 1995 where I got his autograph on this great Fleer 1990 card at training camp that year.

G/Gs 96/70    Rec 107   Yds  1338   Avg 12.5   Td 7   Lg 36t

College Football HoF, NFL

Friesz, John “Deep”

Cards: Action Packed 1992, Action Packed Rookies 1991
Acquired: TTM 1993, C/o The San Diego Chargers

John Freisz was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the 6th round of the 1990 draft. Considered to be the ‘future’ of the franchise- based on his amazing performance at Idaho leading them to an 8-0 record and throwing for over 4,000 yards- the future came sooner than anybody expected when Billy Joe Tolliver left after the season concluded.

In 1991 Friesz took over as starting quarterback of the Chargers, starting all 16 games. Allowed to flourish- he threw for 2896 yards and 12 touchdowns as a traditional drop back passer. Friesz suffered a season ending injury in the 1992 preseason and did not return until 1993, throwing 6 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. A new head coach led John in a new direction- as John became a journeyman quarterback, playing in Washington for a season, before a four season stint with Seattle starting in 1995. In 1996, (John’s best year,) he’d win 4 starts and lose only 2 putting up a respectable 86.2 quarterback rating.  In 1995, he came off the bench for the Seahawks leading the team back from a 20-0 deficit against the Denver Broncos- engineering 3 4th quarter touchdown drives. After his stint in Seattle, Friesz would play two non-discript seasons for the New England Patriots and retire.

Friesz was the epitome of the walking wounded. Over his career he broke his thumb, leg, suffered injuries to his knees and separated his non-throwing shoulder. He also spent 15 games of his rookie season on IR, and the whole 1992 season there as well. John was well liked by his teammates. With a workman like attitude and a team player, Friesz rarely if ever complained when salary cap problems, politics and injuries caused him to lose his starting job.

An avid outdoorsman, John especially enjoys fishing and is a certified Scuba diver. John’s last name is pronounced “Freez” and was nicknamed “Deep” by his teammates in college.

In 2006, John’s number was retired by Idaho and he became the school’s first inductee into the College Football HoF that year as well. In 2009 he’d also be inducted into the Inland Northwest HoF. He remains active to this day in his community participating in golf tournaments, hosting numerous charities for the Special Olympics and participating in Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America.

G/Gs 69/38     Att 1364    Comp 745    Yds 8699    Pct 54.6%
Td 45       Int 42        Rat  72.3

Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.

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