NFL

Townsend, Greg

Card: Action Packed 1990
Acquired: In person 1992, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp
See also: Greg Townsend (2)

Drafted in the 4th round of the 1983 draft from TCU by the Los Angeles Raiders, Townsend was a shrewd pick by Al Davis.  Greg would go on to play for the team for 11 seasons (and an additional season for the Eagles in 1994) grabbing All Pro honors from 1988-1991. A dominating force from the defensive end position Townsend retired in 1997 with the Raiders as the team’s all time sack leader and is ranked 16th on the NFL sack list (as of 2010). He also is a member of the Superbowl champion XVIII Raiders team from1984 where they beat the Redskins 38-9.

During practice I enjoyed harassing players from the practice field fence. Greg came over to use the porta potty, where I asked him to give me his autograph. He sarcastically responded, “Hey kid! You want that in white or yellow?” We had a good laugh and he told me that he had to get back to practice but to hit him up afterwards as he’d have no problem with that. Good times. Townsend currently works for the silver and black.

G/GS   190/102    TAC n/a        SAC 109.5          FUM 8
INT 3     YDS 117     AVG   39.0     TD 1        LG  86t

NFL

Givins, Ernest


Cards: SkyBox 1992, Action Packed 1991, Score 1990, ProSet 1990, Action Packed 1992, GameDay 1992.
Acquired: In Person, 1991, 1994, Houston Oiler Training Camp. TTM 2010, c/o Home.
Sent: 3/26   Received:  4/29   (33 days)
See Also: Ernest Givins (2), Ernest Givins(3)

Ernest Givins was a second round choice of the Houston Oilers in 1986. At 5-9 178, Ernest was considered undersized for his position when he came out of Louisville, but was an amazing route runner and ideal for the slot position. He was also difficult to tackle and had incredible acrobatic balance accounting for shelves of highlight film including a hit where he was flipped over the back of the defender and made the catch, landing on his feet in the endzone. Ernest would play for the Oilers for the next ten seasons, (and one for Jacksonville,) notching two ProBowl nominations in 1992 and 1990- where in the latter he was also named All-Pro. He went over 900 yards 5 times in his career. Ernest was also well known for his after touchdown celebration dance entitled ‘The Electric Slide’ (shown partially in action in the Action Packed 1991 card,) which quickly endeared him to Oiler fans and became recognizable around the league.

In 1995 he was cut by the Oilers and signed with the expansion Jaguars where he played for one season. He finished first on the Houston Oilers all-time list for receptions and yards and tied for third in touchdowns. As of 2010, Givins lives in St. Petersburg, and is active in the community as a semi-pro football coach for the Bay Area Gamblers and offensive coordinator for Boca Ciega High School.

I met Ernest Givins and got his autograph at training camp on two different occasions. The first time went by with little fanfare. He signed my card and I thanked him. So by the time I got back to him in 1994, I was a bit more mouthy by then so I asked him to do his trademark touchdown dance ‘The Electric Slide’. His response coyly was, “I wouldn’t want to break tradition.” It was a good laugh. I later tracked him down through the internet, partially thanks to Wikipedia and got his autograph on a few extra cards.

Games  147      Rec 571        Yds 8215         Avg 14.4          Td 49           Lg 83T

NFL

Pitts, Chester

Card: Score 2009
Acquired: TTM 2009, Texans Blitz
See Also: Chester Pitts (2)

Chester Pitts was a 2nd round choice of the Houston Texans inaugural draft in 2002. He was one of 2 remaining ‘original’ Texans (Kris Brown being the other) remaining on the team roster as of 2009 and started 114 games in a row for the franchise first as a left tackle and then settling in at left guard. On a horrendous offensive line, Pitts provided key stability, consistency, and flexibility, in a variety of offensive systems playing for the Texans. Unfortunately in 2009 Pitts was playing in the final year of his contract. In the third game of the season he suffered a catastrophic knee injury and was unable to return to the lineup for the remainder of the season. The Texans took a wait and see approach to Pitts rehabilitation, but despite his efforts at rehabilitation, elected not to resign him where as he hit the free agent market and signed with the Seahawks before training camp in 2010. Pitts was the focus of a  Superbowl XLII commercial relating to how his career began which starred him and Ephraim Salaam, (who takes credit for ‘discovering’ Pitts bagging groceries at a local Ralph’s supermarket). Pitts is incredibly strong, and is a world class shotputter holding still many records at his alma matter San Diego State.  He is also an accomplished oboest.

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