Starting 5 contests he’d catch 16 passes for 176 yards.
After the league folded, he retired and became a fireman in California.
NOTES:
I was pretty terrified of Gavin with the Fleet as I remembered him from his time with the Cowboys. Pretty sure he gashed the Commanders for a few good catches during the AAF opener in San Antonio.
EPITAPH:
9/28/22- Gavin Escobar was tragically killed in a mountaineering accident as an old, degraded fixed sling, around a tree broke during unpredictably inclement weather, causing he and Chelsea Walsh to fall several hundred feet to their deaths at the base of Tahquitz Rock. He was only 31.
There he had over 100 tackles in 3 straight years, including 129 as a senior.
A sneaky 10th round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1989.
Saw playing time both on special teams and at ILB.
Totaled 41 total tackles, a sack, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble in his rookie campaign.
A key backup, he played sparingly over the next few seasons.
Lost a good portion of his 1993 and all of his 1994 seasons to a knee injury.
Returned again to a key role as a special teamer and backup linebacker.
Signed with the Bengals in 1998 and finished the regular season as a member of the Baltimore Ravens.
Entered the college coaching ranks in 2003 working with Youngstown State.
In 2010, Jerry became a defensive assistant with the Steelers.
Then was moved to the inside linebackers coaching position with the team in 2015.
In 2023, joined Duquense as a defensive assistant.
ACCOLADES:
All Rookie Team 1989
NOTES:
Jerry only had 4 cards or so, but made out pretty good with these two. Topps always had a deep cut or two and Jerry qualifies as such in one of these rare action shots.
Torrey Smith converted from QB to WR his Freshman year at Maryland in 2007.
The raw talent speed merchant stepped into the starting lineup for 6 games in 2008 seeing significant time on special teams returning kicks.
Posted a 25.9 Average, returning 42 kicks and 1 99 yards for a TD.
In 2009, he pulled double duty, catching 61 passes for 824 yards and 5 TDs, while leading the NCAA with 51 returns for 1309 yards (2 TDs).
Then in 2010, Smith caught 67 passes for 1055 yards and 12 TDs.
2nd round pick of the Ravens in 2011.
Immediately built rapport with QB Joe Flacco as a deep vertical threat.
Caught 50 passes for 841 yards and 7 TDs his rookie campaign.
In 2013 had a career high 65 catches for 1,128 yards and 4 TDs.
His 2014 campaign would yield a career high 11 TD catches on 49 receptions.
Played 2015 and ’16 with the San Fransisco 49ers.
Posted a league high 20.1 yards per reception in 2015 on 33 receptions.
Joined the Eagles for 2017 winning his second Super Bowl catching 36 passes for 430 yards and 2 TDs.
Final season in 2018 was with the Panthers in primarily a backup capacity, but still managed to catch 17 passes for 190 yards and 2 TDs.
Hugely involved in philanthropic work- an area Torrey has been recognized in for his contributions.
Torrey has expanded his interests into working both in radio and podcasts as a co-host of “The Opening Drive” and “Trending Thoughts with Torrey Smith”.
ACCOLADES:
Library of Virginia – Strong Men & Women of Virginia History
Colonial Beach Park- Named in his honor
NOTES:
A beautiful, beautiful tricolor patch card from Torrey’s Jersey here that I was able to negotiate off the seller at a more than fair price. If you think that the card market is fine, then I’m more than happy to poach mid range memorable Hall of very good, tricolor patches, and select autographs off of you.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
