A really well designed card here of Tyler Ervin. It’s almost- just almost over-designed but I still dig it. Anyway they hadn’t issued numbers yet for players so the double Ott zero goes to Tyler. It takes a bit of Photoshop magic to make these things happen so kudos to the designer who had their hand in this one. About the only thing I don’t like is the silver type of his name gets a little lost in the clouds per say- but otherwise its a gorgeous card.
The Texans were looking for speed in the 2016 NFL Draft- something they sorely missed as their team aged over the previous few seasons. Ervin was an intriguing prospect to them, so Houston plucked him out in the 4th round. During his time at San Jose State, Tyler established himself as a dangerous return man and a dependable back. On regular occasions he broke school single game and season combined yards from scrimmage records. Ervin finished his Senior year at the school with 1601 yards rushing, and 334 yards receiving.
The coaching staff in Houston has been patient with the development of Tyler. Injuries have ended both his 2016 and 2017 NFL seasons before they got off the ground. He in fact, was considered on the outside looking in, going towards the 2018 camp, but much to his credit he battled up and into the runningback picture, and returned kicks and punts throughout the season. He’d be cut midway through 2018, with the return of D’Onta Foreman evident.
He’d spent most of the rest of the season with the Baltimore Ravens on their practice squad, and was claimed off of waivers by the Jaguars before the 2019 season, where the team used him occasionally on kick and punt return duties. He was released near the end of the season and picked up by the Green Bay Packers.
Looks like Steven was getting a bit tired of signing cards at this point. The autograph looks a bit shortened- but I’ll take it!
Steven Johnson is a great football story- as he’s managed to succeed against all odds. He didn’t receive any college opportunities out of high school, and after playing both ways at Wyoming Seminary, he suffered a devastating knee injury that tore it essentially from the socket. After rehabbing, he walked-on at Kansas and fought his way up the depth chart. By his Junior year he was an entrenched starter at linebacker. He finished his college career with 225 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 pass deflections and an interception in 35 games.
Undrafted, Steven signed with the Denver Broncos in 2012 and managed to make the 52 man roster playing primarily on special teams. He started 7 games in 2014 at middle linebacker, posting 39 total tackles, .5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. He’d then embark on a series on stops with the Titans (2015), Steelers (2016), Steelers and Ravens (2017).
He’d join the Alliance of American Football for the 2019 season and be assigned to the Arizona Hotshots. Steven had a banner season for the Hotshots. He’d lead the team in interceptions with 3, and finish 3rd on the team in combined tackles with 48.
After the AAF folded suddenly, Johnson was selected by the Seattle Dragons of the XFL 2020. Over the course of the 5 game season, Steven posted 48 tackles to lead all players in the league. Unfortunately due to the Coronavirus outbreak- the XFL cancelled the remainder of the season
Cards: Score 1990, Action Packed 1990, Topps 1990 Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o The University of Wisconsin Sent: 2/4 Received: 2/14 (10 days) See Also: John Settle
John still has it after all these years. He signed these cards in only 10 days care of Wisconsin. Much to my chagrin he did sign the autograph box on the back of the Action Packed card, but still these were very nice to add to my collection and probably wrap up any card of his that he had over the years.
After coaching for the Panthers from 2011 to 2012, John served one season with the Cleveland Browns in 2013. He returned to the college ranks and picked up a year with the University of Pittsburgh, before returning to the University of Wisconsin. John is a fixture as a RB coach since retirement, and has worked wonders tutoring many young backs to the pro ranks.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
