Tag Archives: bobby humphery

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Humphery, Bobby (2)

Cards: Topps 1985, Topps 1987, Pro Set WLAF 1991 Update
Acquired: TTM 2017, C/o Home
Sent:  5/31   Received:  6/14  (15 days)
See Also: Bobby Humphery

Bobby Humphery was an enforcer for the San Antonio Riders during their 1992 season. Selected in the 11th round of the WLAF draft, he really provided veteran leadership to the young defensive backs. The Riders pass defense was ranked first in the league that year, and they were one of the few teams that could go toe to toe with the eventual World League Champion Sacramento Surge and a key reason for that was Bobby.

It was a shame that Pro Set pulled the plug on their WLAF set for the 1992 season. While Ultimate and Wild Card filled the vacancy as best as they could peppering  their sets with veterans and rookies, for some reason they both omitted the highly decorated Humphery.  I had to look hard to find any photography of Hump from his days in the WLAF.

Apparently he noticed that too, so when Bobby received the custom card I created he wrote me an extremely nice thank-you note.

Thank you Lee, for the Rider cards. I always wanted these cards but I could never find them. I will honor these.” – Bobby Humphery

The custom WLAF 1991 entry that I made of him was based off of a Gameday Magazine I had from that 1992 that was sold during the season finale. In the team notes, frequently they’d have a photo or small blurb about a player who has really made a difference on the team. The last one had this grainy black and white shot of Bobby. Although I have found other images on the web, I have not been able to find a suitable enough image, so I decided to go ahead and work with this image in Photoshop.  It came out decently enough for a colorized and fuzz adjusted image.  While I wasn’t entirely happy with my printer, it was satisfactory enough that I thought Bobby would appreciate it.  He also included a signed copy of his Topps 1985 rookie card as well as thanks for the additional copies of the Riders cards I gave him.

Among Bobby’s greatest NFL accomplishments is that he led the NFL in 1984 with 22 kick returns for 675 yards and a 97 yard touchdown. He also had 8 kick returns for 234 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals during the season finale in 1986.

NFL

Turner, Kevin (1969-2016)

Card: Star Pics 1992
Acquired: In Person, 1995. Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp

Fullback Kevin Turner while at Alabama would block for not only for 1000 yard back Bobby Humphrey but also Alabama great Siran Stacy. Drafted by the New England Patriots in the 3rd round of the 1992 draft, Kevin Turner was the prototypical fullback. In his career in New England, Turner on occasion spurred big plays and rightfully became a fan favorite. In 1993 he lateraled a ball to teammate Leonard Russell that Russell would take 72 yards to paydirt, and later in that season Kevin rumbled 49 yards to set up the winning score versus the Browns. In 1994, Kevin caught the game winning pass in overtime against the Minnesota Vikings which spurred the Patriots on a 7 game winning streak to make the playoffs. He’d play for the Patriots for 3 seasons before joining the Philadelphia Eagles as a restricted free agent. Turner became a fan favorite for the Eagles as well- due in part to his blue collar attitude and efficiency. A hard nosed blocker and occasional receiver out of the backfield he’d play with the Eagles an additional 5 seasons before retiring after his 8th season due to cervical stenosis (narrowing of the spinal column,) and the crippling injuries he had suffered earlier in his career.

Since his retirement, Turner has had multiple surgeries to remove parts of his spinal column,  and tragically in 2010 Turner was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease which is rumored to be linked to concussions. The NFL has attempted to take a more assertive approach to concussions but still lags behind in its treatment and veteran assistance.

Games  58      Att  160   Yds 635    Avg 4.0     Td  1     Lg  45
Rec 236      Yds 2015      Avg  8.5      Td 10     Lg 41

UPDATE 3/24/16: Kevin passed away today in hospice care, surrounded and loved by his family and friends. The cause of his death was Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Humphery, Bobby


Cards: ProSet 1989, ProSet 1990, Score 1990, Score Supplemental 1990, Fleer 1990
Acquired: In Person, San Antonio Riders v. Birmingham Fire 1992
See Also: Bobby Humphery (2)

Bobby Humphery, drafted in 1984 out of the 9th round, was a speedy athlete from New Mexico State. Initially he played wide receiver for the team, and starred on special teams as the Jets primary kick returner. In 1986 he was converted to a cornerback, where he played the rest of his career. In 1990 he was signed by the Rams for one season, and in 1992 signed on with the San Antonio Riders where he played defensive back for the team. Humphery’s statistics are misleading as he had not only played in a utility status for the teams he was on, he also defensed a lot of passes (which are not tracked), and his statistics only cover his seasons with the Jets and Rams. Bobby is one of a select few of players in the NFL that has scored a TD on offense, defense, and special teams. He made one Pro Bowl appearance over his career which would span 10 seasons with the Jets, Rams, Riders, Gold Miners, and San Antonio Texans.

Of small note, Bobby Humphery should not be confused with Bobby Humphrey who played runningback for the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins. (Humphery’s 1990 Fleer card is an error card with Humphrey’s picture on the back.)

After a humid night game against the Birmingham Fire, I saw Bobby in front of the locker room exhausted from the game. I frequently would pack more than one card of a player, in the hopes that they don’t mind signing multiples for my collection. Bobby would sign all five for me.

NFL
games  49      tac   N/a       sac  6        fum  10          int    5         yds  52     td 1
KR    130               yds  2974              avg   22.9                  td   2               lg  97T