Card: TNT UT Legends Acquired: IP, 2014 See Also: Rod Babers
Over the years I’ve pretty much tapped out the complete card collection of Rod Babers. He’s a great local radio personality, and a really big fan and student of sports. It seems that whenever I run into him- we pick up where we left off, promise to hang out, and never get around to it. I mean maybe its the unsaid rule I follow that is basically even if a person is a D-list celebrity you should give them a lot of space. We tried to network for a Texans game in 2017, but that fell through. In the meantime he had a fallout with 1300 the Zone, but thankfully picked up right where he was at with ESPN doing what he does best.
I decided to pop in and say hi in 2018- A year after the last time I saw him at the Texans draft party when I had accurately predicted the Texans would trade up to take Deshawn Watson. We again picked up where we left off, and just started talking sport. His team thanked me for coming by and hanging out and we chatted for a bit. It was good times. We talked briefly about the AAF and the Texans but really weren’t able to get into details since he was pretty busy.
We catch up from time to time and he’s always very personable and friendly and loves to sign autographs.
Cards: Score 2014, Bowman 2014, Topps 2014 Mini Acquired: IP 2019, SA Commanders Team Signing Dick’s Sporting Goods at The Rim
Big man Cyril Richardson played guard at Baylor from 2010 to 2013. He was considered one of the more physical players in the 2014 NFL Draft and was selected in the 5th round by the Buffalo Bills. ( – The Texans even in 2014 were desperate for offensive line talent and I had hoped the team would select Richardson to develop .) He played in 12 games as a rookie for the team and spent the following season in 2015 on their practice squad. Cyril was released in 2016 and then joined the Bears practice squad to finish out the year. He’d be released during final cuts in 2017.
After Mekale McKay and Derron Smith both competed for the best designed card, I told them I was saving the best for last and gave Cyril his mini card. Cyril grabbed it and flashed it proudly at the others as they all gave a hearty laugh.
He currently is a member of the Seattle Dragons of the XFL.
Cards: Topps XFL 2001, Score 2010 Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o The Chicago Bears Sent: 2/4/19 Received: 4/2/19 (59 days)
Mike Furrey has made a very interesting professional football journey. After not being drafted out of Northern Iowa in 2000, he’d sign with the Colts but not make the squad.
Undeterred, he’d join the renegade XFL in 2001, where he’d play wide receiver for the Las Vegas Outlaws. He’d snag 18 catches for 242 yards and a 41 yard TD. As the team’s primary punt returner Mike also returned 11 punts for 94 yards.
After the XFL folded, he’d play for the New York Dragons of the Arena football league, spending two years with them in 2002 and 2003. During both seasons he posted 1000+ yard seasons and display a knack for playing defensive back, intercepting 6 passes. He’d also play for the St. Louis Rams in both of those years as well and oddly enough play both wide receiver and defensive back for the team, posting 21 receptions for 197 yards, and then intercept 4 passes for 143 yards, deflect 8 passes, and return one 67 yards for a TD from free safety.
Obviously Mike’s curious stat lines drew him attention in the open market as he signed with the Detrot Lions in 2006. He’d have his finest season as a WR, with 98 receptions for 1086 yards and 6 TDs in 14 starts, and follow that up in 2007 with 61 receptions for 664 yards and a TD. After a subpar 2008, Mike made a stop with the Cleveland Browns in 2009- where he saw significant time again starting 4 games at WR while moonlighting at safety as well. After the season concluded he joined the Washington Redskins but did not make the squad.
Very soon thereafter, Mike went into college coaching and as of this post in 2019, is the wide receivers coach for the Chicago Bears.
Some very interesting design between these two cards. I love the Score 2010, almost as much as Score 2009. It’s got great color, and the slightly off white helps the image stand off the canvas just a little more. I especially like the use of the designs in the top corners of the card to give it that painted effect. This set felt like a direct heir to the 2009 set that I adore.
The Topps XFL card represented everything gaudy about the Attitude Era that bled from WWE into the XFL. It’s an underused design to have both the player’s face and an action image on the front of the card, but this one pulls it off- albeit just a bit over designed.
NFL G/GS
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
94/41
221
2298
10.4
7
49
NFL TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
77
0
5
4
143
35.7
1
67T
NFL PR
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
23
213
9.3
0
28
ARENA
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
182
2629
14.4
73
N/A
ARENA TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
78
0
0
6
16
2.7
0
N/A
XFL REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
18
242
13.4
1
41T
XFL PR
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
11
94
8.5
0
21
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
