Tag Archives: Dallas Cowboys

NFL

Beuerlein, Steve

Cards: Action Packed 1992, Fleer 1990, ProSet 1990, ProSet 1992, ProSet Power 1992, Score 1989, Score 1990, Topps 1992, Upper Deck 1992.
Acquired: In Person, 1991-1992 Dallas Cowboys Training Camp. In Person, CGA Youth Golf Tournament 1993.

Steve defines accessibility and patience. When I went to Cowboys training camp, I found myself struggling to find new cards to purchase of Steve because he was a tireless signer who would autograph hundreds of cards after practice. Beuerlein was one of the better backups that the Cowboys had, and probably is the one of the better journeyman quarterbacks in NFL history.  A streaky passer,  Steve had his ups and downs, typically suiting up as second fiddle for around half his career.  He would go on to play or start for 6 teams over a 17 seasons including the Raiders, Cowboys, Cardinals, Jaguars, Panthers, and Broncos. Of small note, Steve was the first quarterback of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Steve would go to his only Pro Bowl in 1999 playing then for the Panthers, throwing for 36 touchdowns that year where he appeared out of nowhere, and stood a good chance of being MVP that year- if not for a certain somebody named Kurt Warner. He then disappeared under the radar again in 2000 but put up respectable numbers. Beuerlein signed with the Broncos and played back up behind Jake Plummer through 2003, but elected to resign with the Panthers on a one day contract so that he could retire with them. Since retirement Steve has taken up NFL broadcasting and is an avid golfer.

G 147      Att  1894       Comp 3328         Yds  24046
Td 147        Int 112          Rat 80.3

NFL

Childress, Ray

Cards:  Action Packed 1991, Fleer 1995, Pro Set 1989, Pro Set 1990, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: In Person, Houston Oilers Training Camp, 1992, 1995. TTM 2010, C/o Home
Sent:   3/26    Received:     4/3           (8 days)

Ray Childress is one of the most multidimensional and consistent defensive linemen who came out during the mid 80s. He played from 1985 to 1996. He received All America honors twice while in college at Texas A&M and still is ranked on the school’s leaders in both sacks and tackles 25 years after he graduated. Drafted in the first round by the Houston Oilers as a DE, Ray would play all positions along the line at some point during his career with the majority of that being at DT notching 4 Pro Bowl appearances at this position and 1 at DE playing in 154 games.  He was a 3 time first team All-Pro, and 3 time second team All- Pro. Childress holds the NFL record for most fumble recoveries in a season with 7 and most recovered in a game with 3.  He retired from injuries after a shoulder separation in 1996. Childress since football has become in a variety of ventures including his ongoing commitment to the Childress Foundation, and at one point owned a line of car dealerships. Childress was inducted into the College Football HOF in 2010.

My brother and I went to training camp in 1992. It was really funny to get Ray’s autograph, especially since he dwarfed my brother who was 6″3′. Ray then asked my brother if he was on the team which we both got some laughs out of. In 1995 Childress also signed my Fleer 1995 for me when I was at camp as he was walking on to the field. He was the first one of the day and that certainly put me in a good mood. In 2010 I started sending cards out in the mail again, and specifically targeted former Houston Oilers. I sent 4 cards out to Ray and he signed 3 and returned the 4th, which didn’t bother me at all as he was doing it as a courtesy for me anyway. Ray has been caught in the backlog of great players retiring during the mid 90s, and has not been inducted into the HOF, although I believe he should. With Elvin Bethea being inducted recently, it certainly does give hope that at some point he will sneak onto the ballot.

Games 163         Tac   861              Sac 76.5               Fum 19

NFL, Pro Football HoF, Super Bowl MVP

Smith, Emmitt

Card: Action Packed Rookies 1990
Acquired: In Person, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp 1991

Emmitt Smith was not my favorite Cowboy, based primarily on his elusiveness on and off the field in attaining his autograph. Going to training camp for 3 to 4 seasons, I only was able to attain his signature one time. He rarely stopped to sign and signed just a few at a time and left. In my particular case, I learned a good lesson: Never use a black sharpie on a hot day. Smith autographed my friend Josh’s card, then began to sign mine. The marker dried out mid stroke, so he said, “Sorry, your pen ran out of ink. I gotta go,” and handed my card back to me and drove off in his golf cart. I was mad. Josh jeered me. I told him, “Give me your damn marker,” and ran off to acquire the autograph. I hid in a pack of bikini clad women down near the end, where he stopped to sign all 12 of their cards and finally I got his autograph with Josh’s blue sharpie.

The NFL’s leading rusher by default with 18355 yards, (because Barry Sanders quit in his prime) Emmitt Smith was a durable slasher back that could absorb hits.  He won three Super Bowls, was MVP of Super Bowl XXVIII, set numerous NFL rushing records, was an 8 time Pro Bowler and 4 time All Pro. He played 13 seasons for the Cowboys and two for the Cardinals. Post NFL life has found Smith winning TV’s “Dancing With the Stars”, dabbling around in real estate, and in 2010 he was elected to the Pro Football HOF on his first ballot. It is also rumored that he continues to be a difficult autograph to attain…

Games  226      Att   4,409     Yds   18,355           Avg    4.2        TD 162