Cards: SkyBox 1992, Action Packed 1991, Score 1990, ProSet 1990, Action Packed 1992, GameDay 1992.
Acquired: In Person, 1991, 1994, Houston Oiler Training Camp. TTM 2010, c/o Home.
Sent: 3/26   Received:  4/29   (33 days)
See Also: Ernest Givins (2), Ernest Givins(3)

Ernest Givins was a second round choice of the Houston Oilers in 1986. At 5-9 178, Ernest was considered undersized for his position when he came out of Louisville, but was an amazing route runner and ideal for the slot position. He was also difficult to tackle and had incredible acrobatic balance accounting for shelves of highlight film including a hit where he was flipped over the back of the defender and made the catch, landing on his feet in the endzone. Ernest would play for the Oilers for the next ten seasons, (and one for Jacksonville,) notching two ProBowl nominations in 1992 and 1990- where in the latter he was also named All-Pro. He went over 900 yards 5 times in his career. Ernest was also well known for his after touchdown celebration dance entitled ‘The Electric Slide’ (shown partially in action in the Action Packed 1991 card,) which quickly endeared him to Oiler fans and became recognizable around the league.

In 1995 he was cut by the Oilers and signed with the expansion Jaguars where he played for one season. He finished first on the Houston Oilers all-time list for receptions and yards and tied for third in touchdowns. As of 2010, Givins lives in St. Petersburg, and is active in the community as a semi-pro football coach for the Bay Area Gamblers and offensive coordinator for Boca Ciega High School.

I met Ernest Givins and got his autograph at training camp on two different occasions. The first time went by with little fanfare. He signed my card and I thanked him. So by the time I got back to him in 1994, I was a bit more mouthy by then so I asked him to do his trademark touchdown dance ‘The Electric Slide’. His response coyly was, “I wouldn’t want to break tradition.” It was a good laugh. I later tracked him down through the internet, partially thanks to Wikipedia and got his autograph on a few extra cards.

Games  147      Rec 571        Yds 8215         Avg 14.4          Td 49           Lg 83T