A 2 time All-American at Purdue playing LB, Keena was selected in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft by the San Fransisco 49ers in 1980.
Played the next 11 seasons there, witnessing the rise of the 49ers dynasty, and winning 4 Super Bowl titles.
Best season came in ’84 with 70 tackles, 2 sacks, and 4 interceptions.
Retired after the 1990 season, and served as LB coach at Stanford from 1992-94.
Since 2001, has been in the front office of the San Fransisco 49ers organization, working in player development and alumni coordination, up to VP & Senior Advisor to the GM.
Score 1990, #539Score Supplemental 1989, #354S
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1984
NOTES:
Keena was one of the first players I played as on defense on the original Tecmo Bowl on Nintendo. (They converted him from LB to defensive end.)
It had been a long time since I wrote Shane, and he has so many set needs that I felt it was fine time to get him on a few more. I realized afterwards I missed on the Skybox 1993 card- which happens to have him as a member of the Rams. Conlan like many great pros before him, to me is iconic as a member of his primary team- the Buffalo Bills. Anything else just seems a bit forgetful or bizarre to me.
Upper Deck 1991, #153Topps 1989, #41
Still a few scattered Canton Acquisitions cards here and there. I was not a huge fan of any of these cards. Those cards being the Topps and Score issued cards. In these cards you can see the gap in his teeth where one of them is missing. It got knocked out in a high school game.
And here’s an Upper Deck card. Wow. How exciting. For priding themselves on being a leader of exciting sports photography on trading card canvases- that must have been an exciting phone call.
CARD: Fleer 1990, Photo Memorabilia ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Two time SWC selection at defensive tackle playing for SMU from 1978-81.
Selected in the 7th round of the 1982 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Played the 82 and 83 seasons for the Eagles totaling 5.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and 34 tackles.
After a season off in 84, found a home with the Indianapolis Colts.
Played for the Colts from 84-90, posting 6.5 sacks, a pick, and 7 fumble recoveries, seeing time at both DT and NT.
ACCOLADES:
SMU Athletics HoF 2014
NOTES:
Wow. Harvey Armstrong is just that guy you have to love. I mean here’s a guy who thought he was going to be a 2nd or 3rd round pick, and then was actually a 7th instead! He was upset and even considered going to the CFL but decided to stick it out with the Eagles, and it was a whirlwind ride for him. He did what we should all do and listen to veterans for advice and follow in their path. Harvey was able to carve out a nice career for himself over the years, and although the Super Bowl titles didn’t come to him, he saw accolades from SMU and a Fleer 1990 card- his only card ever produced at the end of his career.
He wrote a lot of inscriptions all over the envelope and enclosed the photo memorabilia as well. It can not be understated how important Harvey was to the SMU program on defense, giving them some football respect at the dawning of the 80s.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
