Tag Archives: fleer 1990

NFL, usfl

Newton, Nate “The Kitchen”

Cards: Action Packed 1992, GameDay 1992, Fleer 1990
Acquired: In Person, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp 1990, 1992, 1997

Nate Newton. In the age of gigantic offensive linemen, Nate Newton certainly set the tempo. It seemed like every training camp that you’d hear about Nate showing up 15-30 pounds overweight- and the media would eagerly report it. A man whose personality was almost as big as his girth, you could count on Newton to have a great media soundbyte or something to say back to fans as he signed cards. His nickname “The Kitchen” was also a humorous poke at his weight and the fact that he was as big as a kitchen.

Originally from Florida A&M, Newton would sign in 1984 with the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL. After not being drafted in the USFL dispersal draft in 1985, Nate would be signed as a free agent by the Dallas Cowboys where after a few years became a refined and imposing tackle protecting Troy Aikman and clearing holes for Emmitt Smith. Playing  for the Cowboys Newton would go to the ProBowl 6 times, was named AP twice, and won 3 SuperBowl rings during his career through 1998. He’d finish out his tenure in the NFL playing one final season in 1999 for the Carolina Panthers.

Since retirement, “The Kitchen” has experienced a rocky road. After spending some time in prison for having 175 pounds of marijuana in his car, Newton has played it on straight and narrow. He isn’t apologetic for what he did, but he has claimed to have reformed going as far as becoming a regular church man. He has also spent some time working as an offensive coordinator for a football clinic near Dallas. Newton’s weight earlier this year dangerously spiraled out of control and was over 400 pounds, but he has since lost over 175 pounds.

Newton’s cards are interesting. At the first training camp in 1990, Newton signed the front of the card. After that, he made a habit of signing the back. Whether this was some unconscious acknowledgement of his weight or a way of scratching it out remains to be seen but because of his behavior and despite his stellar football career, Newton will probably never see the NFL Hall of Fame.

NFL

Thornton, James “Robocop”

Card: Fleer 1990
Acquired: In Person 1995, Houston Oilers Training Camp

James Thornton was an able bodied tight end with fairly soft hands where his first touchdown catch from Mike Tomzcak was a critical game winner in 1989. A Cal State Fullerton grad in 1988, “Robocop” (as team mates nicknamed him because of his biceps,) was a shrewd 4th rounder during the heyday of Ditka and the Bears. He’d have his best season in 1990 grabbing a career high 24 balls for 392 yards and 3 touchdowns. Robocop also averaged well over 14 yards a grab while with the Bears during his 4 seasons there. Greener pastures would call to Thornton and in 1993 and 1994 he’d play for the Jets, before finishing it out with the Oilers in 1995 where I got his autograph on this great Fleer 1990 card at training camp that year.

G/Gs 96/70    Rec 107   Yds  1338   Avg 12.5   Td 7   Lg 36t

NFL

Bates, Bill

Cards: ProSet 1989, Fleer 1990, Score 1989
Acquired: In Person 1990, 1992, 1997, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Bill Bates is a special player and is one of those players of Dallas Cowboys lore. Undrafted out of Tennessee in 1983, he’d sign a free agent contract with Tom Landry’s Cowboys, where Bates excelled as a fan favorite and a special teams commando.. Undersized and considered slow, Bates had a heart and a motor that made up for both of those shortcomings. His ability to get down the field and uncannily make the jarring hit on the returner was so unbelievable that the NFL basically created a special teamer’s slot in the Pro Bowl just for him. He was named AP and to the Pro Bowl in 1984.  Bill early in his career was also utilized well on safety blitzes as he made 9 sacks over his first two seasons. He had a career high 4 interceptions in 1985 and a career high 124 tackles in 1988 from his strong safety position. With a new coach on board (Jimmy Johnson) in 1989 there was some fear that Bates would be cut. Instead he found himself back on special teams again where he remained a key backup with the team through 2 Superbowl victories and retirement after the 1997 season.

Bill has remained quite active since retirement and has spent time as an assistant coach with the Jags and at the high school level. He’s been a motivational speaker, penned his own autobiography and owns a ranch outside of Dallas. -And of course Bill Bates remains a Cowboys spokesperson.

G/Gs 217/47    Tac 667      Sac 18      Fum 7     Int 14    Yds 122     Avg 8.7     Td 0      lg 29