Tag Archives: friday night lights

NFL, University of Texas

Jackson, Lee ‘Lee J’

tntcol ljackson Card: TNT College
Acquired: In Person 2016, Mighty Fine Burgers Battle of the Beast

Lee Jackson has had an interesting football career. He arrived at the University of Texas in 1998, in the same year the school hired coach Mack Brown. He overhauled the defense, and Jackson got the nod at Free Safety in 1999, and was named as Texas’ Most Outstanding Defensive Newcomer.  In 2000, things went sideways when Jackson suffered a nagging season long hamstring injury.  Buried on the depth chart, Jackson was given an opportunity to shift to linebacker by the coaching staff in 2001 and after an encouraging Spring things were looking up.  Lee then had a toe injury that sidelined him for the season. In the meantime the Longhorns saw the emergence of All American Derrick Johnson at linebacker.  Still it was onward and upward for Jackson in 2002.  With a full injury free season at linebacker in 2003,  Lee capped his career recovering a pair of fumbles and returning one 46 yards for a touchdown to help the Longhorns earn a 35-20 win against LSU in the Cotton Bowl.

With an intriguing pro day, Jackson became a priority free agent after the 2003 draft. He’d be signed by the Tennessee Titans but did not make the squad.  Jackson quickly found his footing… as an actor, joining the cast of Friday Night Lights.

Lee is frequently seen at UT events- or at least the ones I go to. I first met him way back at the UT Neighborhood Alumni Bowling Tournament in 2013. He and I just sat there chilling while everybody else bowled talking about football. Later I ran into him at the grand opening of Derrick Johnson’s new sport performance gym in 2014. I caught up with him and I brought up football cards and how he was on Tecmo Rose Bowl. He was excited to know I was involved with those things. It took me a long time to find a photo, but eventually I got his card made. In 2016, I ran into him at the Mighty Fine event and gave him his card. He was very touched by what I did and I know it meant a lot to him. We exchanged pleasantries and talked for about 15 minutes.

Some of my fellow collectors call him ‘Hollywood Longhorn’,  but I scoff at that notion, because Jackson’s career contributions are frequently overlooked due to his injuries and position changes. To me, his LSU game alone justifies him in any course.

 

Arena

Bassuener, Matt

tnttal14 baussuenerCard: TNT AFL Talons 2014
Acquired: IP, 7/2014  San Antonio Talons v. Jacksonville Sharks

Matt is a very well-traveled quarterback. He’s seen action on 4 different continents, including stops with the Seinajoki Crocodiles, Fluminense Imperadores, Gold Coast Stingrays, Upsalla 86ers. A mobile and savvy veteran of gridiron and the Arena leagues, Matt was back on his second stint with the Talons in 2014.  During his tours in the Arena leagues, Bassuener (pronounced: Baw-zing-r) had also played for the Louisville Fire, Amarillo Dusters, and Fairbanks Grizzlies. He got his first crack at the AF1 league in 2011 with the Tulsa Talons throwing for 1,803 yards and 27 touchdowns. A dangerous and crafty scrambler, Matt had 12 TDs rushing that year as well. He’d earn a tryout with the Barnstormers in 2011 before landing with the Gladiators in 2012.

Arriving roughly halfway through the 2014 season, Matt spent most of the time fighting Shane Boyd for the starting job. Allowed to finally lead the team during the final few contests, Bassuener, led the Talons to wins over the LA Kiss and New Orleans Voodoo in the consecutive final two contests. Matt also helped power San Antonio’s highly ranked rushing attack, finishing 4th in the league in rushing with 228 yards on 48 attempts and a TD.  After settling in Matt ended up with 23 TDs to 8 INT while throwing for 1,207 yards on 107 completions.

100MEDIA$IMAG0840Coming to games every week and giving cards to the team’s COO paid off, as he upgraded myself and my wife up to field seats before the game. With a few minutes to decide, I chose to sit at the 30, then moved down just a bit to the 25. A few minutes later a young woman came and sat beside us. After striking up a conversation, we found out the young woman turned out to be Matt’s girlfriend. Occasionally she’d lean over the front and scream at him in Portuguese, cheering him on or yelling at the Sharks’ players. A few minutes later I caught an errant pass from Matt in the stands. It’d be a nice memento to keep of our adventures with the Talons and the Arena league.  After the game I gave Matt his card. He was almost as excited as his girlfriend to get his own football card, and put it up on his Twitter account. He lives in Austin, and continues to train and play as an ambassador to the sport of football.

Of note, Matt was a stunt double for J.D. McCoy from the TV show Friday Night Lights. Over his college time at Georgetown, Bassuener threw for 3,233 yards and 23 touchdowns, while also gaining over 400 yards rushing on a healthy 5 YPC average.