Big man-mountain (6’4″, 330), Antone Davis played RT at Tennessee.
He and fellow blocking teammate Charles McRae were considered the best offensive lineman in the 1991 NFL Draft.
A consensus All-American, and runner up for the Outland Trophy, Davis and McRae were selected back to back during the first round of the 1991 NFL Draft.
Needing to address their porous OL, the Eagles traded away two picks to move up and select Antone Davis at #8 overall.
After a holdout, Davis had an extremely bumpy baptism by fire playing for the Eagles his rookie year.
The remainder of the next 4 years were punctuated by penalties and injury.
Following the 1995 season, he was not resigned by the Eagles, and joined the Atlanta Falcons for the 1996 campaign.
Davis saw action primarily as a backup the next two seasons, but was released in early ’98.
He’d then see time briefly on the off-season roster of the Packers in 1999, before retiring.
Action Packed Rookies 1991, #19
NOTES:
Ugh. Poor Antone. I remember him appearing on MNF in 1991. I think it was his first start after an early injury sidelined him for most of the preseason and some of the year. He got absolutely wrekt by the Redskins front 4 on MNF. Holding calls, false starts, constant pressures, and sacks galore. I felt so terrible for Antone. After his career ended, Davis went into the food service industry. He was also a finalist on the show ‘The Biggest Loser’ a few years back. Antone doesn’t sign often so I thought I’d shoot these two set needs out.
Note that his Action Packed Rookies card shows him with #77 and his Gameday has #78. After he signed his rookie contract he changed his jersey number.
Donald Driver played WR at Alcorn State catching 88 receptions for 1993 yards over his college career.
Late 7th round pick of the Green Bay Packers in the 1999 NFL Draft.
Stuck behind Antonio Freeman and Corey Bradford early in his career, but with Bradford’s departure to Houston in 2002, things quickly changed.
He’d start all 16 games in 2002, and go over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career on 70 catches.
After a down year in 2003, Driver went on a very improbable run, going over 1.2K yards the next 3 seasons, and over 1K yards the following 3 seasons after that.
In 2009, Donald became the Packers all-time leading receiver, finishing eventually with 743 catches when he retired following the 2012 season.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 2002, 2006-08, 2010.
Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame
NOTES:
I really wanted Donald’s autograph, but after missing out on him back in 2015, I didn’t really expect to get another shot, so I never reloaded. When he started signing, about the same time of year as he did back in 2015, I just grabbed what I could and sent it out as soon as I could with a small donation to grease the wheels.
That thine alms may be in secret: and. thy Father which seeth in secret. himself shall reward thee openly.
-Matt 6:4
Thatif thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
-Romans 10:9
NOTES:
Purely needing Eugene on a few more set needs, I decided to hit him up again after a few years for them. The Action Packed cards are particularly beautiful.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
