Tag Archives: Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Arena, CFL, NFL, University of Texas

Babers, Rod “Black Caesar” (3)

Card: Whataburger AM1300 The Zone, Memorabilia
Acquired: Whataburger Signing 3/12, Texans Draft Party 2012
See Also: Rod Babers, Rod Babers (2)

So I ambushed Rod at a local Whataburger restaurant- that was literally a few miles from me. Being that it was in the boondocks and they just weren’t expecting anybody to show up, having me walk through the door must have humored him and his sound guy greatly as I they are beginning to recognize me when I show up for their events. I printed out a photo I found online of Rod for him to sign. Whataburger also provided him with a card as well (which was nothing compared to my Upper Deck UT doppelganger). I sat around and ate dinner while I talked to Rod and Chuck about sports. It was nice to see the inner workings of how radio works. Rod again was quite flattered by the memorabilia, and also told people on the radio that I was a true fan because I had a James Brown jersey on from not UT- but the Texas Terminators indoor football team.  I am honesty running out of photos of Rod and am hoping to get my paws on one of him in his Tiger-Cats uniform.

Later I got this photo of Rod making the play against Raushaun Woods keeping him from scoring the 2 point conversion and allowing the Longhorns to win the game when he was at the Texans Draft Party that had Danieal Manning and James Casey at it.

Rod’s a very personable fan of fans. I think that’s great, and exactly what 1300 the Zone’s lineup needs. Guys who’ve played who like talking about football, while educating and embracing fans. I’m not so sure of some of the latest additions to the station’s lineup, as I think Rod pushes the boundaries of taste sometimes as it is. Rod is also known by a few names to fans: Kool Aid, and Stonehands, are two of my favorites, but on the radio he frequently is known as Black Caesar. He’s said some things on the radio that have surprised me, from convincing me that as Longhorn fans we should wish anybody- even A&M the best in the SEC, to the idea that Longhorn fans should not be happy with ‘just playing well in a loss’. Currently he’s the host of UT’s Afternoon Buffet on 1300 the Zone.  He also spends his time giving back to the community working with the Neighborhood Longhorn Foundation.

CFL, NFL, University of Texas

Cavil, Kwame

utud11 cavilutud11 cavil ATA

Cards: UT UD 2011, UT UD 2011 All Time Alumni
Acquired: 2/26/13,  IP  Rudy’s Ribfest 2013
See Also: Kwame Cavil (2), Kwame Cavil (3)

Rudy’s in Round Rock was packed for Ribfest ’13, so I was left searching exactly for what Kwame looked like. Thanks to the power the internet, I Googled his face and realized he was sitting at the table next to me while I was standing in line. I quickly pulled out the cards and asked for his autograph and he said, “Absolutely. Do you have the Upper Deck Longhorn cards?” I handed them to him and he penned them right there on the spot.

Kwame Cavil was a Big 12 star for the University of Texas during the heyday of Ricky Williams and Major Applewhite. At 6’3″, 205, Cavil kept teams honest at wide out, setting UT and Big 12 single season records (at the time) with 100 receptions and 1,188 yards, both numbers he posted in 1999. In 30 games Kwame recorded 174 receptions and 2279 yards for the Longhorns. He and Applewhite formed one of the most productive passing/receiving duos in school history. Cavil could’ve probably set more school records but declared after the 1999 season for the draft. After a poor showing at his pro day and the combine, Cavil went undrafted. He signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2000 recording 4 catches for 66 yards.

In 2002, Kwame signed with the CFL Montreal Alouettes playing there through 2005, being named a CFL East All-Star in 2004, and a Grey Cup Champion in 2005. Signing with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2005, he was traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for the 2006 season. The Tiger-cats In turn traded him to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2006. He enjoyed moderate success over his career in the CFL and was embraced by fans for his end zone celebrations. Currently Cavil lives in Central Texas with his family and is an assistant football coach at the High School level.

NFL   G/Gs 16/0   Rec 4    Yds 66    Avg 16.5     Td  0       Lg  39
CFL        Rec   193     Yds  2,328     Avg  12.1   Td 13    Lg 72

 

 

CFL, NFL

Davis, Anthony “A-Train”

Card: Upper Deck Signatures 2005
Acquired: 2012, Target Authentic Autograph Memorabilia

A ‘slasher-back’ with a deceptive burst, Anthony Davis was a sensational runningback in college for Wisconsin. During his Freshman year in 2001, Davis’ 1466 yards ranked only behind Ron Dayne, Tony Dorsett, Herschel Walker, and Alex Smith (Pitt), while his 10 100 yard plus games were an NCAA Freshman record. For an encore in ’02 he had 300 carries for 1555 yards and 13 TDs. His 119.6 YPG was ranked only behind Willis McGahee and Steven Jackson. Already though, nagging ankle and knee injuries began to set in 2003. He would however finish with 116 carries for 682 yards and 7 touchdowns. Again in 2004, Davis missed 5 contests due to a deep thigh bruise and a fractured orbital socket, but he still managed 201 carries for 973 yards and 11 touchdowns. At the time of his graduation, Anthony’s yards and total touchdowns placed him second on the school’s rushing list, only behind Ron Dayne and Billy Marek.

His draft stock was really hurt by injuries. It also didn’t help that Davis had a small frame at 5′ 7″, 205lb- he was considered more of a 3rd down specialist in the league, and the 908 carries didn’t help either (even though he just fumbled once in his career). Still the Colts had him tabbed on their board and liked something about him, grabbing him near the bottom of the 7th round of the 2005 NFL draft. He would make it all the way through training camp- seeing the turk in the final cuts. Despite this, he was signed back to the practice squad later in the season as the Colts were plagued by injuries to their RB corps. He’d jump over to the Canadian Football League in 2006, signing with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL. Davis played 2 seasons for Hamilton, carrying the ball 86 times for 457 yards and a TD. Near the end of 2007, Anthony was traded to the Toronto Argonauts in exchange for Yo Murphy, but was released in 2008.

Anthony’s other passion has always been teaching. He has been sighted at Loras College in Dubuque, IA, where he is currently Director of Inter-Cultural programs for the Hawks.