Chris and I are big Texans fans and from time to time we’ve helped each other out with players. Since he lives there in the area and had worked around the organization, he’s had unprecedented access to the team. He sent me this autograph as thanks for my help over the years.
The Houston Texans inaugural set has become a big set need for me over the years, and as I can nickle and dime into a few of these players, I am so happy to add them to the set of autographs TTM. I took a shot in the dark and was happy to get this card back signed from him.
Jermaine Lewis played WR at Maryland from 1992-’95.
Over his college time with the Terrapins, he amassed 193 receptions for 2932 yards and 21 TDs.
Saw a little bit of time in college as a return man with 22 kr for 529 yards, and 24 pr for 288 yards and 2 TDs.
Drafted in the 5th round of the 1996 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens.
Clocking in at 5’7″, 183 Lewis became well known as an electrifying punt return man.
In 1997, he had 28 punt returns for 437 yards and 2 TDs.
His 15.6 yards per return led the NFL.
He also had a total of 2025 All-Purpose Yards.
In 1998 he had 32 returns for 405 yards and 2 TDs.
He led the NFL in returns in ’99, posting 57 for 452.
During 2000 he had 36 returns for 578 yards and 2 TDs.
His 16.1 yards per punt return led the NFL.
Then he clocked a league leading 42 returns for a league leading 519 yards, and a total of 1,623 All-Purpose Yards in 2001.
Left exposed in the 2002 Houston Texans Expansion Draft he was selected with their 6th pick.
The Texans also used him primarily as a return man.
After a season in H-Town, Jermaine finished his career spending his final two seasons in Jacksonville.
He finished his career with 10,170 All-Purpose Yards and 6 punt return TDs.
ACCOLADES:
All-Pro 1998
Pro Bowl 1998, ’01
NOTES:
I was excited when the Texans selected Jermaine Lewis. The team and myself thought he could be an early electric and dynamic playmaker that Houston could use, but it didn’t work out that way.
I knew it. That promoter from 2021 was flat out lying to me.
All I had to do was wait around for an additional year and wow, there’s Jermaine Lewis doing another signing for the same price. Sent the card in. No questions asked. And boom- done.
Again if he’s still around: Don’t do business with IPO Sports Marketing.
CARDS: Topps XFL 2020, Sage 2015, Panini Prestige 2015 ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o The Washington Commanders SENT: 8/22/22 RECEIVED: 4/1/23 (222 days) FAILURE: TTM 2020, C/o The Washington Football Club
No clue as to why I didn’t get the cards I sent out in 2020 back from Taylor. He was signing at a really good click and I guess that’s the luck of the draw right? I reloaded and waited until a better time- which appeared in 2022. He became sort of a folk hero for the Commanders over the last few years, but the team opted not to resign him after the ’22 season, so he packed his bags and headed out for Atlanta. I figured these cards were lost as well but eventually they made their way back to me.
Taylor has seen stops with the Texans, Panthers and Washington since his time as a rookie in Minnesota. In 2020 he joined the XFL and was widely expected to be a star in the young league, but got beat to the punch by Jordan Ta’Amu. Despite not seeing almost any playing time in the XFL 20, Taylor is considered one of the more ‘famous’ success stories of that league.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
