Tag Archives: kevin smith

NFL

Smith, Kevin ‘Pup’ (3)

ProSet 1992, #480
1992 Classic, #50
Topps Finest Refractors, #226
Pro Set POWER 1992, #303

CARDS: Pro Set Power 1992, Topps Finest 1997, Pro Set 1992, Classic 1992 Blister
ACQUIRED: IP 2022, Big Hits & Politics Book Signing

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

On a hunch I packed a few cards of Kevin Smith to Robert Wilson’s book signing for Big Hits & Politics. I had seen Kevin liking Robert’s posts on Twitter and took a shot he’d show up. Robert walked me right up to him and I promptly pulled out some cards for him to sign- much to his surprise. He had a good laugh when I told him I was a regular on those humid days at Dallas Cowboys Training Camp at St. Edwards back in the early ’90s. He was the cherry on top that I’d made the right decision that day to attend as I squared not only Robert Wilson and Richmond Webb away, but also Kevin as well. Well worth the trip.

I mean, there’s probably just a few more cards that I’d like Kevin to sign, including his GameDay 1993, but it’s not a burning need, even though I had his card and found it later after attending the event.

CFL, NFL

Smith, Kevin (RB)

Donruss Rookies & Stars 2009, #34

CARDS: Donruss Rookies & Stars 2009, Score 2009, Panini Prestige 2009, Score 2010
ACQUIRED: TTM 2020, C/o Work
SENT: 10/17 RECEIVED: 11/2 (16 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played RB for the UCF Knights from 2004-07.
  • After redshirt season, ran for 4,679 yards over next 3 years.
  • Senior year ran for a school record 2,567 yards and 29 TDs, along with 242 yards on 24 catches.
  • His 450 carries in his Senior year shattered the previous single season college mark held by Marcus Allen, and his 2,567 yards rushing were third all-time.
  • Selected at the top of the 3rd round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.
  • Had solid debut rookie season with Detroit rushing for 976 yards and 8 rushing TDs in 12 starts- 1,200 yards from scrimmage.
  • Ran for 747 yards on 217 carries in 2009, logging a career high 41 receptions for 415 yards in 2009.
  • Tore ACL near end of season, after 13 starts.
  • Injury sidelined Smith through early 2010, but the Lions had already moved on to Jahvid Best.
  • Lions allowed Smith to test free agency in 2011, but when Best was sidelined with second concussion of season, they resigned Kevin.
  • Smith returned to form with a 140 yard, 2 TD effort, in comeback victory over the Carolina Panthers.
  • Suffered ankle injury the following week and was not retained at end of season.
  • Joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL in 2014, but was released after a few days.
  • Has climbed the college coaching ranks ever since, starting at his Alma Mater UCF in 2015.
  • Then it was Florida Atlantic in 2018, and Ole Miss, where I got his autograph in 2020.
  • As of 2023 Kevin is the RB coach at the University of Miami, FL.
Score 2009, #98
Panini Prestige 2010, #68

NOTES:

Kevin has a lot of great cards, and hit all my favorite sets from this period. His Score and Donruss cards really hit the mark for me. Kevin’s one of those players where if he didn’t see all that wear and tear on his body I think he would’ve gone on to have a fabulous NFL career- but such is the pro life.

Score 2010, #98
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NFL

Smith, Kevin “Pup” (2)

spics92 ksmithsky92 ksmith

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1992, Star Pics 1992, GameDay 1992, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: 2013, Paid Signing via Houston Dallas Cowboys Fan Club
See Also: Kevin Smith “Pup”

gday92 ksmithOccasionally I’ll see a paid signing I want to get in on the ground floor at, and although I had the pleasure of getting Smith on a previous opportunity at Dallas Cowboys Training Camp way, way back in 1992, there were still quite a few cards I had of him that I wanted to grace with his autograph. These 4 cards represent my favorite sets at that time. Action Packed had these embossed edges that really made the cards pop with the strength that symbolized football. Their smaller Rookies set was a no brainer for me since it was easier to collect on the stiff price point of 2.25 per pack that included 5 cards in it. GameDay was just a beautiful set. It pretty much embodied everything I liked but its most outstanding feature was the ‘tall boy’ look that made these cards look like game tickets. Star Pics was a good college card. Unfortunately they over anticipated demand for their product. They were quickly ousted from the market, but their 1992 set was a beauty from its clean white edges to the strong player photos. Skybox on the other hand made a late splash to an already clogged market. With ProSet, Topps, Upper Deck, Fleer, and Score all fighting for a slice of the pie along with these lesser names above, Skybox had carved a niche in the basketball market and set its sights on football. It’s 1992 and subsequent 1992-1993 set were absolute models of beauty and simplicity. The base impact set from 1992 with its bold type gives the card a very poster like feel, while its action photos are some of the clearest in the market from that period. I was really happy to get these 4 signed by Kevin. For the most part I’m pretty much done with the ex-Aggie and Dallas Cowboy, unless there is a free signing there I just happen to be at.

aprks92 ksmithAn inductee of the Museum of the Gulf Coast, Kevin was not only a talented football player, but also a talented athlete playing basketball, baseball, and sprinkling in a bit of track too. During his time at A&M Smith during his Sophomore year intercepted a pass in every home game for the Aggies, including a 40 yard pick of LSU’s Tommy Hodson that Pup returned to the house. He finished that year with 9 interceptions. Kevin was named to the All-SWC team 3 times and played on some of the last great Aggie teams in the SWC before being taken by the Cowboys with their #1 pick of the 1992 draft. Injuries derailed what could have been an impactful career as Smith retired during the 2000 season, but he’s done a lot of things since including a brief stay as a color commentator for the Aggies.