He was a 7th round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 1987.
A big hitter with tremendous speed, Gene also handled kick returning duties averaging 21.2 yards per return (71 returns) over his career with the Saints.
Played Strong Safety and was a solid find for NO, posting 3 interceptions his rookie season and 4 in 1988.
Converted to Free Safety in 1990, replacing Dave Waymer in the lineup, posting 5 forced fumbles.
Best season arguably came in 1991 when Gene recorded 5 interceptions for a league leading 198 yards, along with 4 forced fumbles, and 75 tackles.
Signed with the Dolphins in 1994, finishing his career there after 1997.
SKybox 1992, #258Action Packed 1991, #172
ACCOLADES:
All Rookie Team 1987
NOTES:
Gene’s son, Geno played DT most notably for the Bengals. It is said that Gene suffers from early onset dementia due to concussions sustained from playing football. A fairly rare signer, I felt very fortunate to get Gene’s autograph.
I felt like Gene should’ve gotten a Pro Bowl nod for his titanic 1991 season, but with a logger jam of great safeties out there, he didn’t get in. He had some great cards over the years and also makes an appearance in Tecmo Super Bowl.
Greg Camarillo walked on at Stanford as a punter in 2001, but eventually was able to settle in at WR.
Caught 18 passes in both his Junior and Senior campaigns.
Finished his college career with 45 catches for 599 yards.
Was not selected in the 2005 NFL draft, but picked up as a free agent by the San Diego Chargers.
He’d make the team as a practice squad member and was cut in 2007.
Signed off of waivers by the Miami Dolphins.
Didn’t really see much playing time until late in the 2007 season.
Blew up on the Baltimore Ravens catching 3 passes for 103 yards and a 64 yard TD, helping the Dolphins secure their only win of the season.
The 64 yard play would be the longest of the year for the hapless Dolphins.
In 2008, saw increased playtime, including an 11 catch 111 yard performance in a win over the Denver Broncos.
Joined the Vikings in 2010 playing for Minnesota through 2011.
Finished career in 2012 with the New Orleans Saints.
NOTES:
I loved these action shots of Greg, and being that they were also some set needs it made sense to get his autograph on them. He’s got a pretty solid autograph. I love the loops in the G and C. Greg is both Mexican American and of Jewish heritage.
CARD: Upper Deck College Legends 2011 ACQUIRED: Box Breaker, 2019
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Prince Amukamara was a highly regarded athlete that played CB for the Nebraska Cornhuskers from 2007-10.
With measured speed and leaping skills from his days in track and basketball, he emerged as a lockdown DB in his Junior and Senior years for Nebraska.
He’d be the second DB selected off the board in the 2011 NFL Draft by the New York Giants.
Unable to break into the starting lineup behind Aaron Ross and Corey Webster, Amukamara finished with 14 total tackles, a pick and 3 pass breakups.
He started 11 games in 2012, with 53 total tackles, a pick and 7 pass deflections.
2013 saw a career high 85 total tackles for Prince, 14 pass deflections, and another interception.
Prince had a career high 3 picks in 2014.
After the 2015 season, Amukamara signed a free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, earning nickleback duties.
From there he joined the Chicago Bears in 2017.
In 2018 Prince had his first career NFL TD, to go along with 3 picks on the season.
He played one final year in Chicago in 2019, but was cut in a cost cutting move.
He then spent 2020 on the practice squad of both the Raiders and Cardinals, and the 2021 offseason with the Saints.
Prince is currently considered a free agent.
NOTES:
A devout Christian, I am surprised that he didn’t put an inscription on all his cards. When Prince was drafted it came out pretty early that he was still a virgin. This briefly overshadowed his early playing career news. -He later married in 2014.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
