Tag Archives: philadelphia eagles

NFL

Turner, Kevin (1969-2016)

Card: Star Pics 1992
Acquired: In Person, 1995. Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp

Fullback Kevin Turner while at Alabama would block for not only for 1000 yard back Bobby Humphrey but also Alabama great Siran Stacy. Drafted by the New England Patriots in the 3rd round of the 1992 draft, Kevin Turner was the prototypical fullback. In his career in New England, Turner on occasion spurred big plays and rightfully became a fan favorite. In 1993 he lateraled a ball to teammate Leonard Russell that Russell would take 72 yards to paydirt, and later in that season Kevin rumbled 49 yards to set up the winning score versus the Browns. In 1994, Kevin caught the game winning pass in overtime against the Minnesota Vikings which spurred the Patriots on a 7 game winning streak to make the playoffs. He’d play for the Patriots for 3 seasons before joining the Philadelphia Eagles as a restricted free agent. Turner became a fan favorite for the Eagles as well- due in part to his blue collar attitude and efficiency. A hard nosed blocker and occasional receiver out of the backfield he’d play with the Eagles an additional 5 seasons before retiring after his 8th season due to cervical stenosis (narrowing of the spinal column,) and the crippling injuries he had suffered earlier in his career.

Since his retirement, Turner has had multiple surgeries to remove parts of his spinal column,  and tragically in 2010 Turner was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease which is rumored to be linked to concussions. The NFL has attempted to take a more assertive approach to concussions but still lags behind in its treatment and veteran assistance.

Games  58      Att  160   Yds 635    Avg 4.0     Td  1     Lg  45
Rec 236      Yds 2015      Avg  8.5      Td 10     Lg 41

UPDATE 3/24/16: Kevin passed away today in hospice care, surrounded and loved by his family and friends. The cause of his death was Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

NFL

Joyner, Seth

Card: Action Packed 1992
Acquired: In Person, Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp 1993, West Chester, PA.

I got Seth’s autograph on my trip to Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp back in 1993 at West Chester, PA.

A dominant linebacker who could enforce the run as well as play the pass, Seth Joyner was drafted in the 8th round of the 1986 draft and played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos over a 13 year career.  A three time Pro Bowl selection (1991,93, and 94) he was also runner up for the AP NFL defensive player of the year in 1991, and the SI NFL player of the year that same year. After winning Superbowl XXXIII with the Denver Broncos he retired as a member of 20/20 club. A rare breed of linebacker that has at least 20 picks and 20 sacks in their career. (Rickey Jackson, a member of this club was just inducted into the HoF in 2010.) Since retiring to Arizona Seth has become an avid golfer and does NFL analysis work for a variety of networks on the radio and on TV and continues to be beloved by the Eagles’ faithful.

NFL, ufl

Moats, Ryan

Card: Playoff Prestige 2005
Acquired: Texans Blitz 2009
See Also: Ryan Moats (2)

I bleed Houston football colors, whether it is the Oilers or Texans, so when I go to an art school it’s desperate times to find other fellow football fans, little less Texans. Teacher assisting Digital Design at school during the fall of last year, it came as quite a surprise to not only find 2 fans in the class, but one of them was related to a player on the Texans. When he asked me if I knew who his brother was, I immediately rambled off nearly his whole draft card. Over the next few months I pulled the student through the class and in appreciation for what I did, he had his brother send me an autographed ball and some equipment. My friendship with the student would grow, and he and I would watch all the Texans games on TV. His brother in appreciation for being such a big fan got about 60 cards for me signed. He told me it was no big deal, (because all the players harassed each other when I didn’t have their card), and he’d do it again but I’d have to provide him with every player’s card. Later we’d even sit down and watch the playoffs where the player painstakingly answered all my NFL questions.

Ryan Moats was originally drafted by Philadelphia Eagles in the 3rd round of the 2005 draft.  In his 5 years since, Moats has been a reliable RB presence, but has always found himself in a numbers game, playing for the Eagles, Cardinals, Texans and Vikings. In his best pro game to date, (2009) Moats came off the bench against Buffalo and had 126 yards on 26 carries and 3 touchdowns. Moats was signed by the Vikings in 2010 where he was reunited with former coach Brad Childress from Philadelphia in Minnesota. Unfortunately caught in a numbers game he’d be released by the Vikings during final cuts.