Tag Archives: philadelphia eagles

NFL

Murray, Eddie

Cards: ProSet 1990 PB, ProSet 1991, Score 1990
Acquired: In Person, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp 1993

One of the rare Canadians who played in the NFL, Eddie Murray graduated from Tulane in 1980 and is most remembered for playing 12 seasons for the Detroit Lions after being drafted in the 7th round. A solidly consistent kicker -during an era of notable kickers, (Pat Leahy, Gary Anderson,Morten Andersen,Norm Johnson, Nick Lowry, etc) Eddie was amongst the best of them named to the ProBowl on numerous occasions and being named MVP of the game in 1981. Named to the NFL All 1980’s team, Eddie finished as 6th all time in scoring before retiring with 1594 points, (but as of 2010 he’s ranked 14th,) and is the highest scoring Canadian born citizen in the NFL record book. He was 238/275 within the 39 yard line and frighteningly effective from 20-29 yards hitting 92 of 98 field goals.

After playing  for the Detroit Lions through 1991, Murray would hop over to the Chiefs and Buccaneers for 1992, then over to the Dallas Cowboys winning a SuperBowl ring in 1993. It was here at training camp I’d get his autograph on 3 separate occasions at camp. He was a really gracious signer and would pretty much sign everything before and after practice. Amazingly after his one year stint with the Cowboys Murray just kept going, playing for the Eagles and Redskins one year a piece through 1995. It was thought he retired in 1996 but was called up by the the Minnesota Vikings where he kicked in 1997, the Cowboys again in 1999 and in 2000 for the Redskins before finally retiring after 21 seasons. He currently lives in relative anonymity in Michigan where in 2010 he was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.

G/Gs 250/250    Xpa 538   Xpm 545   Pct 98.7%     FGA 352    FGM 466      Pct 75.5%    lg N/a

NFL

Byars, Keith

Cards: ProSet 1989, GameDay 1992, ProSet 1990
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o Work
Sent:  1/13     Received: 2/16   (34 days)

Bruising tailback Keith Byars was drafted from Ohio State by the Buddy Ryan regime in Philadelphia after losing out on the Heisman Trophy race to Doug Flutie in 1985. A do all back, Byars was an absolutely devestating receiver out of the backfield and a solid blocker.  His effectiveness was limited by lisfranc injuries and coach Buddy Ryan used this to scare other teams away from him so they could take him with the 10th overall pick of the 1986 draft. Although injured from time to time, Keith never failed to give it his all, rarely running out of bounds to avoid a hit, playing with such offensive weapons Keith Jackson and Randall Cunningham. From time to time Byars would be used to make trick plays, throwing 6 touchdowns in his career. In his final season with the team in 1992, Byars would amazingly line up at runningback, fullback, and tightend in almost an H-Back role.  After 7 solid seasons for the Eagles, Byars would sign with the Dolphins as a free agent in 1993 where he’d make the transition to fullback playing there for over 3 seasons. Keith would then sign with the Patriots playing for two seasons and making his only SuperBowl appearance there before one season with the Jets in 1998. After football Keith has been involved with broadcasting and enjoys coaching high school football in Boca Raton, Florida.

G/Gs 189/161     Rush 865      Yds  3109        Avg 3.6      Td 23      Lg 77     |
Rec 610     Yds 5661        Avg 9.3         Td 31      Lg 60

NFL

Cornish IV, Frank (1968-2008)

Card: ProSet 1990
Acquired: In Person 1992, Dallas Cowboys training camp

Following an outstanding career at UCLA, the Chargers in the 1990 draft took Frank Cornish in the 6th round. A well rounded blocker and great locker room presence, Cornish would play with the Chargers through the 1991 season, before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 1992. I had literally heard he was traded and remembered that I had a card of him and just stuffed it into my assortment. From what I remember he was there the next day. Cornish would then block for Cowboys runningback Emmitt Smith over the next season or two providing valuable depth for two seasons earning rings in SuperBowl XXVII and XXVIII. Frank would then head over to the Minnesota Vikings for 7 games after being relased in 1994 and then would then sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars during their innaugural season and play in 3 games in 1995, -finally finishing with the Eagles in 2 final games in 1996 before retiring. He’d appear in a grand total of 69 regular season games.

In his post NFL career Cornish had become a stockbroker working for Wachovia Securities in Southlake, Tx and was involved in numerous charities. Frank had some financial issues after his playing career ended, but still managed to persevere through it all.  Sadly and suddenly on August 22 of 2008, Frank passed away in his sleep of heart disease at the age of 40. He is survived by his wife and 5 children and the city dedicated a park to his honor at Town Square.