CARD: UT Upper Deck 2011 HACK ACQUIRED: TTM 2025, C/o Home SENT: 10/17 RECEIVED: 11/10 (24 DAYS)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Aaron Humphrey played DL/LB for the Texas Longhorns from 1996-’99.
Led the Big-12 in sacks in both his junior and senior campaigns.
Over his playing career he started 45 of 48 games, posted 330 career tackles, and 10 forced fumbles.
Finished second on UT’s all-time tackles for loss list with 50, and 8th in sacks with 24.
In perhaps his finest moment for the Burnt Orange playing the season opener against Rutgers in 1997, Aaron dropped back and picked off THREE passes (almost 4) against the Scarlet Knights.
After going undrafted he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2000, but did not make the squad.
Played for the Chicago Enforcers of the XFL 2001.
Used all over the field at ILB and DE that season, Humphrey posted 53 total tackles and 3 sacks.
Once the league folded, he was signed by the New York Jets, but was released before the season.
Signed by the Rhein Fire of the NFLE in 2002.
Posted 27 total tackles, 1 forced fumble and 5 pass deflections.
Signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars after his stint in the NFLE, Aaron was on and off the practice squad.
Spent his final three years back in Austin, as a member of the Arena Football League’s Austin Wranglers from 2004-’06.
Tallied 48 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, 5 pass blocks, 8 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and a 6 yard interception for a TD.
Also saw time as a willing receiver, posting 5 receptions for 47 yards and 2 TDs.
ACCOLADES:
Texas MVP and Defensive Player of the Year 1999
NOTES:
Aaron was one of the players that when I got the UT Upper Deck 2011 set I was surprised that he wasn’t included. I thought based on his unique football journey and accomplishments that he’d be a shoe in for it.
That being said the opening allowed for me to slip in with a custom card for him taking down Josh Heupel. The card itself came out perfectly and I was very pleased with the results.
I tracked down Aaron through Facebook surprisingly quick and he responded to me in no time flat. He was very excited to have his own card and to share it with his kids.
Knowing that I was a big fan and also of the Austin Wranglers, he also sent me a signed jersey from his days with the team!
Here is the jersey Aaron said he was going to send me. 🙂
Kendrick Starling played WR at Navarro JC in 1999 and 2000.
He caught 111 passes for 2305 yards and 26 TDs.
Joined Marshall University for 2001, and later transferred for San Jose State in 2002.
Kendrick Starling played for the Spartans for two years.
In 23 games he had 77 receptions for 899 yards and 5 TDs.
He also led the conference in yards per return on kick returns, averaging 28.1 yards on 20 returns, netting 562 yards.
Undrafted in 2004, he’d sign with the Houston Texans.
He made the squad that year, used primarily on special teams seeing action in 8 contests.
In 2005 Starling hopped around practice squads, leaving the Texans for Seattle, and later in the season for New Orleans.
Rejoined the Texans in 2006 and was allocated to NFL Europa to play for the Rhein Fire.
A long bomb threat, Kendrick caught 13 passes for 320 yards and 3 TDs, and lead the league with 24.6 yards per reception.
After being waived by the Texans after camp in 2006, Starling signed with the Eskimos the following year in 2007.
He’d catch 2 passes for 18 yards for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats that season in 3 contests.
In 2025, Starling was sentenced to 25 years in prison for abuse of a child.
NOTES:
The Texans during this period were always looking for a long bomb solution to groom next to Andre Johnson. Someone who could also be a special teams kick or punt returner as well. Starling fit that bill and I remember really hoping he’d pan out. He was considered a deep sleeper entering the draft. He quickly developed into a guy you could cheer for, with a fun personality, style, but a humble willingness to learn. Unfortunately things did not work out for him.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
