NOTES: After failing on Brock a few years ago, I went ahead and gave him another shot on these two cards. He’s enjoying life living in Arizona with his wife and two kids- that he adores and loves being a part of their lives. Recently he’s fallen back in love with football again, and watches it apparently non stop.
CARDS: Score 2017, Score 2012 Hot Card ACQUIRED: TTM 2019, C/o Work SENT: 3/4 RECEIVED: 4/1 (28 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Played RB for the Oklahoma Sooners from 2007-10.
Shared backfield throughout most of his career with moments of stardom.
Had breakout year in 2010, rushing for 1200+ yards, 594 receiving yards and 20 total TDs.
In 40 college games had 759 carries for 3685 yards and 50 rushing TDs.
Selected in the 3rd round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.
Was 3rd on the depth chart behind Felix Jones and Tashard Choice, but due to injuries, eventually found himself gaining the lion’s share of carries.
Ran for 253 yards against the Rams that year, breaking multiple club records held by Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett.
In first full 16 game season during 2014, ran for a career high 1845 yards, on 392 carries, along with 13 TDs.
Signed with Eagles in 2015, but in a snakebitten season for both Murray and Philadelphia- only ran for 702 yards.
Rejuvenated career in 2016 playing for the Tennessee Titans, rushing for 1287 yards and 9 TDs.
Passed the torch splitting time with rookie Derrick Henry in 2017.
Injured near the end of the season, and retired in early 2018.
Has dabbled in broadcasting, quickly finding a home coaching RBs first at Arizona State and then later at Oklahoma.
ACCOLADES:
NFL Offensive Player of the Year 2014
NFL rushing yards leader 2014
NFL rushing attempts leader 2014
NFL rushing TDs leader 2014
2011 Score Hot Rookies, #11
NOTES:
I got these autographs now… sometime ago. DeMarco always reminded me of my once best friend from college. Murray had his breakout game against the Rams, and that day I was picking my best friend up from the airport. We were close then and her friendship meant the world to me.
Over the next few years, we grew apart. A lot of factors figured into it. Untapped resentment… distance… bowing under pressure from family to cultural superstition… new friends and boyfriends… A lot of things. I sensed we were losing touch. It went from near daily calls, to weekly calls, to monthly calls- to no calls at all. No more Left for Dead. No more Red Trolley Beer.
Our conversations became increasingly about just what was wrong in my life, and if she didn’t get that out of me- I felt like I had to talk about that because she was pressuring me to do so.
I was in a bad place. My father had died and I needed her council. I was under intense pressure all around. I believe that when you are stressed out- the worst of your personality emerges if you don’t keep it in check. The worst of me came to roost. Our last call was awkward. I talked about personal things, but she failed to tell me she had me on speaker phone.
The way the conversation went, I felt like… like it was goodbye- to me, my wife, my daughter, and our friendship. It was painful. I said stupid things. A few months later, she deleted me from Facebook and then later my wife… I guess trying to wipe out those memories as well. I responded to her and she blocked me.
And that was it. That was it. I’ve tried hard not to deal with it, but I fully understand now if she blames me, or sees the ending of our friendship as my fault. Sometimes you pull the band-aid off and sometimes you yank it off.
She’s gotten married and moved on- and I am happy for her. In a way, I held her back. In a way she held me back from being a better husband and father.
I’ve given it my best to move on. Initially it was hard. I was angry and embarrassed. Over time, I’ve decided it best to just leave it alone. There’s nothing to go back to. No reason to fight for anything. Just like a vague, numb understanding- a resigned feeling of gulped blame and responsibility.
It’s helped me move on and let go myself as much as I’d like to reach back out and re-establish contact. It is… what it is.
Richard Sherman when he arrived at Stanford was actually a WR. He in fact caught 81 passes for 1340 yards and 7 TDs over his Freshman and Sophomore campaigns in 2006 and 2007. He’d switch to CB during 2009 and start climbing the depth chart. Sherman posted 113 total tackles and 6 interceptions for 82 yards and a TD. Richard was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the 5th round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Richard again climbed the depth chart and started 10 games his rookie year. He was named to multiple rookie teams at the end of the season. Quickly establishing himself as one of the premier defensive backs in the league, he posted 8 interceptions and 24 pass deflections (league leader) in 2012- earning his first of three consecutive All-Pro Nominations, as a member of the Seahawks secondary, the feared ‘Legion of Boom’. 2013 saw him leading the NFL in interceptions with 8, as 2014 saw him earn his final nod as teams threw away from him with regularity and respect. Richard continued to see Pro Bowl nominations through the 2016 season.
As the Legion began breaking up, Richard saw free agency in 2018. It would come as a stunner to Seahawks fans as he joined the division rival San Fransisco 49ers. He returned to Pro Bowl form in 2019 as Sherman pulled down 3 interceptions for 65 yards and a TD, along with 31 pass deflections.
I wrote Richard sort of on a whim. I had this really nice Panini Contenders card, and I stumbled over the Score card as I was thinking about it. I took it as a sign and went for it, mailing to the 49ers facility. I was very lucky to see a response in a bit under 60 days.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
