Tag Archives: star pics 1991

NFL

Mills, Ernie

Pacific 1991, #538

CARDS: Star Pics 1991, Action Packed Rookies 1991, Score Supplemental 1991, Pacific 1991, Pro Set 1991
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home. TTM 2016, C/o Home.
SENT: 4/22/21 RECEIVED: 1/19/22 (272 days)
SENT: 10/7/17 RECEIVED: 9/17/22 (1806 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Ernie Mills played WR for the Florida Gators from 1987-90.
  • Posted 81 receptions for 1585 yards, a whopping 19.6 yards per reception, and 15 TDs over 4 years in Gainesville.
  • Best year for the Gators came in his Senior year, when he had 41 receptions for 770 yards and 10 TDs.
  • Originally started as a DB but quickly transitioned to WR, hauling in his first career reception of 49 yards from Florida QB legend Kerwin Bell.
  • Selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 3rd round of the 1991 NFL Draft.
  • Mills spent his time on special teams and started two games at WR his rookie year.
  • He’d finish first in special teams tackles, and scored his first TD on a punt that hit the opposing team’s blocking back. (See Eugene Lockhart)
  • But things never really materialized for Ernie in Pittsburgh, who had a nascent passing attack, and he was battling for a roster spot with other fresh WRs, Chris Calloway and Jeff Graham.
  • He had his best season in Pittsburgh in 1995, catching 39 passes for 679 yards and 8 TDs.
  • It was a titanic year actually for Ernie as he quietly put up 2,024 all-purpose yards, including 1,304 on kick returns.
  • He’d be injured during Super Bowl XXX, tearing his ACL and being lost for most of the following 1996 campaign.
  • In 1997, Ernie signed with the Carolina Panthers and played one season for them.
  • The final two years of his career were spent in Dallas, as a key roleplayer for the Dallas Cowboys under head coach Chan Gailey, whom he’d played for previously in Pittsbugh.
  • Mills was oft injured, but still managed to post solid numbers as a reliable #3 option behind Michael Irvin and Rocket Ismail.
  • After a brief hiatus from the sport, Mills was spotted at Jacksonville University coaching WRs with his former college QB Kerwin Bell, holding the position from 2007-2012.
  • Then he coached WRs at Florida A&M from 2013-2015.
Star Pics 1991, #66
Action Packed Rookies 1991, #58

NOTES:

Well, there’s Ernie Mills, with an incredibly long orbital trajectory. I had given up on Ernie basically on two separate occasions, but after noticing a few successes, I figured the one for 2021 was in the works to return to me. After some patient waiting, it indeed finally came through, and I added the Action Packed Rookies 1991 card finally to my collection.

Ernie frustrated me as he tended to sign in spurts, sometimes responding to people immediately, while on other occasions-such as mine, languished in wait. I was pretty happy to get the entry sent out in 2021 back early in 2022, but lo and behold, some 8 months after that, the original entry I sent from 2017, also arrived, rocketing up the longest wait charts officially to #5, at a cool 1806 days.

I don’t talk about Pacific 1991 enough right? To me the set was a bold design choice, but quite laughable. For some reason, it just stood out as being… simplistic, with the gradient and the 1970s style typeface. The back was again bold, but a bit wild, as the entire canvas of information was set at a 45 degree angle! I thought that the photo on this Pacific card really nailed it, so I thought it’d make a nice card to get autographed.

With these cards, I can firmly close the door on Ernie. I love his autograph. Well worth the wait and very original. A strong ‘E’, ‘M’, and ‘S’ punctuate his unique signature with great stroke, pen pressure, and placement.

Score Supplemental 1991, #56T
Pro Set 1991, #802
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196293415.02062
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80181822.7057
NFL

Bunch, Jarrod

Action Packed Rookies 1991, #11

CARDS: Pro Set 1991, Action Packed Rookies 1991, Star Pics 1991
ACQUIRED: TTM 2020, C/o Home*
SENT: 7/13 RECEIVED: 7/28 (15 days)
* Fee enclosed

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played FB for Michigan, rushing for 1346 yards on 311 carries, scoring 8 TDs, while catching 30 passes.
  • At 6’2″, 250, 4.5 40- was considered one of the strongest, biggest, and fastest fullbacks to enter the NFL Draft in 1991.
  • Selected at #27 overall by the New York Giants, who were looking to go younger in a rapidly aging backfield, and wanting to add a compliment to RB Rodney Hampton.
  • Saw extremely limited action rookie season, contributing 6 tackles and a blocked punt on special teams.
  • Had best season as a pro rushing for over 500 yards in 1992, while blocking for Hampton who had over 1,000.
  • Yards per carry was 3rd among runners (4.8) with 500 yards or more that season.
  • Injuries and a focus more on an H-back offense, resulted in decreased playing time in 1993.
  • Missed most of camp in 1994, and pulled a hamstring shortly thereafter, prompting release.
  • Signed by Raiders as an injury replacement for Napoleon McCallum playing in 3 games. 
  • Retired in 1995 and has continued to stay active in coaching, martial arts, and acting.
Pro Set 1991, #756
Star Pics 1991, #59

NOTES:

With a few cards that I wanted to get signed, I found Jarrod through Facebook who signs for a nominal fee.

RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
1386294.6537
RECYDSAVGTDLG
261566.0215

NFL

McRae, Charles

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1991, Star Pics 1991
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 3/23/19 Received: 8/13/19 (143 days)

Charles McRae played college ball at Tennessee from 1987-1990. For the first two years with the Volunteers, he played defensive line. McRae then joined the offensive line for 1989 and 1990 playing tackle. In his final year at Tennessee he earned Offensive Lineman of the Year Awards from NFL Draft Report- singled out for his outstanding blocking both against the run and pass. Charles also stood out (6’7″) on special teams blocking 5 kicks over his time at Knoxville.

He’d be selected in the first round (8th overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The problem is the Bucs already had a left tackle in All Pro Paul Gruber– so Charles was moved to right tackle playing in all 16 games and starting 4 his rookie year. He’d play his first full 16 game slate in 1992. In 1994, Tampa shifted Charles to left guard for a season, starting 10 games. After the 1995 season, he spent one nondescript season on the Raiders before retiring.

After earning his Masters’ at Tennessee, Charles has spent his time as an executive in the medical field specializing in radiology.

I really like the presentation of his Action Packed Rookies card in what was definitely a set need. I threw these cards up with a hope and a prayer they’d come back. Charles was kind enough to sign these classic cards of his.