Tag Archives: star pics 1991

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.

NFL

Lewis, Darren ‘Tank’

Cards: Star Pics 1991, Action Packed Rookies 1991
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 7/3 Received: 11/25 (145 days)

Darren Lewis was a star tailback for the Texas A&M Aggies. In 1988 he set the school mark with 1692 yards on 306 carries (7 TDs), and then in 1990 miss breaking that mark by just 1 yard. Darren’s 1691 yards and 18 TDs were enough though to help earn him the SWC Player of the Year Honor. He’d cumulatively break the 5k barrier, (5,012 yards) which ranked 5th all time collegiality. Darren also set the school mark for most career TDs with 45. All in all Lewis set 25 school records at A&M.

It’s hard to say how Darren’s career would have ended up if things played out differently, and it’s hard to avoid the elephant in the room when thinking about his career in retrospect- as it was marred by drugs. When I try to write about players, I try to avoid talking about their personal problems, but in this case, it completely derailed Lewis’ future career and earnings. There is no way to avoid it.

-Expected to go early in the 1991 draft, his stock plummeted after he tested positive for cocaine at the combine.

Darren’s stock slid precipitously until he was selected by the Chicago Bears in the 6th round of the NFL Draft. To make matters worse- Bears executives admitted that they thought it was somebody else who they thought tested positive for drugs, and in a last second backpedal, considered not even inviting Darren to minicamp- even though Lewis was already checked into drug rehab.

Darren saw sparing action in 1991 running for just 36 yards behind Neal Anderson. 1992 proved to be the high-water mark in Darren’s NFL career, starting the last 4 games of the season, averaging 22.2 yards on 23 kickoffs, and rushing 90 times for 382 yards and 4 TDs. He also added 18 receptions for 175 yards as well for a grand total of 557 yards from scrimmage.

After a frustratingly slow start to Darren’s 1993 season under new head coach Dave Wannstedt, Darren was arrested for domestic dispute. The team had enough, and after 33 NFL games, Darren’s time with Chicago came to a thudding close. He had a tryout for the Cardinals but opted to return home to Dallas and retired.

Darren has struggled continued to struggle with his demons. He lost a lot of things along the way including his wife and house. Currently Darren is serving a 27 year sentence after pleading guilty to three counts of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

I sent to a home address that I had for Darren, and after about 3-4 months I got a response back. The postmark was from Shreveport- where I’d assume he’s being housed in federal prison.

G/GSRUSHYDSAVGTDLG
33/61124313.8433
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222019.1030
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2552421.0197T
NFL

Campbell, Jesse

pset91 jcampbell stpi91 jcampbell aprks91 jcampbell sco91 jcampbell
Cards: ProSet 1991, StarPics 1991, Action Packed Rookies 1991, Score 1991.
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Work
Sent:  7/30  Received: 10/10    (72 days)

A second round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles out of NC State, Jesse Campbell was a 3 year starter and 1st Team All ACC Member for the Wolfpack, notching 7 interceptions, 187 tackles, and 5 sacks over his career.  A fearsome hitter, Campbell also forced an impressive 15 fumbles punishing receivers and runners alike with a linebacker’s abandon.   He’d sustain a knee cartilage injury before making it to the regular season and spend his first season on IR.

In 1992 the Eagles were going in a new direction under head coach Rich Kotite and defensive coordinator Bud Carson. While Campbell was given ample time to impress in camp, it became a numbers game, and Carson’s defense requires safeties that can cover and places a premium on cornerbacks. Jesse was cut when the Eagles opted to resign corner Eric Allen.  He’d sign with the rival New York Giants and push his way into a starting job by 1994.  Campbell played with the Giants through 1996, before finishing out his career with the Redskins over the next two years, retiring in 1999.

He’s dabbled in coaching and is currently involved in school administration.

G/GS  92/61     TAC  304       SAC 0       FUM 3
INT 7     YDS 28      AVG 4.0    TD 0      LG 14