Tag Archives: TCU

Townsend, Greg (2)



Cards: Fleer 1990, SkyBox 1992, Pacific 1992
Acquired: In Person 2011, @ “Raider Image” 8/27 (signing fee)
Previous Posting:  http://n8d.flywheelsites.com/2010/townsend-greg/

Thanks to my autograph colleague Edgar over at myautographsignings.com for the tip on this one -as I had been really baffled as to the lack of autograph signings locally by players. I found out that Greg was appearing  at the local “Raider Image” in Montebello Mall a few weeks back and I had hoped to have caught him at Ontario instead, but was busy that week with family. On a hot August day we trekked to the mall to see him. Cards and photos with Greg were reasonably priced at 5.00 a piece, so I dropped a 20 and grabbed 3 cards and a photo. I talked to Greg for a bit where he told me that the blocker he had the most trouble with was Lomas Brown (Lions) who with his long wingspan kept him regularly at bay. He comically remarked about that it seemed that many of the best blocking offensive linemen all had the last name Brown.

After talking at lengths with him I offered my remaining cards for him to keep. He glowed when he looked at the cards. He remembered the Upper Deck 1991 Team MVP card specifically- because of what he had to do to get to Chicago Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh who he posthumously suplexed. Townsend also mentioned how he specifically loved the Action Packed cards because of the embossed profile and edges.  I had this photo below in mind to take with Greg. Always great with fans, he was more than happy to accommodate me with a manly arm clasp which really got the crowd going.

Townsend, Greg

Card: Action Packed 1990
Acquired: In person 1992, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp
See also: Greg Townsend (2)

Drafted in the 4th round of the 1983 draft from TCU by the Los Angeles Raiders, Townsend was a shrewd pick by Al Davis.  Greg would go on to play for the team for 11 seasons (and an additional season for the Eagles in 1994) grabbing All Pro honors from 1988-1991. A dominating force from the defensive end position Townsend retired in 1997 with the Raiders as the team’s all time sack leader and is ranked 16th on the NFL sack list (as of 2010). He also is a member of the Superbowl champion XVIII Raiders team from1984 where they beat the Redskins 38-9.

During practice I enjoyed harassing players from the practice field fence. Greg came over to use the porta potty, where I asked him to give me his autograph. He sarcastically responded, “Hey kid! You want that in white or yellow?” We had a good laugh and he told me that he had to get back to practice but to hit him up afterwards as he’d have no problem with that. Good times. Townsend currently works for the silver and black.

G/GS   190/102    TAC n/a        SAC 109.5          FUM 8
INT 3     YDS 117     AVG   39.0     TD 1        LG  86t