CARD: Wild Card World League 1992 ACQUIRED: EBay, 2023 FAILURE: TTM 2010, 2011, 2020, C/o The Chiefs
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Willie Davis caught 63 passes for 1292 yards over his college career for Central Arkansas.
He holds the school all-time record for longest reception with a 99 yard TD.
He’d go undrafted in 1990, but be signed to the Chiefs practice squad.
Willie was allocated to the Orlando Thunder of the World League in 1992 by the team to give the young receiver more seasoning.
With future NFL veteran Scott Mitchell at QB, Davis caught 20 passes and a 51 yard TD in his first professional action.
The Chiefs, impressed by what they saw opted to give Willie some playtime in their offense.
Willie became one of the World League’s success stories, catching 36 passes for 756 yards later that year.
His best season perhaps came the following year when he caught 52 passes for 909 yards and 7 TDs.
He played for the Chiefs through 1995.
With Houston Oilers WR Haywood Jeffires demanding more money to stay with the team, the franchise opted to go in another direction and signed Willie Davis to essentially replace him.
Willie played with the Oilers from 1996-98, transitioning with the franchise to Tennessee in 1997.
Willie returned to the Chiefs after a few years away from the sport and joined the team’s front office, where he serves as the team’s front office scout of the southwest.
ACCOLADES:
Central Arkansas Hall of Fame (2001)
NOTES:
I finally gave up on trying to get Willie through the mail after 3 attempts through the Chiefs over the last 12 years. He signed sporadically for others and just didn’t respond to me. Whether or not it was an intentional snub or not or just the fact he may not want to sign his true rookie card, I am not sure. -So I just decided to haggle with an EBay seller who had some World League autographs that looked legitimate enough to me to close the deal.
Homegrown Jon Runyan played right OT and G for the Michigan Wolverines starting a total of 34 contests.
He capped his career for the Wolverines in ’95 earning All-Big 10 honors and a variety of other accolades.
The Houston Oilers selected Jon with in the 4th round of the 1996 NFL Draft.
Jon made the roster and with the team made the transition to Tennessee.
Started first 16 game slate in 1997 at Tackle.
Signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, playing with the franchise through 2008.
Played one final season in San Diego in 2009.
Spent some time dabbling in politics, even serving in Congress.
Can be found sometimes putting around Philadelphia as an Uber driver.
ACCOLADES:
Philadelphia Eagles HoF
Pro Bowl 2002
Second Team All-Pro 1998
Eagles 75th Anniversary Team
NOTES:
Fearsome, nasty, fast, and large, Jon was a true road grading offensive lineman who struck fear into opposing defenders. Considered one of the dirtiest players of his era- he fit right in with the Philadelphia Eagles. Jon was also remarkably durable, despite his 6’8″, 299 frame, he started 190 straight contests. His son followed in his footsteps and was drafted by the Packers in 2020.
At the time of his retirement in 2009, Jon was the last remaining player who had played for the HOUSTON Oilers franchise.
Blaine McElmurry was a hard hitting FS at Montana from 1993-’96.
Went undrafted and was a free agent signee of the then Houston Oilers in 1997.
After not making the squad, played for the Packers that year.
Signed with the Tennessee Oilers in 1998, and finished the year on the roster of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
After playing in ’99 for the Jags, headed over to Europe to play for the Scottish Claymores of the NFLE in 2000.
While playing for the Claymores had 4 interceptions and 12 pass deflections.
In 2002 played for the Amsterdam Admirals.
Signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2002- but didn’t make the squad and subsequently retired.
As of 2022, is a home builder in Montana.
ACCOLADES:
2000 All-NFLE
2022 Montana Football Hall of Fame
NOTES:
I’m interested in understanding a bit better as to why Blaine kept signing with the Oilers/Titans. Great card. Looked like quite the intimidator back in the day.
NFL
TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
18
0.0
1
1
26
26.0
0
26
NFLE
TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
87
0.0
1
4
89
22.3
0
52
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