Tag Archives: toronto argonauts

CFL, NFL, NFLE

Birmingham, Decori

CARD: VGF German NFLE 2007
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home
SENT: 2/12/21 RECEIVED: 3/1/21 (22 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • WR/ RB DeCori Birmingham played college ball at Arkansas from 2001-2004.
  • He ran 223 times for 1,151 yards and 7 TDs, and caught 57 passes for 592 yards and 6 TDs over his college career.
  • Reliable in the return game as well, DeCori had 61 kick returns for 1321 yards and 52 punt returns for 546 yards.
  • DeCori saw camp/ PS action with the Patriots and Jets in 2005, the ‘9ers in 2006, and the Giants in ’06 and ’07.
  • In 2007 DeCori played for the Frankfurt Galaxy of the NFLE.
  • He’d run 43 times for 134 yards, and catch 15 passes for 101 yards that season before injury ended his season after 5 games.
  • Then he returned stateside for camp and practice squad action with the Colts in 2007, and the Panthers from 2007-’09.
  • He’d wrap up his playing career on the off-season roster of the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL in 2010.
  • DeCori pursued a career in law enforcement and as of 2025 has become a decorated member of Texas DPS Enforcement.

NOTES:

DeCori is most famously known by Razorback faithful for catching the TD pass from Matt Jones with seconds to play, to upset the 18th ranked LSU Tigers in what is known as the Miracle on Markham.

Great card. Great autograph from DeCori. A fun, deep cut player.

NFL, ufl

Parker, Samie

CARDS: Topps 2004, Score 2007, TNT UFL 2011
ACQUIRED: TTM 2025, C/o Work
SENT: 8/25 RECEIVED: 9/29 (35 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Samie Parker played college ball at Oregon from 2000-’03.
  • His yards and catches increased in every year with the Ducks.
  • In 2003 Parker posted 77 receptions for 1088 yards and 7 TDs.
  • 105th overall selection (4th round) of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
  • Played from 2004-’07 for the Chiefs.
  • Best season came in ’06 when Samie caught 41 passes for 561 yards and a TD.
  • Was signed by the Broncos in 2008 but was cut before the season began.
  • Over the next year was on and off the rosters of the Panthers, Seahawks and Raiders.
  • Signed with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the UFL in 2009.
  • He caught 10 passes for 124 yards and a TD.
  • In 2010 he played for the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League.
  • Caught 78 passes for 1,135 yards and 11 TDs.
  • Rejoined the Locos in 2010 and caught 22 passes for 283 yards and a 68 yard TD.
  • Signed with the Argos in 2012 but was released a few months later.
  • Has gone into coaching at the college level, and as of 2025 is coaching WR at Delaware State.

NOTES:

Samie hadn’t signed in a while so I took a shot in the dark at his workplace. I like his autograph. The ‘S’ in his first name loops into the ‘P’ on his last name. Slick.

CFL, NFL, University of Texas

Williams, Ricky (7) ‘Little Earl’

CARDS: Adrenalyn 2009 Extra, Adrenalyn 2010, Bowman’s Best 2000, Bowman’s Best 2001, Collectors Edge 2000, Donruss Classic 2004, Donruss Classic 2006, Donruss Elite 2004, Donruss Elite 2009 Chain Reaction Black, Fleer Showcase 2003, Leaf 2000, Panini Phoenix 2018 Adrenalin, Panini Classics 2016 Monday Night Moves, Playoff Contenders 2003, Donruss Gridiron Gear 2009, Panini Threads 2009, Panini Ultra 2016, Panini Vanguard 2000, Playoff Prestige 2004, Playoff Signatures 2002, Playoff 2006, Score 2001, Skybox Dominion 2000, SP 2001, SPx 2004 Winning Materials, SPx 2003, Topps Heritage 2003, Upper Deck 2000 Piece of History, Upper Deck 2001 Vintage, SPx 1999 Authentic, Upper Deck 2000 Ionix, Upper Deck 2002 MVP
ACQUIRED: IP, 2025

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

Well after a long wait, Ricky appeared again in… 2023- but I missed him. I didn’t realize he showed up early- and pretty much was leaving as I came in, again putting my cards on hold. I kicked myself over it, but really, is that what it’s about?

Fast forward to 2025. I finally got a last second notification of an event he was appearing at, and I was not going to miss it. He was promoting a mocktail and they were giving away samples at an HEB, so I packed my stuff, sent out the notifications to all the friends who would be interested and went.

Mark G contacted me and had me stop by his house. I picked up his cards along the way and met him there. I was the first person in line and Ricky was pretty happy to see me. We talked for a bit and caught up. When the gatekeeper came over and asked me to move along after 10 or so autographs, Ricky said, “It’s no big deal. I’m not going anywhere.” I got back into line and went through multiple times- and we just kept chatting. I ended up giving him one of my trading cards with my contact information, and told him if he just wanted to hang out to HMU.

In total Ricky signed 65 cards for me. The lines were not long and by the time I got to him for the 4th or 5th time, there was almost nobody in line. Now… You’re looking at this and saying, “Wait a minute… There’s not 60 cards here!” -That’s true. I cleared out ALL the favors and SHiLs I had over the years, and gave away almost half of them to members of my Facebook group.

I’ve always said to share the wealth, but the best gift you can get- is one that you do not expect. Thanks again Ricky! I’m reloading already!