CARDS: Skybox 1992, Pro Set 1990, Fleer 1992, Gameday 1992, Pacific 1992 ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home SENT: 5/30/23 RECEIVED: 8/23/23 (85 days) FAILURE: TTM 2018, C/o Home
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Michael Young played WR for UCLA from 1983-’84.
He caught 48 passes for 737 yards and 7 TDs with the Bruins.
A 6th round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 1985.
Got caught in a numbers game as his playing time waned with the unretirement of Ron Brown.
Played for the Rams through ’88 catching 35 passes for 421 yards and 4 TDs.
Joined the Broncos in ’89 via Plan B and immediately paid dividends, spotting the Three Amigos.
From 1989-’91 he set career single season highs in receptions.
Caught a career high 4 TDs in 1990.
In the playoffs that year caught a 53 yard pass and a 70 yard TD against the Browns to help Denver reach Super Bowl XXIV.
Started 13 games in 1991 and caught a career high 44 passes for 629 yards (2 TDs).
Played for the Eagles in 1993 catching 14 passes for 186 yards and 2 TDs.
In 1994 dressed for two contests for the Chiefs.
After retirement, made the transition to the front office, serving for the Denver Broncos, and then the Colorado Crush of the Arena Football League and then with the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB).
Skybox 1992, #132Pacific 1992, #86
NOTES:
When I first became a Rams fan, I saw Michael streaking down the field on a few plays. I thought he was going to really be something for them in their already strong WR corps. Then he went off and signed with Denver. I was a bit butt hurt. I knew he’d be clutch when it counted for somebody.
I was miffed that I failed on him back in 2018 considering I lived pretty much right around the corner from him at one point, however I reloaded and gave him another shot a few years later. After pointing out that I was confused because sometimes color men and Wikipedia called him ‘Mike’- he let me know that he indeed goes by Michael. He sent me an NFL Alumni sticker, 2 extra autographs, a nice note, and also his Dodgers business card in his return correspondence. Worth the wait.
Over his college career he intercepted 10 passes for 80 yards.
Undrafted in 1983, he went into coaching.
Worked his way up as a graduate assistant (Iowa) all the way to defensive coordinator (Florida 1996-’98).
Took the reins as head coach at Oklahoma at 1999, and restored to the school as a national powerhouse.
Won the National Championship in 2000.
In all 17 seasons at the helm of Oklahoma, Bob took the Sooners to a bowl game.
He finished with a 191-48 college coaching record.
Retired from college coaching in 2017.
Opted to return to football for the XFL in 2020 as one of their flagship coaches leading the Dallas Renegades.
Returned in 2023, after the league reorganized due to COVID, coaching the now Arlington Renegades.
After a difficult start, Bob pulled off a trade for Luis Perez, and led the 4-6 Renegades to upsets over the Roughnecks and Defenders to win the XFL Championship Game.
Returned to the Renegades for the ’24 season, and while the team was competitive in every game, they ultimately finished with a disappointing 3-7 record.
ACCOLADES:
College Football Hall of Fame
AP Coach of the Year 2000
Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant Award 2000
Walter Camp Coach of the Year 2000, ’03
NOTES:
Stoops is technically a member of the Hayden Fry coaching tree. Stoops himself has a growing resume of young and upcoming coaches who served under him.
I think what sticks out to me the most, other than Bob’s excellent and well practiced autograph adorning this card, was his response to my request.
Recently I’ve been sending out note cards, to ask coaches to draw me up a play. I love collecting plays and getting an idea of their ‘coaching DNA’- y’know what’s on their mind.
I asked Bob to draw me up a play, and his response was simple and succinctly written on the note card:
“NO PLAYS.”
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
