CARD: UT Upper Deck 2011 ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home SENT: 7/6/20 RECEIVED: 7/20/20 (14 days) FAILURE: TTM 2020, C/o Home
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Kiki DeAyala played DE and LB at Texas from 1980 to 1982.
A tweener, DeAyala clocked in at 6’1″, 238.
There he earned All SWC Honors in 1982, racking up an unfathomable single season 22.5 sacks, 56 quarterback pressures and 33 tackles for loss.
He finished his UT career with 40.5 career sacks.
Selected by the Washington Federals (USFL) and the Cincinnatti Bengals (NFL) in their respective 1983 Drafts.
Traded by the Federals to the Gamblers and returned to LB fulltime.
Became the anchor of Houston’s defense in ’83 and posted 1.5 sacks and a pick (no tackle data available).
In 84 had another solid season contributing 102 tackles, 39 assists, 3 sacks, and 4 interceptions.
When the USFL folded, Kiki went to the Bengals.
He saw limited playing time for the team, and retired due to lingering injuries (3 shoulder/ 4 knee) and operations after two seasons.
ACCOLADES:
All USFL 1985
NOTES:
I had tried Kiki at the wrong address: An old address. I think when I looked at it on Google maps it was leveled or no longer existed because of a hurricane. Anyway, I shot this out and got this one back, no problem. Over the years I think Kiki has surprisingly only had a USFL issued card and this UT card made of him.
Card: Topps 1985
Acquired: In Person 1994, Houston Oilers Training Camp
Craig James went to Southern Methodist University back in the 1980s and was the running mate to Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson where they formed the “Pony Express”. He’d be drafted by the Washington Federals of the USFL and play there from 1983-1984 rushing for 823 yards and 4 touchdowns but would be released unceremoniously as the Federals were financially insolvent. Craig would sign with the New England Patriots in 1984, (who drafted him shrewdly in the 8th round in 1983,) where he’d go on to be named offensive player of the year in 1985 going to both the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl that season; However, he’d be dominated by the Chicago Bears holding him to 1 yard on 5 carries. James would earn the nickname in some circles of “The Last Great White Hope” being the last white running back to run for 1000 yards (until that streak was broken in 2010 by Peyton Hillis). James notably played runningback in 1984 and then fullback from 1985 on to his quiet retirement in 1988 due to injuries.
James’ career since football has been just as busy. Despite the dissolution of the SWC that he set conference records in, James’ legacy has grown a substantial amount. He has been able to parlay his personality and playing career into broadcasting where he remains to this day handling college and pro games on the radio and television.
G/Gs 52/33 Att 585 Yds 2469 Td 11 Lg 73t |
Rec 81 Yds 819 Avg 10.1 Td 2 Lg 90t
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
