Jan. 10 Report: Former Dolphins and Colts DB Lyle Blackwood

A quick turnaround from the first new request I made in 2011. Former Miami Dolphions and Baltimore Colts defensive back Lyle Blackwood signed and returned all three cards I sent him. I offered him to keep the duplicate but he graciously sent all back signed and inscribed with different Bible verses.

Most of us know John 3:16, but the other two passages cited were 1 Peter 3:18:

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

and Ephesians 2: 8-9:

⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.

I'm probably one of a very few who take the time to look up the citings, but I think they tell you a lot about the person.

250: the number of different autographs I've gotten since starting this blog in January 2010

Dec. 23 report: Former NFL Kicker and Golf Nut Al Del Greco

This turned out to be the final addition to my autograph collection in 2010. I was unable to send out many requests throughout the later half of the year, so I came up a bit short of my goal of having 365 new ones by the end of the year.

In all I tallied 248, which I am thrilled about.

I guess it is fitting that the final autograph is on a golf ball. Just so happens it is the signature of Al Del Greco, who made his name as being am excellent placekicker in the NFL for the Packers, Cardinals and Oilers/Titans.

He's a regular on the Celebrity Golf Tour and he is also a high school golf coach in Alabama.

Day of the Year: 353
Number of Autographs This Year: 248

October 25 Report: Former No. 1 NFL Pick Jeff George

Well sadly it has been a month since I've been able to post a success in this autograph space. Sad, but not unexpected, however as some setbacks have kept me from being able to buy postage at the same rate I was earlier in the year.

We'll see if November allows me to make a late-season push.

In the meantime I received a nice 1990 Fleer card signed by former No. 1 pick Jeff George. George took the time to sign it and inscribe it exactly as I asked, which was terrific.

The down side is he also personalized it. Not that I mind personalized autographs at all, I just wish I knew who Rick was. It's definitely not me!!


Day of the Year: 294
Number of Autographs This Year: 243

Sept. 23 Report: Former Chicago Bears Kicker Bob Thomas

Nearly 200 days ago (194 to be exact) I sent a a few cards off to former Chicago Bears kicker Bob Thomas to get signed. This has turned out to be my longest wait to date on this project, but I am happy to report a triple success.

Thomas, a former Notre Dame player, went on to become the 388th pick in the 1974 NFL Draft. Though he was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, Thomas never played a game for the West Coast team.

He is primarily know for his career with the Bears (1975-84). He also suited up for the Detroit Lions, San Diego Chargers and New York Giants.

One of the col things in researching players I used to watch in my youth is finding out what they are up to today. Thomas is a justice for the Supreme Court of Illinois. Pretty cool to establish such a prestigious career after enjoying a lengthy and successful NFL career.

Returning to the autographs, Thomas signed all three cards I send to him, despite me asking him to keep the duplicate. In addition to signing the cards he also added the inscription "Romans 5:8".

Day of the Year: 264
Number of Autographs This Year: 242

Former Houston Oilers Tight End Mike Barber

Growing up on football in the 1970s and 1980s, it was hard not to be amazed by the talents of Earl Campbell. The Tyler Rose seemed, at times, unstoppable. I remember always looking up the agate in Monday's paper to see how he had done -- wow has the Internet changed that.

Well it was hard not to get wrapped up in the rest of the Houston Oilers, too. So it is today's addition to the collection that is bringing a lot of those memories back.

Mike Barber was a tight end on the Oilers teams from 1976-1981. He also spent several years with the Los Angeles Rams (1981-85) and Denver Broncos (1985), but is it with those Oilers that I will always link him.

He caught 222 passes in his career, good for 2,788 yards and 17 TDs.

Day of the Year: 209
Number of Autographs This Year: 234

Former New Orleans Saints Running Back Dalton Hilliard

Well this week is starting off with a success, which is a welcome sign considering the sluggish pace of late.

I'm quite happy to add the signature of Dalton Hilliard to my collection.

I first saw Dalton Hilliard play in the 1980s when he was a star at LSU. It was no surprise to me that Hilliard has a 1,200-plus yard season in 1989. He also made the Pro Bowl.

Sadly injuries cut short the career of a terrific SEC talent. He finished his NFL career with 4,164 yards and 53 TDs.

Day of the Year: 192
Number of Autographs This Year: 225

July 1 Report: Former Chicago Bears Player Revie Sorey

Apologies for the brevity of the last three posts, but I had a quick out-of-towner thrown on me at short notice I had to tend to.

So I'm back but trying to play catch-up on a lot of things, including this blog. Which is a good thing because it means autographs are still being acquired.

Today's addition comes from another of those NFL payers from the 1970s and 1980s which is so dear to me. Revie Sorey, an All-Pro guard for the Chicago Bears (1975-83), signed a pair of football cards to go into the collection.

Before playing with the Bears Sorey competed at Illinois collegiately.

Day of the Year: 181
Number of Autographs This Year: 223

June 21 Report: Former University of Georgia Bulldogs Star and Dallas Cowboys RB Herschel Walker

Herschel Walker is one of those rare athletes you see growing up who change your perspective at what a terrific is exactly.

I first saw Walker play in college when he was at the University of Georgia. He was busy running wild over my beloved University of Florida Gators. I hated him then for what he did to UF, but you instantly knew you were watching a tremendous talent. One that changed how the game as played.

Walker, of course, went on to a fine career in the USFL before settling in the NFL after perhaps his best days were behind him.

Still he scored 60-plus TDS, including a number when he played on some very bad Dallas teams.

One thing is for sure I will never forget the first time I saw him play in person at UGa. Those are the memories I will cherish forever.

By the way, Walker has a very nice signature, and the fine-tip blue Sharpie looks great on this card.


Day of the Year: 171
Number of Autographs This Year: 218

June 15 Report, Part 2: Football Hall of Famer Andy Robustelli

So when I updated this blog earlier this afternoon with my tidbit on PGA Tour winner Chris Perry and his baseball lineage, I thought I was done for the day.

Needless to say that was way off base -- primarily because I did not count on the UPS man delivering me a package this evening. Boy was this a huge surprise as I had no idea who sent it or what it was.

I'll try to make the story somewhat short.

Ten days ago I wrote a letter to the great Andy Robustelli, Pro Football Hall of Fame member. My letter essentially included a card I hoped he would sign, but more important to me was I was hoping to get a story from him about an old Chicago Bear he played against named Willie Galimore.

I told Mr. Robustelli I had been reading everything I could on football from that era -- my bookshelf can attest to my words -- and I was wondering if he had any other stories on Galimore.

Well this UPS package came from Robustelli on his own dime. In it was a first edition copy of his book, which was inscribed and signed to me. I was blown away that he would take the time to do this.

But it gets better. Inside the book were a pair of signed football cards and my return envelope, stamped but unused.

And there's more.

He also included a pair of autographed 4x6 Hall of Fame signature cards.

So five different autographs from one of the guys who is responsible for making the game what it is today.

Needless to say I can't wait to read his book and see if he has some Galimore stories in the book.

I'll be sending a note back to Mr. Robustelli telling him how much his efforts mean to me. I also plan on sending him some cash to cover his expense in shipping the package to me.

This guy has more than class than most locker rooms hold today. I'm definitely a fan for life.

Day of the Year: 166
Number of Autographs This Year: 214

June 14 Report: PGA Tour Star K.J. Choi and Former Rams Quarterack Pat Haden

The addition to the autograph collection today comes from a present-day PGA Tour star and an NFL star from years ago.

First up is the signature of K.J Choi, who was the first Korean player to win on the PGA Tour when he claimed the 2002 Compaq Classic of New Orleans.

He has won seven times to date on the PGA Tour and has played on a pair of Presidents Cup teams.

I'm actually not sure if he signs his full name in Korean here (Kyung-Ju Choi) or if it is just a more difficult read.

Secondly today is the signature of former Los Angeles Rams quarterback Pat Haden. Haden is another one of those guys I grew up watching in the 1970s, so I'm always happy to add another signature from the golden days of my youth to my collection.

Haden passed for nearly 9,300 yards in his career.

One of the interesting, and less well-known, things about Haden is that he was a Rhodes Scholar. When he left USC he played for a year in the World Football League, which allowed him to go to Oxford University.



Day of the Year: 165
Number of Autographs This Year: 212

May 18 Report: Former Atlanta Falcons QB Steve Bartkowski

Steve Bartkowski was the first overall pick in the 1975 NFL Draft, taken by the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta's pick performed quite well from the start earning Rookie of the Year honors.

He went on to pass for more than 24,000 yards and he remains one of only eight NFL QBs who have achieved consecutive 30-touchdown passing seasons (1980 & 1981).

Bartkowski was selected to a pair of Pro Bowls during his career and he led the league in passing in 1983 with a rating of 97.6

Day of the Year: 138
Number of Autographs This Year: 186

May 13 Report: Former Denver Broncos QB Craig Morton and Former 49ers LB Keena Turner

Two more great successes today from football, so it seems some of those requests that have been out there for a while are starting to find their ways back to me.

Short on time tonight, but here are the images of the signed cards from Craig Morton and Keena Turner, a pair of former NFL stars.

Day of the Year: 133
Number of Autographs This Year: 181

May 11 Report: Former New York Jets Kicker Pat Leahy

Hard to believe more than a month and a half has passed since I reported my last football success here on this blog.

Shouldn't be that much of a surprise since I've been focusing on golf so much lately. Guess like many aspects of this hobby, trends come and go. I never would have thought when I started this project I would have ever sent out more golf requests than I have football.

Well today I get back to my first love -- football autographs.

Pat Leahy kicked for the New York Jets for entire NFL career (1974-1991). Amazingly in his 18-year career he never had a kick blocked. He scored 1,470 points.

Day of the Year: 131
Number of Autographs This Year: 179

January 9 Report: Catherine Zeta Jones, Chris Hanburger and Rick Mirer

Glad to report three successes for the third day in a row today, two of them football and the other is my first actress addition of the year.

Ladies first I suppose, so here is Catherine Zeta-Jones. The stunning actress from Wales was performing at the Walter Kerr Theater in New York when she signed this program from her performance in "A Little Night Music".

She's an avid golf nut and I was hoping to get her to autograph a golf ball for me, but she instead opted for this program. Still very happy with this success from a beautiful and talented leading lady.

Alongside the Zeta-Jones signature came that of two former football players. One was more successful than the other on the professional level, but a nice add nonetheless.

Chris Hanburger was one of the finest linebackers of his day back in the 1960s and 1970s. Somehow he's managed to be overlooked for Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration to date, but he's certainly got some impressive stats. He was an All-Pro four times and was selected to nine Pro Bowls in his career. He amassed 19 interceptions and was a feared competitor who earned the nickname The Hangman because of his clothesline tackles.

Truly one of the greatest Washington Redskins of all time - and there's been some serious quality there over the years.

The third in my trio of successes today came from former Notre Dame quarterback Rick Mirer. He was brilliant in college but a bit of a disappointment in the NFL. My worst memory of Mirer was when he led Notre Dame against Florida in the 1992 Sugar Bowl. My former school (UF) was trounced by Notre Dame and RB Jerome Bettis was a one-man wrecking crew. That game stung a bit as you can still tell.

That sour memory aside, I'm still happy to add a great NCAA autograph to my collection.




Day of the Year: 9
Number of Autographs This Year: 10

January 8 Report: Bobby Humphrey, Paul Tagliabue and Brandi Chastain

Added a field goal to my autograph a day quest today. For the second day in a row I received three successes, one from a former football player, another from an administrator and the third from an Olympian.

The first was Bobby Humphrey, the brilliant running back from the University of Alabama who was a two-time All-American.

As an NFL rookie he rushed for more than 1,100 yards in 1989 and played in Super Bowl XXIV for the Denver Broncos. He played in the Pro Bowl in 1990 when he rushed for more than 1,200 yards.

Paul Tagliabue, the former NFL Commissioner who presided over the league from 1989-2005, also responded to my request. Football fans will remember Tagliabue for a number of reasons -- the expansion of the league, revenue sharing and no lockouts or strikes during his tenure and a strict substance abuse policy are all parts of his legacy. He made an indelible impact on the game so many Americans enjoy today.

Time will tell how Roger Goodell will be viewed as Tagliabue's successor.

The third autograph obtained today is from Brandi Chastain. She probably has the most memorable Sports Illustrated cover (not to mention Time and Newsweek) of the last few decades, appearing sans shirt and in her sports bra after shedding the shirt in the 1999 Women's World Cup following her winning goal.

Chastain has also won two Olympic Gold medals to date for her soccer play, first at the 1996 Games in Atlanta and then at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. In addition to signing her name, she also added several inscriptions, which can be seen here.

Great successes today!

Day of the Year: 8
Number of Autographs This Year: 7