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

April 1 Report: Virgil Livers, Herman Weaver and Roger Carr

Thankfully the mailman wasn't in an April Fool's mood today and he delivered me some nice 1970s NFL successes.

First up is former Chicago Bears cornerback Virgil Livers. Livers played college football at small Western Kentucky, yet he impressed enough scouts to be drafted in the fourth round of the 1975 NFL Draft.

Livers had 12 interceptions in his five-year career with the Bears, returning a pair of them for touchdowns.

Herman Weaver earned his nickname "Thunderfoot" from Howard Cosell during a Monday Night game when the Lions were playing.

This is the second time I have gotten Weaver to sign cards for me, the first being about 15 years ago. Back then he signed and also added his nickname to the card.

Today's version comes with a Bible verse in place, which I completely respect too.

In all Weaver punted for 11 years in the NFL -- 1970-76 with Detroit and 1977-80 with Seattle. The Sporting News, in 1988, named him one of the top 20 punters of all-time.

Today's third and final success comes from Roger Carr.

Carr played most notably for the Baltimore Colts (1974-1981), though he also spent time with Seattle Seahawks (1982) and San Diego Chargers (1983). He was drafted in the first round after his college career at Louisiana Tech.

His career numbers are 271 receptions, 5,071 yards and 31 touchdowns.

His best year was in 1976, whe he caught 43 passes for 1,112 yards -- almost 26 yards per catch.

He made his lone Pro Bowl that season as well.

Day of the Year: 91
Number of Autographs This Year: 128

March 12 Report: Bert Jones and Jaime Faith Edmondson

Finished the week on an upswing, so I've got a pair of things to report today.

First up is Bert Jones, who had a short starting career career at LSU but made the most of it to become the second overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft. Jones had only a pair of starts prior to the end of his junior season at LSU, but he emerged as big man on campus his senior season.

Jones, who was nicknamed the Ruston Rifle, went 9-2-1 as a senior, leading the Tigers to several crucial top-1o wins, including a 27-7 upset over seventh-ranked Notre Dame. He finished his college career as the school's leader in TDs (28) and passing yards (3,225). Both marks have since been broken.

In the NFL Jones played for the Colts from 1973-1981. His best year was easily 1976 when he led the Colts to their second of three consecutive AFC East titles. He passed for 3,104 yards and 24 TDs that season for a 102.5 QB rating. There were only three QBs to have a rating over 100 during the 1970s -- Jones, Roger Staubach and Ken Stabler. Jones was NFL MVP in '76 as well.

Today's other success comes from model Jaime Faith Edmondson. This one dates back to the very first requests I sent out in late 2009. I don't have much more to say about her other than, well, she's pretty hot. Can't post the photo here so enjoy the signed index card.

Day of the Year: 71
Number of Autographs This Year: 109