Anyone old enough to remember the Luv Ya Blue days of the Houston Oilers (hell, a lot of you probably don’t remember the Houston Oilers!) likely remembers very specific things like Bum Phillips, the rally in the Astrodome, Dan Pastorini and the AFC title games in Pittsburgh. But, above all else, you remember Earl Campbell.
The number 34 in Houston sits in some pretty rarefied air, used by Campbell, Nolan Ryan and Hakeem Olajuwon. Campbell’s stint in the NFL and with the Oilers was an unfortunately short one, but his best seasons were about as remarkable as you will ever see.
This week, Sports Illustrated features Campbell on its cover for a “where are they now” issue. It is the fourth time the Tyler Rose has been featured on the SI cover. It seemed only right to show them all off.
December 5, 1977 — UT Beats A&M
Weird to think that not only are the Oilers gone, but so is this storied rivalry.
December 4, 1978 — Rookie on a Rampage
Campbell’s rookie season is still one of the all-time greats for a running back.
September 3, 1979 — Rushing to Glory
Just under 1,700 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns that year.
July 2012 — To Hell and Back
A fitting tribute to one of the all-time greats.
This article appears in Jul 5-11, 2012.
