TTM Stats
- Sent: 6/10/2022 | Received: 6/21/2022 | 17 Days
- ’87 Topps, ’89 Pro Set, ’90 Pro Set, ’90 Score
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Deron Leigh Cherry, born on September 12, 1959, in Riverside Township, New Jersey, is celebrated as one of the premier free safeties in NFL history. His journey from an undrafted free agent to a six-time Pro Bowl selection with the Kansas City Chiefs exemplifies determination and excellence.
Growing up in Palmyra, New Jersey, Cherry attended Palmyra High School, where he showcased his athletic versatility as a quarterback in football and a participant in basketball and baseball. He continued his athletic pursuits at Rutgers University, initially joining as a walk-on. At Rutgers, Cherry excelled as a free safety and punter, recording nine interceptions over three seasons and earning the team’s MVP honors in 1979. His outstanding performance also led to consecutive second-team AP All-East selections in 1979 and 1980.
Despite not being selected in the 1981 NFL Draft, Cherry’s resilience led him to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent. Although he was released during final cuts, he rejoined the team as a safety and quickly made an impact. Cherry’s tenure with the Chiefs spanned from 1981 to 1991, during which he played 148 games, amassing 927 tackles, 50 interceptions, and 14 fumble recoveries. His 50 interceptions rank third in Chiefs’ history, and he shares the NFL record for most interceptions in a single game, with four. Cherry’s exceptional play earned him six consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 1983 to 1988 and five All-Pro honors.
Beyond his on-field achievements, Cherry has made significant strides in business and philanthropy. In 1995, he became a limited partner in the NFL’s expansion team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, marking a historic moment as one of the league’s first minority owners. He also serves as the president of United Beverage Company, an Anheuser-Busch distributor in Kansas City.
Cherry’s commitment to community service is evident through his involvement with organizations such as Special Olympics, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the United Negro College Fund. For over 25 years, he has hosted the Deron Cherry Celebrity Invitational, raising more than $3 million to support children in the Kansas City area.
Deron Cherry’s legacy is defined by his exceptional football career, groundbreaking business ventures, and unwavering dedication to philanthropy. His journey from an undrafted player to an NFL standout and successful businessman serves as an inspiration, highlighting the impact of perseverance, leadership, and community engagement.
The Score on Deron Cherry – 7.5
Not only do I love Deron’s signature, I love these cards that he signed. Those old pads look so huge and makes him look so top heavy. To me the absolute best of these is the 1990 Pro Set card with all those Chiefs colors on there. The image is bright and his signature is so big on there.
Thanks Mr. Cherry! I’m giving this return a 7.5.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Pro Football Reference.