Oilers-ex Givins still looking for recognition

[Wolf]

CORPUS CHRISTI — Just give Ernest Givins a call, and he'll do the Electric Slide in the spotlight once again.

The former Houston Oilers wide receiver wants the Tennessee Titans -- the erstwhile Oilers -- to give him a call, vow to dust off jersey No. 81, showcase it and then put it out of commission for good with the six other numbers retired by the organization.

The 5-foot-9, 181-pound receiver wants much to be considered. Consider not just showmanship, but toughness and durability. Consider nearly 8,000 receiving yards in nine seasons with Houston, splitting catches every season with at least four other primary receivers.

Consider his way with fans, as he obviously still resonates with them, being voted by caller.com readers to the Houston all-time pro football team.

But the jersey definitely is a place to start.

"I want to see if the Oilers/Titans are ever going to retire my jersey," said Givins, who now is a successful semi-pro coach. "I hope they do it before I'm dead and gone. Before I leave this Earth, I would love for the Tennessee Titans/Houston Oilers to retire my jersey.

"Why did it take so long for them to retire (quarterback) Warren Moon's jersey? Just because you have bad blood with the city of Houston, that does not modify what the players have done."

Givins did a lot, being a second-round choice out of Louisville in 1986 despite weighing, he said, 145 pounds. He caught his first pass from Moon in a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints, and everyone was given a preview of the fun times that were ahead.

"I caught it and brought it back with me to the huddle," Givins said. "I never let it go. I wouldn't stop talking. I couldn't stop talking -- 'Hey did you see that?' -- until finally Warren said, "Calm down. I've got to call the next play.'"

Givins started as a rookie and hauled in more than 1,000 receiving yards. He immediately showed off his moves, dancing after scores and big plays. Eventually, the Givins trademark was the Electric Slide. Givins would slide his foot across the turf and shake just about everything else, almost convulsing.

It was a quality show for even those in the game.

"Ernest was a crowd favorite," said teammate Cris Dishman, an Oilers cornerback. "(Defensive lineman) Ray Childress and I would sit there and watch the monitor and wonder what Ernest was going to do when he caught the ball. Always interesting."

Givins' outgoing personality was not confined to dance. During pregame, he would head into the stands, strike up conversations and shake hands even when he was supposed to be working out. The fans were paying for the experience. Givins was giving full value.

http://www.caller.com/news/2010/aug/...r-recognition/

[ChampionTexan]

Originally Posted by Wolf

http://www.caller.com/news/2010/aug/...r-recognition/

I heard the following comment made earlier today in regard to Sammy Sosa, and I think it applies here:

"There are two things you never do in sports - give yourself a nickname, and ask someone to retire your jersey".

I would tend to agree with the viewpoint.

[Hervoyel]

Originally Posted by ChampionTexan

I heard the following comment made earlier today in regard to Sammy Sosa, and I think it applies here:

"There are two things you never do in sports - give yourself a nickname, and ask someone to retire your jersey".

I would tend to agree with the viewpoint.

True dat' Bad move on Givins part but he might just have played for the one franchise that you could pull that off with. The former Oilers are a tacky mish-mash of the past and the present. It's like their collective "house" if you will was decorated by a little old lady with no taste and an overdeveloped sense of nostalgia (that would be Bud). He likes to dwell on the past, talk about the Oilers, and honor former Oilers. Meanwhile the kids (Titans fans) stand around waiting for the old buzzard to die so they can throw all the knick-knacks and tawdry mementos out and move on.

I bet Givins could go have lunch with Bud and talk him into it.

[Double Barrel]

There's no money in it for Bud to retire #81.

Warren Moon is in the HoF, so by extension, it made sense to capitalize on it from Bud's standpoint.

But with Givins, what's in it for Bud? Absofreakinglutely NOTHING.

[Showtime100]

I was trying to find a tactful way of saying just what both of you said. Obviously I couldn't have said it better myself otherwise I would've.

[El Tejano]

Hey Ernest, "that team" hasn't retired your jersey because they really don't know absolutely anything about you. Maybe they will not honor you but us fans in Houston have a special place in our heart just for you.


Side note: Got to give this to Bob. Maybe he can't retire any of the former Oilers' numbers but he does do his best to honor them.

[HJam72]

I think anyone who was a fan of that team during that era would pull for dumb-Budt to show some heart for a change and retire #81.

[THE NFL]

I feel the same way about retiring jerseys as I do the HOF. It isnt the Hall of Good. Givins isnt getting his jersey retired because he doesnt deserve it.

Ernest you were a good player, but sorry, you werent that good.

[El Tejano]

Originally Posted by THE NFL

I feel the same way about retiring jerseys as I do the HOF. It isnt the Hall of Good. Givins isnt getting his jersey retired because he doesnt deserve it.

Ernest you were a good player, but sorry, you werent that good.

I got to disagree with you there. Retiring jerseys have nothing to do with you be in the Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame is for the best the LEAGUE has ever seen. Retiring a jersey is for the best a FRANCHISE has ever seen. Theres a a difference. That being said, name me a WR who did more for that franchise, Oilers or Titans, than EG. That dude had a ton of TDs, yards and receptions for that team despite having to share the load with 3 other primary targets. EG was one of the reasons the Oilers were even on the map in the 90's. EG also pretty much played his whole career with Houston, except for his last year in Jville.

Lets see if we can name a few big names we've seen wear columbia blue and compare them to what EG did.

Ken Burroughs - I believe he too should have his # retired (don't know if it already is) but his numbers fail in comparison to EG.
Drew Hill - to me was the best of all the Fab Four but Givins broke his records. His career started for the LA Rams and ended in Atlanta.
Curtis Duncan - His numbers fail in comparison to EG
Haywood Jeffires - Again, numbers fail in comparison EG.
Derrick Mason - Is currently still playing but his numbers as a Titan fail in comparison to EG's. Plus I believe he would retire a Raven more than he would a Titan.

That's over 30 something years of football for a franchise and this dude's numbers have yet to be touched by anyone in that Franchise.

Like I said, Ernest Givins won't be honored by that Franchise because Tennessee is unaware of what kind of player he was over the course of his career.

[THE NFL]

I just said it was how I felt.

I know the difference. I just disagree.

I loved Givins. I wouldnt retire his jersey.

Thats just me....

[El Tejano]

Originally Posted by THE NFL

I just said it was how I felt.

I know the difference. I just disagree.

I loved Givins. I wouldnt retire his jersey.

Thats just me....

I know but maybe I can help. LOL

[Dread-Head]

Screw it..I say they should retire his jersey. He earned it.