Sidney Rice and Roger McIntosh trading cards available at local restaurant

Collecting trading cards has been a part of Joel Phillips's life for years as visitors can tell when they enter the Thicketty Station Bar and Grill on Granard Street.

The cards of legends such as Roger Staubach, Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders and a host of others are found in several glass cases. But even with such star power located in a small area, these athletes are not the primary reason why Phillips began selling the collector's items out of his parents' restaurant.

"We are proud of the Gaffney Indians and specifically those who are making a name for themselves," Phillips said. "That is why we are celebrating the efforts of two individuals with the hope of more in the future."

He refers to Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Sidney Rice and Washington Redskins linebacker Roger "Rocky" McIntosh, both of whom have earned their place in Gaffney High School lore for their accomplishments.

Rice, who helped the Indians win three state championships - two of which were on the hardwood, made himself a household name at the University of South Carolina during his stint there, leading the team to two bowl games.

Rice was a second-round draft pick this year, taken by the Minnesota Vikigns, who just two years earlier selected another talented Gamecock receiver, Troy Williamson.

With such pride for the local area and specifically the Gaffney football team, Phillips put his money together and bought several of Rice's rookie cards.

"I have a ton of his signature rookie cards," Phillips said. "But there are also others in my collection that have pieces of his game jersey placed on the card."

McIntosh was no slouch either, making waves at the University of Miami and getting some playing time in his rookie season in the nation's capital. Phillips also has several of McIntosh's cards.

"All of these are collectors items and are legit,"Phillips said. "A lot of the cards people get are not real, but I want to present these cards to the public and sell them for prices that are affordable and help them show their Gaffney pride."

After Stephen Davis made his way to superstardom in the National Football League, his hometown in Spartanburg rallied around him. With players such as Rice and McIntosh on a similar course, Phillips believes that Gaffney is doing the same thing.

"We want to embrace their accomplishments and show we are behind them," Phillips said.