After completing a successful career at the University of Texas and bringing home the school's first Heisman trophy, Earl found himself preparing for his NFL future. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had the first pick in the 1978 draft. But days before the Tuesday draft Tampa Bay unexpectedly traded their first draft pick to the Houston Oilers. And so on a hot, sunny Texas afternoon, while he was sitting in a University of Texas classroom, Earl Campbell was chosen by Coach Bum Phillips, owner Bud Adams and the Houston Oilers as the number one draft pick in 1978. Earl was about to embark on a whole new experience, unaware of the profound impact he would continue to have on the game of football in the state of Texas and beyond. A Texas native, a UT alumni and a Heisman trophy winner was about to bring pride and excitement back to the city of Houston.

Earl had never even heard of Bum Phillips, the Oilers' charismatic coach, until the day of the draft. So when he received a call from the infamous coach that night, he was pleasantly surprised at what he heard.

Phillips reassured Earl that he would be a perfect fit within the Oilers organization and that he would personally look after his well-being.

After all, Bum was long-time friends with Darrell Royal, Earl's college coach, and had promised the Royal family that he would watch over Earl. But it was not what he told him that made Earl feel so readily welcomed into the Oilers family, but it was how he told him. Bum Phillips, the popular coach Earl's friends had spent all day telling him about, talked with a deep country accent that made Earl feel like he was back home again, deep in the heart of Tyler, Texas. Earl hung up the phone that night anxious and excited. He made himself two promises that night. First, he decided he was going to build a new home for his mother, Ann, who had been Earl's long-time mentor, provider, friend and biggest fan. A year later, Earl presented that new home to his mother. It stands today proudly on the land where Earl's old house stood. The second promise he made to himself was that he would always strive to be the best running back in the NFL. Many would argue that he came through on that promise, as well.

Earl's first year as a Houston Oiler began on the day he flew to Houston to sign his contract. It was then that he finally met Bum Phillips, the man who would become yet another one of Earl's "guardian angels" that would protect and guide him throughout different stages of his life. Earl reported to training camp a few weeks later and moved into a new apartment with a fellow rookie teammate named J.C. Wilson. The two newcomers became very good friends, spending many afternoons studying upcoming opponents' game film.

By the time the veterans reported a few days later, Earl and the entire team had adopted Bum's infectious personality and attitude. Bum did all he could to make his players feel welcome and happy to be an Oiler. He would host pizza parties for his athletes and even invite their families to watch occasional practices. Soon, many of the players, including Earl, were even dressing like Bum, complete with cowboy boots, western clothes and "ten gallon" hats. The excitement surrounding the "new and improved" Oiler team spilled over into their first season. After a pre-season win against their state rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, the Oilers carried a 5-2 record entering into a Monday Night Football match-up against the Pittsburg Steelers. This game brought the Oilers a big opportunity to prove themselves in front of a national audience. Rushing for 89 yards against the ferocious "Steel Curtain" defense, Earl led the Oilers to a 24-17 victory. A new spirit suddenly permeated the entire city of Houston.

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