Category Archives: AAF

Barnes, Tavaris (2)

CARD: Topps AAF 2019
ACQUIRED: IP 2020, Washington Defenders Team Meet & Greet

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • See also Tavaris Barnes
  • Joined the AAF in 2019 playing for the Atlanta Legends in their 3-4 alignment.
  • Compiled 6.5 tackles, 1 sack, in 6 starts for Atlanta.
  • Played in 3 games for the Washington Defenders in 2020.
  • Had 4.5 tackles, and 1.5 sacks.
  • Signed with the Calgary Stampeders in early 2021, retiring later in the year.

NOTES:

My buddy Seth, a diehard Washington XFL team fan, had me send a stack of cards to him, that he was more than happy to get signed for me. A great card, Tavaris was one of the many players who gathered around and was excited to apparently sign his card for Seth during the fan meet and greet. He even took the time to inscribe ‘GO TIGERS!’, on it in gold.

Barnes, Deion

CARD: Topps AAF 2019
ACQUIRED: TTM 2019, C/o Home
SENT: 6/3/19 RECEIVED: 6/27/19 (24 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played from 2012 to 2014 at LB for Penn State.
  • Logged 99 total tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, 4 pass deflections and 5 forced fumbles over his college career.
  • Wasn’t selected in 2015 NFL Draft, but signed with the New York Jets.
  • After being waived that year, was signed to the Chiefs practice squad and cut in 2016.
  • Stayed in playing shape, and signed with the San Antonio Commanders of the AAF in 2018.
  • Started all 8 games for SA, posting 16 total tackles and 2 sacks.
  • After league ceased operations, returned to Penn State and as of 2022 is a graduate assistant.

NOTES:

As a Commanders fan I was happy to get Deion’s autograph back- sort of… I mean, is this a crayon or a faded Vis-A-Vis he signed with? Just terrible. I may send to him again to cover this one and hopefully he will sign it better.

Williams, Marquise (3)

CARDS: Panini Prism 2016 Blue, Topps XFL 2020, Custom Card
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home
SENT: 10/27 RECEIVED: 3/13 (138 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

I can not remember if I got help from Mark (Mark’s Signing Bonus) on this one- but if I must give credit where it is due. Over the years we’ve collaborated so much and he’s been very helpful and encouraging all along the way.

I had been searching for Marquise to get him specifically on these cards. The Panini Prism card was one that I had hoped to get signed when he played for the AAF, but later I just went ahead and bought a base certified autograph of. – And of course the XFL 2020 one was something I wanted to get shortly after the set came out. Marquise signed the back of my card for him and returned it, which was nice of him, but it was intended for him- in case he ever wanted to visit the shrine.