Category Archives: XFL

Spann, Gregory

CARD: Frankfurt Galaxy 2000 Team Issue
ACQUIRED: 2021, Private Acquisition

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Gregory Spann played WR for Jackson State from 1991-95.
  • Was a 7th round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1996.
  • Signed by the Minnesota Vikings and allocated to NFL Europe.
  • Joined the NFLE in 2000 catching 3 passes for 36 yards with the Galaxy.
  • After playing for the Orlando Rage of the XFL that next season, he’d quickly join the Arena Football League.
  • Played in 2001 and ’02 with the Tampa Bay Storm.
  • Back then players went both ways in Arena football, and Spann saw time playing DB as well seeing action in 8 contests.
RECYDSAVGTDLG
33612.0016
NFLE
RECYDSAVGTDLG
2328012.20N/a
ARENA
TACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDLG
10.50.0100-,-0-.-
ARENA

Heinicke, Taylor (2)

Panini Prestige 2015, #288

CARDS: Topps XFL 2020, Sage 2015, Panini Prestige 2015
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o The Washington Commanders
SENT: 8/22/22 RECEIVED: 4/1/23 (222 days)
FAILURE: TTM 2020, C/o The Washington Football Club

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

No clue as to why I didn’t get the cards I sent out in 2020 back from Taylor. He was signing at a really good click and I guess that’s the luck of the draw right? I reloaded and waited until a better time- which appeared in 2022. He became sort of a folk hero for the Commanders over the last few years, but the team opted not to resign him after the ’22 season, so he packed his bags and headed out for Atlanta. I figured these cards were lost as well but eventually they made their way back to me.

Taylor has seen stops with the Texans, Panthers and Washington since his time as a rookie in Minnesota. In 2020 he joined the XFL and was widely expected to be a star in the young league, but got beat to the punch by Jordan Ta’Amu. Despite not seeing almost any playing time in the XFL 20, Taylor is considered one of the more ‘famous’ success stories of that league.

Vasher, TJ

CARD: Sage 2021, XFL 2023 Custom, Panini Legacy 2021
ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas v Arlington Renegades. San Antonio Brahmas v Houston Roughnecks. San Antonio Brahmas v Washington Defenders

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • TJ Vasher played WR for the Texas Tech Red Raiders from 2016-20.
  • In 2017-20, he totaled over 500 yards and at least 6 TDs in each year.
  • He finished his college career with 146 receptions for 1983 yards and 21 TDs.
  • Going unselected in the 2021 NFL Draft, Vasher was signed by the Dallas Cowboys, but was waived with an injury designation.
  • He’d be selected by the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL during their 2023 draft.
  • Over the course of the season he established himself as the #1 receiver despite the team’s felonious quarterback carousel.
  • Vasher caught 16 passes for 173 yards and 2 TDs on the year.

NOTES:

The season ticket holders next to me got an email from the XFL giving them post game field access. They offered me the chance to go with them and I gambled that I’d be able to get autographs easier from players that way.

I spotted TJ signing near the players home entrance for some fans on the elevated side of the stands. It was easy for me to walk over there and ask him to sign this card.

I was pretty meh about the Sage card. The design is so… low effort. Either the person who designed this has just run out of juice to do this, doesn’t care, or they have an intern handle it. It’s been a disappointing fall for me with Sage since 2017 or so, as their design, quality, and general autograph selection has suffered.

Later I got him on this Panini Legacy card after the Roughnecks game. He was very cool about signing that one. Great card here, and the design is regally Art Nouveau.

I made this XFL custom card of TJ. It took me a few iterations to get to this design and I love it. I think these cards really exude the look and theme of the XFL 2023. When he looked at the card, he said, “Ah! You’re the card guy! I’ll get you when I come back out in a few minutes…” I hunkered down hiding out in the stadium against the protests of the ushers there and was able to get him on my sweet custom. I also gave him a few to keep as thanks.