James Butler played RB for 3 years at Nevada from 2014-16.
He ran for over 1300 yards and 10 TDs in both 2015 and 2016.
Transferred to Iowa for Senior year in 2017.
Undrafted in 2018, but was a member of the Raiders practice squad.
Signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2019 but was cut at the end of camp.
Returned to Raiders practice squad for the 2019 season but was not resigned.
Joined the XFL Houston Roughnecks Run N Shoot attack for the 2020 season.
Was a spark at RB for the Roughnecks, both on the ground and as a receiving threat.
Carried the ball 46 times for 221 yards (4 TDs) to go along with 11 catches for 42 yards and a TD
After scoring a TD in a home game against the St Louis Battlehawks, jumped into crowd creating a celebration dubbed, “The Houston Hop”.
COVID ended the XFL 2020, but James rejoined the CFL- with the BC Lions.
Rushed for 497 yards on 101 carries (2 TDs) and caught 39 passes for 243 yards and a TD in 2021.
Had first 1,000 yard effort in 2022 rushing for 1060 yards on 210 carries while also catching 53 passes for 384 yards for the Lions.
NOTES:
Well I had season tickets to the Roughnecks and of 3 games that they were able to play I was able to attend 2 of them before COVID knocked the league out. I went with my friend Kevin to the game, and with our endzone seats, I was able to engineer a guest star on James Butler’s Houston Hop, as I muscled my way in at the end of the highlight film. Look at that Legends jersey! Long live the AAF!
Recorded 83 total tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 2 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble over his time with the Tigers.
Selected in the 4th round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.
Waived in 2016 by the Lions, he spent the next few seasons on and off practice squads and promoted to the active rosters of the Browns (16/17), Eagles (17), Dolphins (17/18), and Raiders (19).
Over his NFL career he’s recorded 13.5 total tackles and 2 pass deflections.
Wright was selected by the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL, during their supplemental portion of their draft in 2019.
He had a solid season with the Roughnecks posting 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 2020.
After the league suspended operations due to COVID Gabe signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Terry Poole played OT for San Diego State from 2011-2014.
Selected in the 4th round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks and was with the team through 2016.
Spent 2017 with the Dolphins and Texans.
In mid 2018, he became one of the early signings of the AAF, joining the San Diego Fleet, playing for the team through 2019 before it ceased operations.
Poole was selected by the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL in 2020.
Topps XFL 2020, #137
NOTES:
As I was a season ticket holder, I had tried a few times to get Terry’s autograph throughout the XFL season since he had an AAF card, but didn’t ever run into him at preseason activities or exiting after game. With a bit of diligence I was able to track him down via the mail and he responded with a nice note thanking me for being a fan of both leagues (AAF & XFL).
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
