Tag Archives: topps aaf 2019

AAF, NFL, XFL

Moore, Sterling

Card: Topps AAF 2019
Acquired: IP 2019, San Antonio Commanders v The Arizona Hotshots

Lost in the JUCO shuffle to SMU, cornerback Sterling Moore went undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft.

He’d sign with the Oakland Raiders, and then end up on the roster of the Patriots that year. Called up to active play from the practice squad, Sterling helped New England in a pinch make the Super Bowl that year. Sterling returned to the practice squad in 2012, but was snapped up by the Dallas Cowboys. Sterling again saw some emergency time over the next year or so before earning a role as the team’s nickelback. In 2015, Moore signed with the Bucs, and saw a mix of playing time starting at corner and also as the nickelback, starting 8 contests. After a quick pitstop with the Bills, Sterling spent the next year and a half with the New Orleans Saints. He’d start a career high 12 games, recording 2 picks, 56 total tackles, and 13 pass deflections in 2016. Sterling signed with the Detroit Lions in 2018, but did not make the squad.

Moore joined the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance in early 2019. He’d record 7 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble and 23 total tackles in 8 starts.

Sterling came over during warmups when he realized I had a card and signed this one for me. After the Commanders game ended, I gave him one to keep which he really appreciated.

That’d be the last game in AAF history, but Sterling was later selected in the 2019 XFL draft by the Seattle Dragons during the defensive back portion, with their final overall pick.

AAF, Arena, CFL, NFL

Jasper, Josh

Card: Topps AAF 2019
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 6/10 Received: 6/20 (10 days)

Josh Jasper was a dual threat kicker and punter for the LSU Tigers from 2007-2010. He’d connect on 75 of 76 extra points, and make 47 of 56 field goals for a total of 216 points. Jasper also punted 41 times for 1631 yards.

Josh went unselected in the 2011 NFL Draft. In fact, he had to wait until the conclusion of the lockout in order to sign with a team. After a short tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he signed with the Toronto Argonauts in 2012. In 2013, he joined the AFL New Orleans Voodoo and went 1/2 of field goals and 10/16 on extra points.

5 years later, Josh was selected by the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football. He’d go 3/5 on field goals with a long of 38- missing two from over 40 yards (9 points).

Along with punter Brad Wing, Jasper was cut after Week 3 concluded in the AAF season, as the Express dropped to 0-3 on the year.

AAF, NFL

Johnson, Charles

Card: Topps AAF 2019
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o The Philadelphia Eagles
Sent: 4/10 Received: 7/26 (107 days)

Charles Johnson was the big bodied playmaker in Steve Spurrier’s Sun N Gun offense at Wide Receiver. Over 8 games, he caught 45 passes (70 targets) primarily from Garrett Gilbert, for 687 yards, 5 TDs and a 2 point conversion. His 687 yards and 70 targets were a league mark. Charles best game came against the San Antonio Commanders in Week 2, as he set AAF records with 10 catches for 192 yards and a TD.

“He’s done a fantastic job since he’s been here. He got himself acclimated to the system, and he and I have great rapport.”

– Apollos QB Garrett Gilbert

Charles Johnson’s football story starts at Antelope Valley Community College back in 2008. He caught 24 passes for 231 yards and 3 TDs, and then at Eastern Kentucky catching 3 passes for 63 yards. He transferred to Grand Valley and reshirted for a year. Returning to the gridiron in 2011 he blew the doors off of the college recording 56 receptions for 1030 yards and 15 TDs. Johnson followed that season up with an equally impressive Senior campaign with 72 receptions for 1,199 yards and 16 TDs.

Although he was not invited to the NFL combine in 2013, and hailing from a small school, Charles turned heads with his 4.39 40 on his school’s Pro Day. He parlayed his efforts to sneak onto draft boards as a 7th round pick of the Green Bay Packers. Earning a spot on the team’s practice squad, Charles was signed away by the WR needy Browns, where he spent 2013 and 2014.

He then spent the next 3 seasons with the Vikings from 2014-2016. It was with the Vikes Johnson saw the most success, cobbling together 31 catches for 475 yards and 2 TDs during 2014. Hampered by injuries and inconsistency, Johnson struggled through 2015 and 2016.

Charles signed with the Panthers in 2017, but did not make the squad. The following year in 2018 he joined the Jets, but was cut mid-year and elected to join the AAF.

After the disappointing end to the league, Charles signed within the first few days of the AAF free agent frenzy. When I saw his name popped up on the transaction boards for the Eagles, I didn’t hesitate for a second and sent out to him the following week.

As one of the older players in the AAF, Charles was of interest to many scouts in the NFL and there was a lot of chatter always surrounding what a great story he was for the league, and how just getting back to basics had really helped him fall back in love with the game. I got his autograph on his lone AAF card, and although they did come out with a Topps NOW card of him- I thought that Topps really missed out on the certified autograph boat with him.