Tag Archives: topps xfl 2020 certified

Maponga, Stansly

CARDS: Topps XFL 2020 Certified, Topps XFL 2020
ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas v Orlando Guardians

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Defensive Lineman Stansly Maponga played college ball at TCU from 2010-12.
  • In 2011 he posted 55 total tackles, 13.5 TFL, 9 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles.
  • He was a 5th round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2015.
  • After not making the final cuts, he was resigned to the practice squad by the Falcons.
  • The Giants signed him later in 2017 to their regular season roster, and then retained him on their practice squad after the year.
  • Maponga then spent the next year or two of and on the practice squad and in the futures contract game with the Cowboys (2017), and Broncos (2017-18).
  • In late 2019, he’d be the first defender selected by the Seattle Dragons of the XFL for 2020.
  • On the 5 game season, he’d post 15 tackles.
  • After a brief flirtation with the Ottawa Redblacks of the CFL (2021), he’d be selected by the Orlando Guardians of the XFL 2023.
  • On the season Stansly posted 22 total tackles, and 2.5 sacks starting 9 games for the Guardians.

NOTES:

Stansly was another player within earshot as he left the field to go back to the locker room after warm-ups. He got past me, but when I called out his name, he was probably impressed that I knew how to pronounce it properly in the first place- turned around and came back to me. He graciously signed this card for me. I was really impressed by the broadness of his shoulders. He had gigantic shoulder pads for his size. We also joked about the fact he played for the Dragons, sans ‘Sea’.

Artis-Payne, Cameron (2)

CARD: Tops XFL 2020
ACQUIRED: 2020, Box Break

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • See Also Cameron Artis-Payne
  • Cameron played sparingly for the Panthers through the 2019 campaign.
  • He’d be selected by the Dallas Renegades of the XFL 2020.
  • Artis-Payne worked his way into the starter role rushing for 241 yards (41 carries), 2 TDs, as well as 23 receptions for 101 yards before the league folded.
  • In 2021, he signed with the Montreal Alouettes.
  • Rushed for 225 yards on 45 carries and a TD in 5 contests.

NOTES:

When Cameron was selected by the Renegades, I knew they were getting a great change of pace back. I was equally surprised that he was available to the XFL based on his previous light NFL experience.

Heeney, Ben

CARD: Topps XFL 2020
ACQUIRED: EBay, 2021

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Ben Heeney played LB at Kansas from 2011-2014.
  • Became a starter in 2012 and immediately made an impact, posting 112 tackles, 11.5 TFL, a sack, 2 pass deflections and a forced fumble.
  • As a junior, added 3 picks, 87 total tackles, 11.5 TFL, and a sack to his growing resume.
  • In 2014, Heeney had a career high 127 total tackles, 13 tackles for losses, 1.5 sacks, an interception and 2 forced fumbles.
  • Ben was selected in the 5th round of the 2016 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders.
  • He’d start 3 games posting 38 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, a pass deflection and a forced fumble.
  • Injuries played a part though in his time in Oakland and he’d be waived in 2017.
  • After being claimed and released by the Saints, Heeney played for the Houston Texans that season, posting 2 more tackles.
  • In 2020, Heeney was selected by the New York Guardians of the XFL.
  • He’d post 30 total tackles, and 3 tackles for loss, before the league suspended operations due to COVID.

NOTES:

A great snipe for me here as I picked up this certified 4/5 black parallel autograph of Ben for just a buck fifty.