Tag Archives: washington defenders

NFL, XFL

Abdullah, Khalid (JMU)

Topps XFL 2020 Certified Autograph Issue, #KHA

Card: Topps XFL 2020 Certified
Acquired: 2020, Box Breaker

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Khalid Abdullah was a tailback for James Madison from 2013-2016.

  • Compiled 15 100 yard games.

  • Finished second all time at JMU in rushing yards with 3678, while setting the school record for rushing TDs (41) and total touchdowns (45).

  • Was not selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, but was in camp with the New York Giants.

  • Played in the Your Call Football league for team Grit in both 2018 and 2019.

  • Selected by the Washington Defenders during the open phase of the XFL 2020 draft.

  • Ran 11 times for 52 yards, and caught 2 passes for 11 yards.

  • Best game came against LA when he carried 8 times for 47 yards and caught those two passes, but Abdullah was inactive the last two contests.

ACCOLADES:

  • 2017 NCAA Division Championship (FCS) Game MVP

NOTES:

Before the prices went absolutely nuts, I was able to break this card out of an XFL hobby box I bought.

NFL, XFL

Boozer, Cole

Topps XFL 2020, #43 GREEN 81/99

Card: Topps XFL 2020
Acquired: TTM 2021, C/o Home
Sent: 3/30 Received: 4/19 (20 Days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Stared career at Temple as a TE but by his Senior season had added 30 lbs to his frame to become the Owls’ starting RT.
  • Spent 2018 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but was cut at the end of camp in 2019.
  • Selected by the Defenders in the 2020 XFL draft.

NOTES:

Cole endeared himself to Defenders fans, (who originated the ‘Beer Snake’ in the XFL,) with his unique last name and number that he chose (69) when joined the franchise.

A special shout out to two of my favorite football fans. Mark- from Mark’s Signing Bonus continues to keep me motivated by providing me addresses behind the scenes to players in other leagues as my attention wanes from time to time as we continue to collaborate on all things spring football related.

I got two autographs from Cole. One on this parallel green and another on his base card, which I decided to send to my buddy Seth ‘Tuju Man’ as a thank-you for helping me canvas the Defenders prior to the 2020 season for autographs.

AAF, NFL, XFL

Freeman, KeShun

Card: Topps AAF 2019
Acquired: 2019, Washington Defenders Open House

KeShun Freeman was a 4 year starter at defensive end for the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets. A captain for the team, he posted 159 total tackles, 8 sacks, 20.5 tackles for loss, 4 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles.

Keshun joined the New Orleans Saints in training camp in 2018, but did not make the squad. He then played for the Atlanta Legends of the AAF where they let him continue to hone his craft more as a tweener. Freeman finished with 14 tackles and .5 sacks in 8 games before the league folded in April of 2019.

Keshun started for the XFL’s DC Defenders in 2020 seeing action at defensive end, outside linebacker and middle linebacker. An integral member on special teams, he finished with 17 tackles in 5 games for the Defenders solid defense.

I really liked Keshun’s card and it was high on my list to get autographed. I have made a few friends on Twitter, and after the collapse of the AAF, became fast friends with a fellow football historian. He had season tickets to the Defenders and offered to get autographs for me, which I excitedly jumped at. It goes to prove that kindness and charity are not done for yet.