Category Archives: AAF

Robinson, Denard ‘Shoelace’

Topps 2013, #133

CARDS: Topps 2013, Sage 2013, Topps AAF 2019, Topps AAF 2019 Certified
Acquired: 2019, C/o EBay
2020, C/o The Jacksonville Jaguars
Sent: 11/4/20 Received: 11/20/21 (381 days)
Failure: 2020, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • In 2010, became the first player in NCAA history to pass for over 2,500 yards and rush for over 1,500 in a single year.
  • Finest moment came that year in a game against Notre Dame, accounting for 502 of the Wolverine’s 532 yards.
  • Had 3 games passing and rushing for 200+ yards each.
  • Completed college career passing for 6250 yards and 49 TDs, while rushing 723 times for 4495 yards and 42 TDs.
  • 5th round selection of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2013.
  • Played 4 seasons for the Jaguars, after converting to RB.
  • Best season came in 2014, rushing 135 times for 582 yards and 4 TDs, while catching 23 receptions for 124 yards.
  • Injuries derailed development at the end of the 2014 season, lasting into 2015, allowing for TJ Yeldon to take starting job.
  • After trying out for the Bears in 2018, remained in playing shape and signed with the Atlanta Legends of the AAF for 2019. 
  • Played 7 games for the Legends, seeing 24 carries for 66 yards and a TD, and caught 7 passes for 37 yards, but finished on IR as the league ceased operations.
  • Robinson has begun a coaching career, and after briefly serving at Jacksonville University, is currently on the staff of the Jacksonville Jaguars front office.

ACCOLADES:

  • Set NCAA record for most yards rushing by a QB (4,495)
  • 2010 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year
SAGE Hit 2013, #117

NOTES:

Denard was pretty easy to find on the web, but he wouldn’t sign from home. It took him a while to get back to me, but it appears he signs his fanmail once a year through the Jags right now.

I was pretty disappointed in the Topps AAF 2019 entry. The fact that the certified is just the same as the base card minus a few effects is quite lazy.

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Gilbert, Garrett (2)

Panini Select 2014, #122 Topps AAF NOW 2019, #2

CARDS: Panini Select 2016, Topps AAF Now 2019
ACQUIRED: TTM 2020, C/o Home
SENT: 7/28 RECEIVED: 8/29 (32 DAYS)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • See Garrett Gilbert

  • After spending both 2019 and 2020 briefly with the Browns, was signed by the Dallas Cowboys off Cleveland’s practice squad.

  • Was starter in Week 9 against the Steelers, after injury bug hit the Cowboys QB rotation.

  • Threw for 243 yards, a TD and an INT in first meaningful NFL game.

  • Signed by New England Patriots and placed on team’s practice squad for 2021, finishing the season on the roster of the Redskins.

  • In March of 22, signed with the Las Vegas Raiders

NOTES:

I had still wanted to get Garrett on one more card of his- this Topps AAF Now card of his. In a take no risk get no reward situation, I took a shot at an address I found in Ohio (while he was still on the Browns). He signed these two cards for me in a bit under 30 days. Recently I also picked up his AAF Apollos jersey. Maybe if he does another event around here I’ll consider getting it and my custom art signed by him.

Burnett, Kaelin

Topps AAF Certified CUSTOM

Card: Topps AAF 2019 Certified (CUSTOM)
Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Home
Sent: 9/4 Received: 9/24 (20 Days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Kaelin was a tweener that played LB and DL at Nevada from 2009 to 2011.

  • Over 3 years he had 93 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 1 pass deflection, and 2 forced fumbles.

  • Burnett joined the Oakland Raiders in 2012 playing for them part way through 2014, posting 12 total tackles.

  • He’d spend the next season and a half with the Tennessee Titans, posting 3 total tackles.

  • Kaelin’s next stop was in Saskatchewan with the CFL in 2016 seeing action in 1 contest.

  • He saw action with the Spokane Empire, The Spring League, and the Massachusetts Pirates in 2017.

  • Burnett then played in the Alliance of American Football for the Arizona Hotshots in 2019.

  • In 7 contests, Kaelin had 17 total tackles, a forced fumble, and a sack.

  • After the league folded, he was selected by the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL 2020.

  • Over 5 contests Kaelin had 15 total tackles and an interception.

NOTES:

Kaelin has continued to pursue and chase his pro football dreams. I made a bunch of custom cards for former AAFers after the league folded and Kaelin was kind enough to respond to me signing this card for me. It appears he was quite popular, as a few fans also have asked me for copies of it as well.