As part of the league’s leading defense, he posted 3.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles and 1 fumble recovery in 6 contests.
In 2020, he spent about 4 months on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL.
Continued to chase his football dreams, playing for the Billings Outlaws of the CIF.
Suffered an ACL injury in 2023 and was placed on IR after just 5 contests.
Returned to Outlaws after team joined the Arena Football League in 2024.
NOTES:
Cool card here of Dylan. I had tried previously in 2020 after Mark’s Signing Bonus had scored an autograph from him but never got a response, so after 5 years, I thought I’d give it another shot. When the envelope arrived in the mail postmarked from MT I knew it was him without even opening the envelope. Dylan’s father Mitch played in the NFL from 1991-1994.
Doran Grant played college ball at Ohio State from 2011 to 2014.
At DB/CB he tallied 140 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 19 pass deflections, 9 interceptions for 146 yards and a TD.
Selected in the 4th round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Steelers.
Over the next few seasons, Doran was on and off the Practice squad of the Steelers, Bills, Giants, Jaguars, and Bears.
Late in 2018 signed with the Atlanta Legends of the AAF.
Finished with 12 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 4 pass deflections in 8 contests.
Played for the Defenders of the XFL in 2020 starting one contest.
Posted 7 tackles and 1 pass deflection for DC in 5 games.
He’d sign with the Blue Bombers after the XFL folded due to COVID.
After the CFL cancelled the season due to COVID, he opted out of play.
Grant went into coaching where he has been coaching at the high school level.
NOTES:
My friend Seth helped me get Doran way back when he joined the DC Defenders. He said all the players were excited to sign their cards at the team meet and greet. The certified is basically a zoomed up version of his base card. Still it looks good and I am fortunate Seth was kind enough to help me out.
Jon Kitna walked on to the Central Washington football team, where he settled in at QB.
During his senior season, Jon threw for 4,616 yards and 42 touchdowns.
Undrafted, he signed as a free agent with the Seattle Seahawks in 1996.
Intrigued by his skillset the Seahawks sent him overseas to play in the World League with the Barcelona Dragons in 1997.
With the Dragons, Kitna completed 171 of 317 attempts, for 2,448 yards and 22 passing TDs.
He also set the league record for quarterbacks with 334 rushing yards.
In World Bowl V, he put the Dragons on his shoulders and threw for a game record 401 yards and 2 TDs.
Returned to the Seahawks after the World League season where he honed his craft behind Warren Moon and John Friesz.
Became the Seahawks starter at QB in Week 13 of ’98.
Completed 270 of 495 passes for 3,346 yards and 23 touchdown passes leading the Seahawks to an AFC West Title in ’99.
Struggled in 2000, posting a 6-6 record, throwing 18 TDs to 19 picks.
Signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2001- beating out WLAF alum Scott Mitchell in camp.
Threw a franchise record 68 times in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Led the league in passing attempts with 581.
Backed up Gus Frerotte to start the 2002 season, before going on to start the final 12 games of the season for the Bengals.
Again, Kitna stepped up throwing for 3,178 yards and 16 TDs.
With #1 pick Carson Palmer sitting in the wings, Jon was allowed to start and play every single down for the Bengals in 2003.
Threw for 3,591 yards and a career high 26 TDs.
As Palmer took over in 2004, Kitna was relegated to a backup role and saw spot duty through 2005, seeing action in 7 games, while starting 3.
Signed with the Detroit Lions in 2006.
Took every snap for the team in 2006, throwing for 4,204 yards, and 21 TDs on 372 of 596 passes- setting multiple team records.
His 372 completions led the league.
Had another 4k season passing in 2007 as he threw 18 TDs.
Injured during week 4 of 2008.
Traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 2009 to shore up the team’s QB room behind Tony Romo.
Started 9 contests in 2010 for Dallas, throwing for 2,365 yards and 16 TDs.
Injured in training camp due to a herniated disc, Kitna never was able to fully recover from the injury and was forced to retire after the 2011 season concluded.
Went into teaching and coaching at his High School in Washington.
Popped up again briefly as an emergency QB for the Cowboys in 2013, but didn’t see any action- donating the check to his High School Booster Club.
Worked his way through the High School ranks before briefly joining the San Diego Fleet of the AAF in 2018 for about 6 months as offensive coordinator.
Resigned to become QB Coach to Dak Prescott of the Cowboys in January of 2019.
Returned to the high school gridiron to coach in 2020.
ACCOLADES:
Pacific Northwest Hall of Fame 2014
Central Washington University Hall of Fame 2006
World Bowl V MVP
Offensive Player of the Week (13) 1998
Offensive Player of the Month (October) 1999
Offensive Player of the Week (16) 2001
NFL Comeback Player of the Year 2003
NOTES:
I really had to scramble to find cards of Jon. He’s always been at this crossroads of quarterbacking that’s interested me, being a mentor to so many players and also being a World League alum. He signs in very short spurts, so I rushed these out as soon as I could them.
INSCRIPTIONS:
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
-Galations 2:25
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
-Romans 5:8
A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God
-Isaiah 40:3
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
