Category Archives: Arena

Arena, NFL

Newton, Falanda

CARD: Pro Set WLAF 1991
ACQUIRED: 2025, eBay
FAILURE: TTM 2011, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • A fast and hard hitting safety who always found a way to be around the ball, Falanda Newton played college ball for TCU from 1986-’88.
  • In 1987 he had 7 picks for 117 yards.
  • He also moonlighted at punt returner primarily that season as well.
  • Newton finished his college career with 15 interceptions for 274 yards and a TD over 33 contests.
  • Nominated for the Jim Thorpe Award his Senior campaign.
  • Undrafted, spent time in the camp of the Houston Oilers in ’89 and Cleveland Browns in ’90.
  • Second to last selection in the WLAF positional draft in 1991 by the New York-New Jersey Knights.
  • Started all 10 contests at free safety and posted 8 interceptions, 73 tackles, 12 pass deflections, and recovered 3 fumbles.
  • Set league record with 3 interceptions in a single game against the Monarchs.
  • Also blocked a punt that season.
  • Returned to the Knights for the 1992 campaign, posting 5 interceptions and 3 sacks.
  • After the league went on hiatus, Falanda played for Cincinnati of the Arena Football League in 1993.
  • Had 43 total tackles, 10 interceptions for 71 yards and 6 pass deflections.

ACCOLADES:

  • All World League 1991, ’92

NOTES:

Falanda has been impossible to track down or get a response from despite his unique name. When this one popped on eBay, I didn’t think twice and snapped it up immediately. He’s still got two set needs out there for me.

Arena, NFL, NFLE, University of Texas, XFL

Humphrey, Aaron

CARD: UT Upper Deck 2011 HACK
ACQUIRED: TTM 2025, C/o Home
SENT: 10/17 RECEIVED: 11/10 (24 DAYS)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Aaron Humphrey played DL/LB for the Texas Longhorns from 1996-’99.
  • Led the Big-12 in sacks in both his junior and senior campaigns.
  • Over his playing career he started 45 of 48 games, posted 330 career tackles, and 10 forced fumbles.
  • Finished second on UT’s all-time tackles for loss list with 50, and 8th in sacks with 24.
  • In perhaps his finest moment for the Burnt Orange playing the season opener against Rutgers in 1997, Aaron dropped back and picked off THREE passes (almost 4) against the Scarlet Knights.
  • After going undrafted he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2000, but did not make the squad.
  • Played for the Chicago Enforcers of the XFL 2001.
  • Used all over the field at ILB and DE that season, Humphrey posted 53 total tackles and 3 sacks.
  • Once the league folded, he was signed by the New York Jets, but was released before the season.
  • Signed by the Rhein Fire of the NFLE in 2002.
  • Posted 27 total tackles, 1 forced fumble and 5 pass deflections.
  • Signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars after his stint in the NFLE, Aaron was on and off the practice squad.
  • Spent his final three years back in Austin, as a member of the Arena Football League’s Austin Wranglers from 2004-’06.
  • Tallied 48 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, 5 pass blocks, 8 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and a 6 yard interception for a TD.
  • Also saw time as a willing receiver, posting 5 receptions for 47 yards and 2 TDs.

ACCOLADES:

  • Texas MVP and Defensive Player of the Year 1999

NOTES:

Aaron was one of the players that when I got the UT Upper Deck 2011 set I was surprised that he wasn’t included. I thought based on his unique football journey and accomplishments that he’d be a shoe in for it.

That being said the opening allowed for me to slip in with a custom card for him taking down Josh Heupel. The card itself came out perfectly and I was very pleased with the results.

I tracked down Aaron through Facebook surprisingly quick and he responded to me in no time flat. He was very excited to have his own card and to share it with his kids.

Knowing that I was a big fan and also of the Austin Wranglers, he also sent me a signed jersey from his days with the team!

Here is the jersey Aaron said he was going to send me. 🙂
AAF, Arena, CFL, NFL

Donahue, Dylan

CARD: Topps AAF 2019
ACQUIRED: TTM 2025, C/o Home
SENT: 3/31 RECEIVED: 11/17 (231 days)
FAILURE: TTM 2020, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Dylan Donahue was an intriguing tweener who played JUCO at the University of Montana- Western, and Palomar.
  • He transferred to West Georgia in 2015 and was immediately a starter at DE.
  • In 2016, Dylan earned the Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year recording 67 tackles, including 20 for a loss, and 13.5 sacks. 
  • Posted 25.5 sacks and 37.5 tackles for loss over two years with the Wolves, demonstrating some great tools and quickness.
  • Donahue was selected in the 5th round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.
  • He honed his game on special teams and made 5 tackles and a blocked punt his rookie year, playing in only 4 games.
  • Donahue ended the season on IR after injuring his elbow against Jacksonville.
  • Waived by the Jets during cut downs in 2018.
  • Signed with the Atlanta Legends of the AAF in 2019.
  • 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.