Category Archives: Arena

Collins, Shawn

Cards: Gameday 1992, Proset 1989, Action Packed 1990, Topps 1990, Fleer 1990
Acquired: 50/50 Consignment- Sportscollectors.net, 2020

Shawn Collins was actually a tight end at Northern Arizona where he set the school’s all-time career records for TDs (24) and catches (201). In 1986, he posted 70 catches for 1,016 yards- a school, single season record, and then followed up with 61 receptions in 1987, and 54 in 1988. Scouts decided that Shawn was best suited to play wide receiver before the 1989 draft. He’d be selected near the back end of round one by the Atlanta Falcons.

Shawn had an outstanding rookie season for the Falcons. He led all rookie receivers with 58 catches, and set rookie franchise records, leading the Falcons with 58 catches for 862 yards. An acrobatic receiver who is fearless in traffic, Collins’ 58 receptions were the most by any rookie during the 80s and 16 of his 58 grabs went for 20 yards or more. He’d be an unanimous 1989 NFL All-Rookie selection.

With a sea change at head coach in Jerry Glanville, the Falcons were expected to be very aggressive at WR, but after landing in Jerry’s doghouse, Shawn’s numbers suffered and he finished with 34 catches for 503 yards and 2 TDs in 90, and just 3 catches for 37 yards in 91. He joined Browns in 1992 and caught 3 more passes for Cleveland. Shawn joined the Bucs in 1993, but did not make the roster. He’d later sign with the Packers and was on their roster for 4 additional games.

Shawn then made a comeback with the Frankfurt Galaxy of the newly retooled World League, catching 18 passes for 215 yards and a TD. Returning stateside, he immediately joined the CFL where he played for the Memphis Mad Dogs and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1995, posting 29 passes for 536 yards and 2TDs. Shawn played one final year in the Arena Football League for the Iowa Barnstormers catching 5 passes for 52 yards.

Shawn does not sign through the mail at all. I had spied out a signing through Sportscollectors.net at a really fair price, and waited for the event to pop. I was not disappointed and jumped at the chance to have him sign these 5 cards.

G/GS NFLRECYDSAVGTDLG
98143314.6561
G/GS WLAFRECYDSAVGTDLG
1821511.9128
G/GS CFLRECYDSAVGTDLG
2953618.5258
G/GS ARENARECYDSAVGTDLG
55210.40N/A

Doxzon, Todd

Card: Topps XFL 2001
Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Home
Sent: 4/30 Received: 5/13 (13 days)

Todd Doxzon played for the Iowa State Cyclones from 1993 to 1996. At quarterback, Todd ‘s best year was in 1996, when he threw for 1498 yards and 12 TDs, while rushing 86 times for 223 yards and 4 TDs.

Todd accepted an invitation to join the NFLE in 1998, where he switched to wide receiver. He caught 8 passes for 135 yards and 2 TDs for the Amsterdam Admirals. Doxzon returned stateside later that year and suited up for 9 games for the Dolphins- rushing 2 times for 6 yards. The Dolphins allocated Todd back to the NFLE for 1999. He’d catch another 8 passes for 145 yards and a 75 yard TD.

In 2001, Todd played for the Los Angeles Xtreme of the XFL, and then joined the Arena Football League, playing for New York Dragons, catching 52 passes for 642 yards and 21 TDs. He played an additional two years the Dragons, and then the Carolina Cobras in 2004, where he caught a career high 94 passes for 1142 yards and 23 TDs. He then split a final season between the Georgia Force and the New York Dragons in 2005 before he retired.

Todd is now a parishioner in the Omaha area. He wrote me a nice note thanking me for writing and praying for my family and my continued safety during this current time (COVID).

NFLERECYDSAVGTDLG
1628017.5375T
NFLRUSHYDSAVGTDLG
263.003
XFLRECYDSAVGTDLG
00-.-0-.-
ARENARECYDSAVGTDLG
208 271913.066N/A

Thomas, Jordan ‘JT’

Card: Topps AAF 2019 Certified
Acquired: 2019, EBay

Jordan Thomas was a highly touted recruit, and signed with Oklahoma in 2014. He was roughly a 4 year starter at the school, posting some eye popping numbers in his Sophomore year, with 46 total tackles, 4 pass deflections, and 5 interceptions for 153 yards and a TD. Jordan struggled to meet those numbers in his final two years at Norman- although he did manage to produce 17 pass breakups in his 2016 campaign.

JT was not selected in the 2018 NFL draft, but did manage to land with the Philadelphia Eagles. After being cut, Jordan signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and then later that year with the San Antonio Commanders of the fledgling AAF. JT made the Commanders, recording 2 tackles and a pass deflection during the preseason, but with a surfeit of talent at the CB position, he rarely saw action. JT saw playing time primarily in two contests, Week 2 against Orlando and Week 6 against Atlanta. He’d record 5 tackles in 8 games for San Antonio.

After the league disbanded, Jordan signed with the Columbus Destroyers of the Arena Football League. He’d put together 17 total tackles and 3 pass breakups in 2019.