Category Archives: Arena

Arena, NFL, WLAF

Wells, Kent

CARD: Wild Card WL 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2019, C/o Home
SENT: 10/5/19 RECEIVED: 9/19/23 (1445 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Kent Wells played DL at Nebraska from 1987-’89.
  • Posted 37 solo tackles, 40 assists and 10 sacks over his time in Lincoln.
  • 6th round pick of the Washington Redskins in the 1990 NFL Draft.
  • Claimed off of waivers by the New York Giants that year, playing in 6 contests.
  • Spent the 1991 off-season with the 49ers.
  • Saw extensive action playing for the Ohio Glory of the World League in 1992.
  • Briefly was on the off-season roster of the Browns that year.
  • Joined the Arena Football League in 1993, playing for the Thunderbolts through ’94, when the team folded.
  • Played for the Tampa Bay Storm from 95-98′.
  • Traded to the Iowa Barnstormers in ’98.
  • Played one final season in the Arena leagues for the Orlando Predators in 1999.

ACCOLADES:

  • 1996 Arena Defensive Lineman of the Year
  • Arena Football League All-Star 1993
  • All-Arena 1995-’96

NOTES:

After I saw Kent’s autograph pop up on EBay, I started researching his address and was pretty confident I found a circumstantial fit near Omaha. I shot this request out shortly after and waited, and albeit a bit later than I figured, I got a hit. For only having one card, Kent Wells’ Wild Card World League card is an absolute winner.

TACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDLG
N/a3.0000-.-0-.-
WL
TACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDLG
6613.0100-.-0-.-
ARENA
Arena, NFL, NFLE, XFL

Spann, Gregory

CARD: Frankfurt Galaxy 2000 Team Issue
ACQUIRED: 2021, Private Acquisition

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Gregory Spann played WR for Jackson State from 1991-95.
  • Was a 7th round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1996.
  • Signed by the Minnesota Vikings and allocated to NFL Europe.
  • Joined the NFLE in 2000 catching 3 passes for 36 yards with the Galaxy.
  • After playing for the Orlando Rage of the XFL that next season, he’d quickly join the Arena Football League.
  • Played in 2001 and ’02 with the Tampa Bay Storm.
  • Back then players went both ways in Arena football, and Spann saw time playing DB as well seeing action in 8 contests.
RECYDSAVGTDLG
33612.0016
NFLE
RECYDSAVGTDLG
2328012.20N/a
ARENA
TACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDLG
10.50.0100-,-0-.-
ARENA
AAF, Arena, NFL, XFL

Folkerts, Brian

Topps XFL 2020, #41

CARD: Topps XFL 2020
ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas V Arlington Renegades

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Brian Folkerts played college ball for tiny Washburn University from 2008-11.
  • During that time for the Ichabods, Folkerts played both RT and LT for the school.
  • Although possessing the ideal size (6’4″, 306), he’d go unselected in the 2012 NFL Draft.
  • After being cut by the Saints in 2012, Folkerts joined the Arena Football League, playing FB for the San Jose Sabrecats in 2013.
  • He followed that up with a stint playing for the Carolina Panthers from 2013-15.
  • After a short stint with both the ‘9ers and Rams in 2015, Brian rejoined the Panthers briefly again in 2017.
  • Sprained his ankle in the preseason and was cut.
  • In 2019, signed with the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football.
  • Played C and blocked up front for one of the league’s better ground games.
  • After the AAF folded, Brian was selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL in 2020.
  • With COVID scrambling the XFL before the season concluded, Brian stayed in playing shape.
  • In 2023, was selected by the Arlington Renegades of the XFL 3.0.
  • Has been dabbling in coaching since COVID and in the XFL offseason works as an OL coach for Wingate University in North Carolina.

NOTES:

I was partially miffed and shocked at how many Commanders and former AAFers ended up with the Renegades in 2023. I packed a bunch of Renegade players cards along with my Kenneth Farrow’s, and while Kenneth was signing, both Brian and De’Vante Bausby came over to pay high respects to my Farrow Commanders jersey. I was extremely flattered.

Later my neighbors with me at the game, got field passes for after the game to wander around. They had enough for 5, and invited me, so I said, “Why not?” I rushed the field for a few autographs, and saw Brian standing there with his family taking photos. He was gracious enough to sign his card, take a photo with me, and talk about the Alliance and the Commanders with me. (He also agreed that the league was second to none as far as entertainment was concerned.)

After the game I posted this photo up on Twitter. (I didn’t realize how nice the Renegades icy whites look up close.) He also retweeted it and again had nothing to say but high praises of the Commanders faithful.

With the Commanders gone and the Brahmas reeling, the Renegade players were doing their hardest sell to adopt me.