CARDS: Panini Contenders Draft Picks 2018, Panini Prestige 2018 ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas v St Louis Battlehawks
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Kalen Ballage was a RB at Arizona State who ran for 1984 yards and 27 TDs (450 carries) playing for the school from 2014-’17.
A 4th round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2018.
Had a breakout game his rookie year rushing for 123 yards on 12 carries against the Minnesota Vikings- scoring a TD.
2019 was disappointing, and by 2020, the Dolphins were searching for trade partners.
Waived with an injury settlement, Ballage spent about a month on the roster of the New York Jets that year.
Ultimately proved to be effective playing for the Chargers that year, contributing 91 carries for 303 yards and 3 TDs.
Also showed a nice touch out of the backfield, catching 29 passes.
Played for the Steelers in ’21 and spent the season on special teams.
Selected in the 6th round of the 2023 XFL Draft by the San Antonio Brahmas.
Was the primary back in the ground and pound offense, but was ultimately supplanted in the lineup by Jacques Patrick, and then an Achilles injury ended his season after 5 games.
Finished season with 55 carries for 149 yards and 11 receptions for 82 yards.
Expected to fight a crowded backfield for 1st team reps in 2024 with the Brahmas retooled offense, but with a crowded backfield was an early cut during preseason.
NOTES:
I was very excited to see the Brahmas drafted Kalen. He has a lot of cards and I hoped that I’d get more of them signed. Of subsets, I always look forward to the Gameday subsets from Panini.
I was able to get these two signed as he walked off the field in the first game near the home side entrance at the Alamodome.
CARD: Action Packed Whizzer White Award 1991 ACQUIRED: 2023, EBay
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Played both ways at Grambling University- at OT and DE.
Selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 1956 NFL Draft.
Due to military commitments, did not see the field until 1958.
Traded to Green Bay in 1960 and played exclusively at DE.
A significant contributor to the Packers defensive dominance during the 60s.
Never missed a game during his ten seasons with the Packers.
Captained Green Bay to 5 NFL Championships and 2 Super Bowl wins.
Sacks and tackles were not officially tracked statistics, but unofficially Willie has been credited with in excess of 125 sacks, including 25 in one season.
Retired after the 1969 season.
Dabbled in color commentary and was president of a series of radio stations.
Served as a director on the ’84 US Olympic Committee.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Football Hall of Fame 1981
Byron Whizzer White Award 1969
NAACCP Man of the Year Award 1978
Willie Davis Day 12/21/1969
All Pro 1962-’67
Pro Bowl 1963-’67
Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame
NFL All 1960’s Team
NOTES:
Willie Davis is frequently confused with the WR by the same name and vice versa. Since Davis passed away, I didn’t hold out much hope getting him on anything. The Packer legend remains in demand even after passing and I had a quick and protracted fight with another EBay buyer to get this one off their hands.
EPITAPH:
4/15/20- Willie passed away peacefully at Santa Monica Hospital due to kidney failure at the age of 85.
He opted out of his senior season due to COVID, so he finished with a modest 78 receptions for 1388 yards and 13 TDs over his college career.
With strong connections to the Texans through their coaching staff, Nico was a 3rd round pick of the franchise in 2021.
The team was going through… a lot at the time, not only at the quarterback position, but also in the coaching staff.
He finished both his rookie and sophomore campaign with similarly middling results.
In ’21 he started 8 games and had 33 receptions for 446 yards and a TD.
In ’22 he started 7 games and had 37 receptions for 481 yards and 2 TDs.
It’d be in 2023 that Nico had a breakout year, as he and rookie QB CJ Stroud paired together to be a dangerous combination.
Collins finished the ’23 campaign with career highs in all categories, as well as more than doubled his production across the board.
He finished 2023 with 80 receptions for 1297 yards, a 75 long, and 8 TDs.
NOTES:
The prices have been fluttering down on certified autographs recently, and with the emergence of Nico I wanted to get a few of his long at last into the collection since we just don’t get much love up here in Central Texas. I had originally chosen a Luminance card, but the seller couldn’t find it, so he offered to make it right by sending me the Donruss instead, which I begrudgingly accepted.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
