Category Archives: NFL

Tanielu, Handsome

CARD: Topps AAF 2019
ACQUIRED: Private Break, 2020

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Handsome Tanielu played DL first at Snow JC from 2014 to 2015.
  • Posted 38 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, a pass deflection, and 3 forced fumbles in 17 contests.
  • Transferred to Brigham Young for his Junior and Senior seasons.
  • Finished with 41 total tackles, and one pass deflection.
  • Undrafted, he caught the eye of the Kansas City Chiefs who had him in for minicamp.
  • He stayed in playing shape and in 2019 was signed by the Salt Lake City Stallions of the AAF.
  • Saw action in 3 games for the top ranked defense, posting a pass deflection.
  • Drafted by the XFL Houston Roughnecks in 2020, but did not make the squad.

NOTES:

Looking back it’s easy to see why Topps chose Handsome, who not only had a marketable name, but that he was also a fireplug- clocking in at 6’0″, 331 lbs.

Grossman, Burt ‘Big Mouth’

CARD: Fleer 1990, Action Packed 1990, Pro Set 1989
ACQUIRED: eBay, 2025, TTM 2026, C/o Home
SENT: 3/21/26 RECEIVED: 4/9/26 (19 days)
FAILURE: TTM 2021, C/o San Diego Strikeforce

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Burt Grossman rose to prominence as a defensive end for Pitt from 1985-88.
  • A rangy, prototypical defensive lineman, with great speed, Burt was limited in his Senior campaign in ’88 due to an ankle injury.
  • Still managed to post 71 tackles, 7 sacks and 17 quarterback pressures.
  • Highest rated defensive lineman who was selected 8th overall, in the 1989 NFL Draft.
  • Plugged in as a starter at RDE and posted 10 sacks and 60+ tackles in back to back seasons (1989 and 1990).
  • Played for the San Diego Chargers through the ’93 campaign.
  • In 5 seasons, Burt tallied 255 tackles, 38.0 sacks, 3 safeties, and 5 fumbles in 71 games.
  • Signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1994, and tallied 21 tackles and 5.5 sacks, before suffering a career ending neck injury.
  • Afterwards Burt went into TV and media journalism writing for the now defunct “National Football Post” and co-hosting the Eagles Hour.
  • Named HC of the IFL San Diego Strikeforce in 2019.
  • After COVID, Burt did not return to coach the team.

ACCOLADES:

  • Regional Sports Emmy Award 1995

NOTES:

Burt’s not a reliable signer TTM so I went ahead and picked this one up via eBay. Then literally a week or so after I put this post together, he just started signing out of the blue! I ran the Pro Set and the Action Packed out the door as soon as I could, but couldn’t find the Skybox 92. The TTM gods were looking out for me as a half torn, damaged envelope arrived with the two autographs inside.

Despite his injury shortened career ‘Big Mouth’ was a pretty solid DL notching 43.5 sacks in 6 seasons. Burt’s legendary big mouth was chronicled in Sports Illustrated in 1990.

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. 🙂