CARDS: Upper Deck UFL 2025 Dual Autographs, XFL 2023 ACQUIRED: Epack 2025 IP 2025, San Antonio Brahmas v DC Defenders
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Abram Smith played college ball at Baylor from 2018-’21.
He battled adversity through injury and a position change, before returning to RB for his 2021 campaign.
There he rushed 257 times for 1,601 yards and 12 TDs for the Bears, setting the school’s single season rushing record.
After going undrafted, he’d be signed by the New Orleans Saints in 2022.
Cut, Smith was the overall #1 pick of the DC Defenders during the 2023 XFL Draft.
Over the course of the XFL ’23 season, Abram ran for 788 yards and 6 TDs.
Signed with the Vikings after the season, but didn’t make the squad.
Returned to the Defenders, but tore his ACL before the season, ending his 2024 campaign.
Resigned with DC for the ’25 campaign and rushed for 285 yards and a TD on 101 carries.
ACCOLADES:
All XFL 2023
NOTES:
I got Abram at almost the same time I got Malik Fisher. Abram didn’t seem all too enthusiastic even though I gave him a custom to keep, but still I was happy to get the XFL ’23’s leading rusher on a card.
Dan Saleaumua played DL in college at Arizona State, where he racked up 190 career tackles.
Selected by the Detroit Lions in the 7th round of the 1987 Draft.
Spent two seasons primarily as a backup NT for Detroit, before heading over to Kansas City in 1989.
It’d be with the Chiefs that Dan saw the most success, posting 495 total tackles, 2 safeties, 4 forced fumbles, 28 sacks, and 3 interceptions.
Posted a career high 7 sacks in both 1990 and 1995.
After playing primarily Nose with the Chiefs, he’d move to RDT in 1994.
He’d hop over to the Seahawks in 1997, adding 3.5 sacks 42 tackles and a safety to his resume.
Dan retired after the ’98 season and has been active in coaching since then.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1995
All Pro 1990
Polynesian Hall of Fame 2019
NOTES:
People constantly sleep on guys like Saleaumua, and he developed into a monster force in the middle at NT. Keep in mind NTs frequently are double-teamed by the C and G- and this guy pulled out 7 sacks in 1990 and 6 and 1992. He also had a penchant for safeties, recording 3 over his career.
I mean I still need Mike on a few more cards but him appearing at Baylor or anywhere near me for an alumni event is slim to none so I just picked up this certified autograph via the secondary market at a value price. I still would like to get his autograph on 3-4 more cards for set needs and historical purposes.
What’s interesting about this certified autograph is that it is his full autograph. The one I got a few years ago on his Action Packed Rookies & Stars 1992 is his short autograph, while the autograph I have of him on his Action Packed 1989 may well end up being a secretarial.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
