He’d start 2 of 8 contests, catching 7 passes for 80 yards and a TD.
NOTES:
Shoutout to my partner in crime Joe, who helped me get this one. He had a success and so he was kind enough to provide me with the correct address. No clue what the one was I sent to in 2019, but I don’t blame him if he was tired of signing and wanted to take a break. Francis was kind enough to take his time to give me his full autograph in 2025, as opposed to the stack he probably signed shorthand back in ’19.
CARDS: TNT XFL 2023, Upper Deck UFL 2024 ACQUIRED: IP 2025, San Antonio Brahmas v DC Defenders
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Malik Fisher played DL at Villanova from 2017-’21.
In Senior campaign posted 46 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, an interception and 2 forced fumbles.
Played pivotal role in Wildcats not allowing an offensive TD over its final 7 games in 2021.
Signed with the DC Defenders of the XFL in 2023.
Really came into his own in 2024, with 6 sacks and 32 tackles.
Signed with the Houston Texans, and briefly spent time on the team’s practice squad.
Returned to the Defenders for the 2025 season.
San Antonio Brahmas (1-5) v DC Defenders (4-2), 5/9/25 TAC 2 SAC 0.0 FUM 0 INT 0 YDS 0 AVG -.- TD 0 LG -.-
NOTES:
I targeted Malik as the player I wanted gloves from who played for the Defenders. I always liked his story from small school to the UFL. When he heard I had a card during pregame, he lit up and came over. I offered him the customary extras in exchange for a glove after the game. He signed everything I had and was super excited to have copies of his cards. Then he wanted to make sure I’d be there in that spot after the game.
Despite the frustrating amount of belligerent kids around me, allowed to roam loose, I was able to hang out long enough. Malik came over and pulled the gloves from his helmet and handed me the pair! Then he tried to provide as many other keepsakes he could for the children around me. Class act!
This gives me 5 pairs of gloves, and also my first Upper Deck UFL 2024 card signed in person.
Solomon Byrd played DE for Wyoming from 2018-’21, and USC from 2022-’23.
A redshirt Freshman in ’18, it wasn’t until 2019 he flashed his potential racking up 45 combined tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.
He transferred to USC in 2022 and had 28 tackles, 4 sacks, 8 tackles for loss and 1 forced fumble.
In 2023 as a super senior, Solomon racked up 49 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles.
Byrd was selected during the 7th round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans.
He joined the team’s practice squad and earned a future’s contract in early 2025.
NOTES:
Joe threw up a wing and a prayer that I’d be able to get a few UFL autographs for him at the game and I was able to come back with quite a few players from the visiting side near the end of the season for him. In return, he sent me a gift bag of different autographs- among them, this one.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
