Category Archives: NFL

Jefferson, John ‘Space Age Receiver’

CARD: Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home
SENT: 9/18 RECEIVED: 9/27 (9 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • John Jefferson played WR at Arizona State from 1974-’77.
  • In his Senior campaign he logged 53 receptions for 912 yards and 8 TDs.
  • Over 45 games, John caught 175 passes for 2824 yards and 19 TDs.
  • Selected in the first round (14th overall) by the San Diego Chargers in 1978.
  • A member of the famous Air Coryell Offense that included Kellen Winslow and Charlie Joiner.
  • In 1978 campaign tied NFL record for most receiving touchdowns for a rookie with 13- to lead the NFL.
  • Led the NFL in receptions (82) , yards (1,340) and TDs (13) in 1980.
  • Held out in a salary dispute in 1981 and was promptly traded to the Packers.
  • Caught 149 passes for 2253 yards and 11 TDs over 4 years in Green Bay.
  • Held out in 1985- and was traded to the Cleveland Browns, where he played his final season, catching 3 passes for 30 yards in 2 starts.
  • Signed with the Houston Oilers for the 1986 season- but did not make the squad, retiring at the age of 29.
  • Went into coaching briefly and then was the Director of Player Development for the Washington Redskins from 2008-’09.

ACCOLADES:

  • College Football Hall of Fame 2002
  • Arizona State Hall of Fame 1979
  • All Pro 1979, ’80
  • Pro Bowl 1978-’80, ’82
  • All Rookie Team 1978
  • San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team

NOTES:

Well before Eric Dickerson and long before Rodrigo Blankenship, John Jefferson really popularized the goggle glasses. He’s got a great autograph, that matched his playing style and willingness to dive out for those acrobatic catches.

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Ward Jr., Greg (2)

CARDS: Topps AAF 2019 Certified HACK, Sage Hit Premium Portrait 2017, Sage 2017 Peak Performance, Sage Hit 2017, Panini Unparalleled 2017 Pink, Panini Prestige 2017 Parallel, Jersey
ACQUIRED: In Person, 2025

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • See Also Greg Ward Jr.
  • Greg was promoted to the active roster by the Eagles after injuries decimated the WR corps in 2019.
  • Over time he became sort of a folk hero to Eagles fans.
  • He saw action in 7 games, starting 3 in 2019.
  • Caught 28 passes for 254 yards and a TD, and most notably 18 first downs.
  • In 2020, started 10 games, catching 53 passes for 419 yards and 6 TDs.
  • Caught QB Jalen Hurts first TD throw.
  • Used primarily in gadget plays in 2021, and saw seldom play time.
  • Returned to the Eagles practice squad in 2022 and remained there through 2023.
  • Signed with the Colts in 2024, but didn’t make the squad.
  • Joined the San Antonio Brahmas in November of 2024.
  • In a Frankenstein patchwork like offense, Greg managed to haul in 17 receptions for 116 yards and a TD.

NOTES:

Greg was one of my favorite players on the Commanders, and after the league folded, I got a jersey of him off of DHGate back in 2020. When the XFL returned in 2023, I wore this jersey to the meet and greet with Hines Ward. I wore it to the first game, and I wore it when the UFL took shape. I wore it even though other fans were telling me it was time to let go. I couldn’t believe it when Greg was signed by the Brahmas. I thought it had to be a publicity ploy or something but I kept pinching myself hoping he’d make the team.

When the meet and greet was announced, I speculated that the players in attendance would probably be new QB Kellen Mond, someone like Tavante Beckett… Caveon Patton always shows up since he’s local… and maybe an old head like Greg Ward. I absolutely nailed it.

He was nice enough to sign these cards and the jersey I was wearing. It is the first jersey- surprisingly in all these years- that I’ve had signed. Sure in hindsight, I should’ve had Jamie Sharper sign his or Kenneth Farrow.. but now I gotta figure out how to frame this thing. The cards! Ah the cards… These were cards I wanted him to sign dating back to his time with the Commanders and I had and the Ultimate and the Peak Performance cards were burning a hole in my pocket! So glad to get them all signed while the hack card is the cream of the cake. Yes!

Despite the wear I put it through, I was gentle with the jersey and it will look great on the wall. I did have a few nitpicks about it but considering there were no player jerseys made, this isn’t bad at all.

Later after the event I bought an XFL player practice jersey off of Ebay of his current number with the Brahmas. Then I realized it was probably for 2023 or ’24…. And then I realized it was too small to fit on me. I’m sure it will look good on my daughter at a game.

Woods, Tony (DL-CHI)

CARD: Pro Set WLAF 1991
ACQUIRED: EBay, 2025
FAILURE: TTM 2018, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Tony Woods played DL for Oklahoma from 1984-’88 where he posted 73 total tackles, 2 sacks, and 6 TFL over his college career.
  • He was an 8th round pick of the Chicago Bears in 1989.
  • Played in 15 games, starting 2- rotating between DT and DE.
  • In 1990, signed with the New Orleans Saints as a Plan B Free Agent, but didn’t make the squad.
  • Selected by the New York-New Jersey Knights in the 1st round pf the WLAF positional draft.
  • Started all 10 games at LDE and had 34 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles and 7.5 sacks- good for 3rd in the league.
  • Had a league high 4.5 sacks and 8 tackles against Orlando in Week 6.
  • Posted 3.5 sacks in 1992.
  • Joined the CFL Edmonton Eskimos in 1993 and recorded 8 sacks.
  • Posted 21 tackles and 9 sacks in 1994.
  • Played one final season with the Esks in 1995.
  • After a season off, spent two seasons in the Arena Football League as an OL/DL for the Tampa Bay Storm.

NOTES:

Tony has proven to be almost impossible to find. There’s a lot of Tony Woods in the world- and there’s even already a Tony Woods who plays defense, so you can imagine my frustration. Maybe, eventually I’ll find him and get him on the two other cards he has, but for right now, I’ll be happy just to close the book on this one alone.

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181.0000-.-0-.-
NFL
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N/a11.0200-.-0-.-
WLAF
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7119.0200-.-0-.-
CFL
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271.0100-.-0-.-
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