Category Archives: ufl

Arena, CFL, NFL, ufl

Johnson, Jerrod

tntufl11 jjohnsonCards: TNT UFL 2011
Acquired: IP, Aaron Williams Lone Star Showcase 2015

I was a big fan of the United Football League, before all the dirt came out about them not paying their players, and developed a set of cards for the league. As word got around of my work, a few players contacted me and asked for their cards, so I expanded the set from roughly 50 to 100 cards.  Included in the set were 12 or so rookies who were selected by the league during the first ever sports Twitter draft.

After Josh McCown had bolted back to the NFL as one of the UFL’s success stories, new Hartford Colonial’s coach Jerry Glanville assembled an impressive coaching staff and selected Jerrod Johnson with the first overall pick of the 2011 UFL Draft. Johnson planned to sign with the league, but with dark financial clouds brewing, Jerrod signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Soon thereafter, the Colonials owner assumed control of the Virginia Destroyers, and the league contracted Hartford.  Jerrod saw time on various rosters around the NFL (Eagles, Steelers) and Arena (Rattlers) leagues. He then returned to the UFL in 2012 suiting up for the Sacramento Mountain Lions. Johnson threw for 321 yards, completing 25 of 59 passes with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. He also ran for 12 yards in 6 attempts.  This led him back to the NFL, where he ws on the offseason and practice rosters of the Seahawks and Bears through the 2014 season. Later Jerrod signed with the Montreal Alouettes.

Jerrod liked the custom that I did of him, and when I said the #1 pick of the UFL in 2011, he remarked, “The man knows!” Jerrod was one of the many attendees at the Lone Star Showcase. Working with the kids at quarterback you could tell he got a lot of enjoyment out of giving back. Although it was a pretty hot day, the event was well run and players were kind and accomodating to fans of all ages.

Arena, NFL, ufl

Palmer, Jordan

to07 jo palmerCard: Topps Certified 2007
Acquired: Target Autograph Memorabilia Pack, 2013

Jordan Palmer is the younger brother of Heisman Trophy Winner Carson Palmer. While also playing quarterback, Jordan has traveled a much different path than his decorated older brother. Jordan ended up attending the University of Texas – El Paso, playing quarterback for the UTEP Miners from 2003 through 2006 putting together a respectable quarterback resume.

The Washington Redskins drafted Jordan with their 6th round pick in 2007. Despite playing well in the preseason, Palmer was one of the final roster cuts that season. He’d hop over to the Arizona Rattlers of the AFL, but not see any playing time, signing with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2008, backing up his brother Carson, who lobbied hard for him to come to the team. They became the first active duo of brother to play for the same NFL team and Jordan remained with the Bengals through mid 2010.

Jordan went to the Oakland Raiders that year, where he was ironically reunited with his brother Carson who joined the team in 2011.  Jordan played in the UFL for the Sacramento Mountain Lions later that year, and quickly found a home with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012. In 2013, Palmer played for the Bears, and then both the Bills and Titans through 2014.

NFL, ufl

Rhodes, Dominic (2)

sco09 rhodesCards: Score 2009, TNT UFL 2011
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent:  4/11        Received: 4/17   (6 days)
Failure: TTM 2013, C/o Home
See Also: Dominic Rhodes

Dominic had signed previously TTM for me, and asked for a copy of the UFL customs I had done. It took me a while to get around to printing them out and I sent to Rhodes back in June of last year. The problem was Dominic had moved and the UFL had gone on indefinite ‘hiatus’. I tried contacting him both through Twitter and his foundation, but had no luck. It finally took me getting a new Meiselman list to track down Dom’s latest address in North Texas. Since I was having to go a bit out of my way to find him, I enclosed an extra or two to get signed. He responded in about a week personalizing the cards and wishing that the cards found me well, and quoted Bible scripture to me:

Phil 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

tntufl10 rhodesPretty cool, I just wish that the inscrpition was underneath his autograph. -Instead he wrote it on the card sleeve. While not the most pious or religious person, I do like it when players put scripture on their autograph. It tells me a bit about what they are thinking or what is going on in their lives.

Dominic returned to the UFL for the league’s swan song in 2012.
With the league imploading after 4 games, Dominic finished as the unquestioned career leading rusher of the UFL. He completed the season with 63 carries for 219 yards and a TD. Rhodes has been working out agressively and staying in shape, hoping for another shot with another team, but the odds of him getting the chance, at the age of 35 are now are slim.  It’s a shame because there is little wear and tear on the former Super Bowl Champion’s legs at all.

Unfortunately the UFL didn’t do a good job of tracking the numbers of their 2011 and 2012 seasons, however here are both Dominic’s NFL and UFL statistics I was able to cobble together:

NFL:  G/Gs 99/33   Rush 814     Yds 3286    Avg 4.0    Td 26    Lg 77   |
Rec 147    Yds 1027   Avg 7.0    Td  4   Lg  29
Kr 147     Yds 3374   Avg 23.0  Td 2    Lg  88t
UFL:  G/Gs 18/18    Rush 269     Yds 1180    Avg 4.4    Td  16 Lg  65t
Rec 12          Yds  115           Avg 9.6         Td  1      Lg 22
Kr 12            Yds  260         Avg 21.6        Td 0      Lg N/a