Category Archives: XFL

NFL, XFL

Vasher, TJ

CARD: Sage 2021, XFL 2023 Custom, Panini Legacy 2021
ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas v Arlington Renegades. San Antonio Brahmas v Houston Roughnecks. San Antonio Brahmas v Washington Defenders

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • TJ Vasher played WR for the Texas Tech Red Raiders from 2016-20.
  • In 2017-20, he totaled over 500 yards and at least 6 TDs in each year.
  • He finished his college career with 146 receptions for 1983 yards and 21 TDs.
  • Going unselected in the 2021 NFL Draft, Vasher was signed by the Dallas Cowboys, but was waived with an injury designation.
  • He’d be selected by the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL during their 2023 draft.
  • Over the course of the season he established himself as the #1 receiver despite the team’s felonious quarterback carousel.
  • Vasher caught 16 passes for 173 yards and 2 TDs on the year.
Panini Legacy 2020, #191
Sage 2020, #148

NOTES:

The season ticket holders next to me got an email from the XFL giving them post game field access. They offered me the chance to go with them and I gambled that I’d be able to get autographs easier from players that way.

I spotted TJ signing near the players home entrance for some fans on the elevated side of the stands. It was easy for me to walk over there and ask him to sign this card.

I was pretty meh about the Sage card. The design is so… low effort. Either the person who designed this has just run out of juice to do this, doesn’t care, or they have an intern handle it. It’s been a disappointing fall for me with Sage since 2017 or so, as their design, quality, and general autograph selection has suffered.

Later I got him on this Panini Legacy card after the Roughnecks game. He was very cool about signing that one. Great card here, and the design is regally Art Nouveau.

I made this XFL custom card of TJ. It took me a few iterations to get to this design and I love it. I think these cards really exude the look and theme of the XFL 2023. When he looked at the card, he said, “Ah! You’re the card guy! I’ll get you when I come back out in a few minutes…” I hunkered down hiding out in the stadium against the protests of the ushers there and was able to get him on my sweet custom. I also gave him a few to keep as thanks.

AAF, Arena, NFL, XFL

Folkerts, Brian

Topps XFL 2020, #41

CARD: Topps XFL 2020
ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas V Arlington Renegades

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Brian Folkerts played college ball for tiny Washburn University from 2008-11.
  • During that time for the Ichabods, Folkerts played both RT and LT for the school.
  • Although possessing the ideal size (6’4″, 306), he’d go unselected in the 2012 NFL Draft.
  • After being cut by the Saints in 2012, Folkerts joined the Arena Football League, playing FB for the San Jose Sabrecats in 2013.
  • He followed that up with a stint playing for the Carolina Panthers from 2013-15.
  • After a short stint with both the ‘9ers and Rams in 2015, Brian rejoined the Panthers briefly again in 2017.
  • Sprained his ankle in the preseason and was cut.
  • In 2019, signed with the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football.
  • Played C and blocked up front for one of the league’s better ground games.
  • After the AAF folded, Brian was selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL in 2020.
  • With COVID scrambling the XFL before the season concluded, Brian stayed in playing shape.
  • In 2023, was selected by the Arlington Renegades of the XFL 3.0.
  • Has been dabbling in coaching since COVID and in the XFL offseason works as an OL coach for Wingate University in North Carolina.

NOTES:

I was partially miffed and shocked at how many Commanders and former AAFers ended up with the Renegades in 2023. I packed a bunch of Renegade players cards along with my Kenneth Farrow’s, and while Kenneth was signing, both Brian and De’Vante Bausby came over to pay high respects to my Farrow Commanders jersey. I was extremely flattered.

Later my neighbors with me at the game, got field passes for after the game to wander around. They had enough for 5, and invited me, so I said, “Why not?” I rushed the field for a few autographs, and saw Brian standing there with his family taking photos. He was gracious enough to sign his card, take a photo with me, and talk about the Alliance and the Commanders with me. (He also agreed that the league was second to none as far as entertainment was concerned.)

After the game I posted this photo up on Twitter. (I didn’t realize how nice the Renegades icy whites look up close.) He also retweeted it and again had nothing to say but high praises of the Commanders faithful.

With the Commanders gone and the Brahmas reeling, the Renegade players were doing their hardest sell to adopt me.

AAF, Arena, WLAF, XFL

No Limits Soldier

CARD: Topps AAF 2019 Certified Hack
ACQUIRED: IP, 2022

NOTES:

Stephen and I go back in football heritage to the very beginning of my Spring fandom. It all started with the Hail Storm game back with the San Antonio Riders in the World League in 1992. As the teams were driven from the field by the wind and hail just seconds before halftime, the field was flooded, and we were left with no halftime show. Enter Stephen.

He ran down onto the soggy field and grabbed a football and ran for the end zone, dodging security along the way. As we cheered him on, he built up a head of steam, grabbed a football and hydroplaned in for a score. As the security finally nabbed Stephen, the crowd grew angry and started booing his apprehension. He’d be escorted off the field, where he got a stay of execution from none other than Rider owner Larry Benson. According to legend Larry claimed that there was no reason to escort Stephen from the stadium, as he saved the team money, and was the best half-time entertainment they had all season. -High praise considering the frisbee catching dog came back twice that year for halftime.

Stephen and I didn’t see each other again until 2014, when he was a flag waving fan at Talons games that I attended that year in SA at the Alamodome. At that point, he’d sat through all the San Antonio teams that had come and gone.

But, it wasn’t until 2018, when Stephen and I finally came full circle. With former Riders head coach Mike Riley being named coach of the San Antonio AAF team, I thought it’d be great if I broke out my San Antonio Riders hat. As I entered the Alamodome for the AAF San Antonio franchise’s grand revealing, I ran right into Stephen also wearing his Riders hat! We immediately started chatting and realized we had a lot in common and he was surprised I remembered the Hail Storm game.

From there, he invited me to his tailgate, and then he revealed himself to me as superfan NO LIMITS SOLDIER! He was front row on the home side end zone, and got a lot of love from the team, most notably when the Joey Mbu recoverd a fumble for a TD in the endzone.

After the AAF folded, I made this card of him, thinking about the old times with the Commanders. Stephen loved it, and after I sent it to him, he signed one for me when we caught up at the San Antonio Brahmas Fan Meet & Greet in 2023. He moved on, and is now a founding member of the BRAHMAS DESTRUCTION CREW.