Category Archives: XFL

AAF, NFL, The Spring League, usfl, XFL

Wright, Scooby ‘Shark-Dog’

Topps AAF 2019 Certified, #AU-SW
Topps AAF 2019, #28
Topps XFL 2020, #11

CARDS: Topps AAF 2019, Topps XFL 2020, Topps AAF Certified 2019
ACQUIRED: 2019, Box Breaker. 2020, Future Considerations. TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 8/15 RECEIVED: 11/4 (81 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Scooby played LB for Arizona and saw playing time right out of the gate as a true Freshman in 2013.
  • In 3 years (27 games), he had 236 total tackles, 38 TFL, 14 sacks, and 6 FF.
  • Drafted by the Browns late in the 7th round (2016), Scooby has seen much of his NFL career on and off the practice squad.
  • Joined the Cardinals late in 2016, and was on and off the regular season squad and practice squad through 2018.
  • In 2018, Wright was a territorial allocation of the Arizona Hotshots of the AAF and played with the team during its abbreviated season in 2019 (8 tackles).
  • Spent 2019 on the practice squad of the New England Patriots.
  • 2020, saw Scoob take his game to the XFL where he played for the DC Defenders, notching 17 tackles, before the league ended operations due to COVID.
  • After playing for the Alphas of the Spring League that year, Scoob reappeared on the radar of Spring Football in 2022 with the Birmingham Stallions.
  • It was with the Stallions, Scoob etched his name into Spring Football lore.
  • He had 52 TT, 3 sacks, and 2 FF for Birmingham in ’22.
  • During the Championship game that year, Shark-Dog had a spectacular pick 6 for the go ahead score.
  • Spent 2023 on IR.

ACCOLADES:

  • USFL 2022 Defensive Player of the Week – Week 4

NOTES:

I am very glad to finally close the book on Scooby. After the Hotshots beat the Commanders in that final game, I tried to get him but he was quick to go to the locker room but I had no luck. In 2020, when he joined the Defenders, my friend Seth, offered to get his autograph at the Defenders team event. He came through in spades and I was able to get him in this beautiful gold pen.

Later Mark (Mark’s Signing Bonus), helped me out with Shark-Dog’s address. I finally got around to sending this XFL 2020 card to him, after I found out that there was going to be no USFL card of him. He was nice enough to sign both XFL 2020 cards I sent, as one was for my friend Seth.

I sorta blew it though because I had a Leaf Draft card I could’ve sent among others, but I guess I’ll just have to get him after the USFL and XFL merge.

During his time in the USFL Scooby has earned the nickname ‘Shark-dog’ based on his unique defensive celebration. As he put it to the sideline reporter: “I had to go Shark-Dog on them. Half Shark, half Dog.”

NFL, XFL

Beavers, Willie

Topps XFL 2020, #171

CARD: Topps XFL 2020
ACQUIRED: IP, XFL 2023 Championship Game

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Willie Beavers was a 4th round pick out of Western Michigan by the Minnesota Vikings in 2016.
  • Beavers has kept the dream alive and his agent busy since then, seeing tours with the Vikings, Patriots and Seahawks in 2016-’17.
  • After concluding his time with the Seahawks in 2018, spent a bit of time with the Bears as well that year.
  • After a short stint with the 9ers in 2019, played for the XFL Dallas Renegades in 2020.
  • Great film allowed him to return to the NFL, where Willie got practice squad for the Falcons later that year and into 2021.
  • Signed with the Commanders in ’22, but was injured and released.
  • Returned to the XFL to play with the Arlington Renegades in 2023, starting 5 contests.

NOTES:

The Renegades had just pulled off a huge upset in the XFL Championship game over the Defenders, and after the celebration at midfield, Dallas players were rightfully a combination of delirious, elated, and exhausted. Willie was slowly milling off the field, and as the throng of people around me called him over, he didn’t budge until I called him by name. He slowly ambled over took selfies and signed a card for me. I told him how much I appreciate every one of them and to keep living the dream!

NFL, XFL

Ward, Hines (3)

CARDS: Topps Rookies & Stars Longevity 2004, Score 2010
ACQUIRED: In Person, 2023

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • See Also Hines Ward, Hines Ward (2)
  • Brahmas finished 3-7 in first season under Hines in 2023.
  • After the season, refused to sign updated contract, and quit the league.

NOTES:

Before the XFL season began the team had a meet and greet with fans at Alamo Brewing Company. Alongside Hines were a few players, who were obviously team captains. I had 3 cards, but Hines only signed 2. There were a lot of people there and I didn’t want to press my luck for more at the time. The humidity was pretty high for the time and I guess these autographs didn’t stick as well as they should. I was a bit disappointed, but the autographs look better in person than scanned in here.