AAF, NFL, XFL

Wing, Brad

Topps AAF 2019, #AU-BW
Topps AAF 2019, #122

CARDS: Topps AAF 2019, Topps AAF 2019 Certified
ACQURIED: Ebay 2019, IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas v Washington Defenders

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Aussie Brad Wing played Australian Football growing up.
  • He went to college at LSU from 2012-’13 where he gained notoriety as a punter.
  • Punted 118 times for 5261 yards and a 44.8 yard average.
  • At the end of 2012, he was suspended for undisclosed rules- of which Brad admitted was continuous failed drug tests.
  • After going undrafted in 2013, he spent camp that year with the Philadelphia Eagles.
  • He’d make the squad of the Steelers the following year and see action punting in all 16 games in 2014.
  • Traded to the New York Giants in 2015 for a 7th round pick.
  • Punted for NY for the next 3 seasons and became a fan favorite.
  • Had a league high 95 punts in 2017, but also a league leading 2 blocks.
  • Signed with the Memphis Express of the AAF in 2018- for play in the 2019 season.
  • During the season he’d be cut for unknown reasons.
  • Over the next few years Brad struggled with mental health and sobriety.
  • In late 2022, the San Antonio Brahmas selected Wing to play in the XFL23.
  • He’d see action in all 10 games, and lead the league statistically across the board.
  • On the season, he had 2010 yards on 42 punts (47.2 yards per punt), and a 72 yard long punt- but was snubbed for All-XFL honors.
  • Brad signed with the Steelers in 2023, and punted in 2 contests for the team.
  • He returned to the Brahmas (now in the UFL) in 2024 where he’s a fan favorite.
  • On the season, he had 35 punts for 1598 yards, a 45.7 yard average, and 12 of those punts dropped inside the 20.
  • He entered UFL and San Antonio lore when in the 2024 opener he completed a fake punt for 40 yards to Alex Mollette who rumbled in for a TD right before the half against the DC Defenders.

NOTES:

Finally. I got Brad Wing of the Memphis Express (and Brahmas). Mark (MSB) got Brad a while ago through a family address, but I felt that I had other priorities so I waited on this one. When he got signed by the Brahmas I thought it was fortuitous, so I put his card aside. It took the entire season to nab him on his AAF base card, even though he was very friendly with fans.

When Brad was snubbed for the All XFL team in ’23 I ranted about it on Twitter. His family liked my post and agreed with me.

His father, Dave, played professionally in the NFLE for the Scottish Claymores.

NFL

Beckles, Ian

Gameday 1992, #140

CARD: Gameday 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 6/21 RECEIVED: 7/10 (19 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • After transferring from JC, Ian Beckles played offensive guard for one year at Indiana in 1989.
  • Ian grabbed the attention of scouts who watching film of fellow teammate Anthony Thompson.
  • He’d be selected by both the NFL (5th round, Bucs) and the CFL (1st round, BC Lions) in 1990.
  • Beckles became a mainstay at RG, playing in 101 games for the team.
  • In 1997, he hopped over to the Philadelphia Eagles playing for the team for two seasons.
  • He saw action in training camp with the Jets in ’99 and the Broncos in ’00 before hanging up his cleats for good.
  • Ian is active in the alternative medicine industry, and is a staunch advocate for marijuana legalization.
  • He also enjoys spending time in radio and podcasting.

NOTES:

Well I sent Ian two cards for him to sign. Unfortunately he only sent back the Gameday 1992 card, and kept the Score Supplemental. No big deal really- but the long tom format is not something that I’ve never supported on my website yearly updates.

Ah well- minor complaint, but I am sure glad to add him. He’s got a great autograph and a very nice card.

NFL

Maualuga, Rey

Score 2009, #389

CARD: Score 2009 Inscriptions
ACQUIRED: EBay, 2019

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Rey played MLB at USC from 2005-2009.
  • He was part of an incredible fearsome foursome of LBs that included Clay Matthews Jr, Brian Cushing, and Kaluka Maiava.
  • Maualuga was a second round pick of the Bengals in 2009.
  • Had best season in 2012, posting up 122 total tackles, a sack, 4 pass deflections, and a fumble recovery.
  • Signed with the Dolphins in 2017 and saw action in 6 contests.
  • Was waived after being arrested for battery of a employee at a nightclub.
  • Has not seen the field since then- and has continued to battle alcohol throughout his life.

ACCOLADES:

NOTES:

I just remember when the Texans played against the Bengals in the playoffs. At the time it was peak Texans in 2012- and Arian Foster was on full display in NRG. Foster took a handoff, blasted through a hole and left Rey there moving in slow motion. It was an incredible display of power.

Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.