Ah my friend, The Legendary Knight. I remember watching those AAF games. They were a blast. Whenever the Atlanta Legends would come on, they had to show their greatest fan: The Legendary Knight. He fought hard for his team even if he was only there to witness one win against the Arizona Hotshots. The camera loved it, and showed him on TV at every instance. He was their (un)official mascot.
The brave Knight and I talked from time to time over Twitter. He spoke in elegant Shakespearean prose and he was also kind enough to provide the background to many of the Legends’ battles over the course of the 8 games.
He was very touched by my gesture of cards, and sent me back this one autographed. He donned his armor to honor me one last time and sent me a limited edition Legendary Knight t-shirt.
When I talk about leagues- again, the AAF was where it was at. Not only did it provide the best entertainment, it brought fans together from all over the world- or at least Atlanta.
After a year at Louisville, and then Torrance JC, Matt Simms transferred to Tennessee for 2010.
He threw for 1460 yards and 8 TDs while completing 113 of 195 pass attempts.
After going unselected during the 2012 NFL Draft, he’d sign a free agent contract with the New York Jets, and spent the season on and off the practice squad roster and futures list.
Simms saw a promising preseason in 2013, and then later threw his first professional football TD late in the season.
After seeing limited playing time again in the 2014 season, the team drafted two quarterbacks during the 2015 NFL Draft.
Simms would be claimed off of waivers in 2015 by the Buffalo Bills.
He’d join the Falcons practice squad after that and be on and off the team’s practice squad through 2017- when he was released with an injury settlement.
Matt was selected during the second round of the ‘Protect or Pick’ AAF QB draft by the Atlanta Legends.
The Legends went back and forth all season between Matt and former Georgia star Aaron Murray.
Threw for 842 yards and 2 TDs (8 INT) on 79 of 132 passes for Atlanta.
After the AAF collapsed in 2019, Matt resigned with the Falcons, but was placed on IR soon thereafter, ending his season and his career.
NOTES:
Great autograph and card. Love the ‘Caesar-esque’ pose. Matt comes from a solid line of QB bloodlines, with his father Phil and brother Chris, both playing in the NFL at the position as well. I took a shot on Matt on his Topps AAF base card at his parent’s house back in 2019, thinking he’d open it over Christmas- but going on 3 years now, no dice.
Played QB two years at Virginia Tech, putting up modest stats, throwing for 3279 yards and 21 TDs (12 INT), and 1216 yards rushing on 223 carries (17 TDs) over two years (99-00)
With the Chargers trading out of the first overall pick to Atlanta, the Falcons made Vick the first overall pick of the 2000 NFL Draft.
Immediately displayed fleet feet, reminiscent of Randall Cunningham, rushing for for 289 yards on 31 carries (9.1 ypc) in rookie season.
Ran for 777 yards (2001) and 902 (2004).
Started first 16 game slate in 2006- rushing for a career high 1031 yards, while passing for 20 TDs and 2,472 yards.
Career came to an abrupt halt as he was suspended for dog fighting in 2007.
After two year suspension concluded, signed with the Eagles in 2009.
Became starter in 2010, and posted a career high in completion percentage (62.6), TDs (21), passer rating (100.2), and rushing TDs (9).
In 2011, threw for a career high 3,303 yards, 423 attempts, and 253 completions.
Entered a very short journeyman phase of his career playing for the Jets (2014) and Steelers (2015).
Signed a one day contract to retire with the Atlanta Falcons in 2017.
Before the season began, Vick was reassigned to Advisor, and by the start of the season was oddly pushed out the door.
ACCOLADES:
First African American QB taken #1 overall in the NFL Draft
NFL Comeback Player of the Year 2010
Pro Bowl 2002, 04-05, 10
Archie Griffin Award 1999
First Team All-American 1999
Bert Bell Award 2010
NFL record most yards rushing (career) by a QB
NFL record most yards rushing (single season) by a QB
NFL record career yards per carry
NFL QB record 173 yards rushing (single game)
Topps AAF 2019, #7
NOTES:
I mean, I knew Vick would be nearly impossible to get TTM so I went ahead and just plunked down two cards for a reasonable paid signing. That’s when things went awry as Vick didn’t finish signing the cards he’d agreed to do through the promoter. While he did sign my cards, you can just tell based off the autographs, he just didn’t care.
If there’s any former player who should be trying to endear himself more to fans- especially after supporting dog fighting– I mean it should be Mike Vick.
In regards to Mike’s short stint in the AAF. It was a big deal that he was going to be working as the offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Legends under Brad Childress. Then everything went sideways in ATL. Childress already seeing things weren’t looking good or finding greener pastures hit the road. About a month later, Vick was no longer coaching the offense, and was reassigned as an adviser. Reading the tea leaves, leads ones to believe that Mike just didn’t have the time to devote to the fledgling team that they needed. He made a token appearance during halftime of a home game, briefly popping up to the delight of fans, and the AAF cameras that definitely got him on film.
ATT
COMP
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
3217
1807
22464
56.2
133
88
80.4
RUSH
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
873
6109
7.0
36
61
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
