Card: Top Notch Talons 2014
Acquired: 2014 IP, San Antonio Talons vs New Orleans Voodoo

I went to the San Antonio Talons Season Ticket Holders Party in San Antonio earlier in the year, where I got the autographs of many of the players on my custom cards. The next thing I knew I was surrounded by a cadre of big men, led by Colton, who complained about me not having a card of them. Being the fair guy I am I exchanged contact information with Colton and promised him that I’d crank out a card of him before he knew it. I got to work and before I knew it, I had made cards for nearly the 2014 team- front and back. The next game I could make it down to was the Barnstormers event, -so I was in for a long wait.  In the meantime I networked out to other players on the team on Twitter and prepared to have some fun.

When I arrived at the Barnstormers game, I got tickets in the area called the “player’s endzone’. That is the nickname for the side of the field where the players have their seating areas at. It’s a great spot if you want an upfront experience with players. I made my way down to the front of the stands and Colton came through with a beaming smile, called me by name and told me that he hadn’t forgotten me. We planned to do the exchange after the game during the autograph session, but that’s when irony would interscede. Midway through the contest, Colton, blew his knee out and had to be carted off the field. While the injury ended his 2014 season, Colton and I were able to catch up via email, and we made plans for the Voodoo game in two weeks.

Despite his injury Jones was indeed in good spirits. Let’s not lie: This is a sexy big man card. The scan just doesn’t do this card I designed justice. He was really happy to have his card, and I let him know that he was the catalyst that got me going to make cards for not only him but the rest of his teammates. He told me that when I was a rich man some day, the only thing he’d like is some royalties, but in the meantime to keep in touch.

A solid technician with a solid one-two punch, Colton started 32 games at guard under highly respected former Washington Redskin Monte Coleman at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. During his Senior season in 2011, Jones was named team captain, – a season in which he recorded 35 pancake blocks. He joined the AFL in 2013, with the Pittsburgh Power and saw action in 3 contests as a rookie.  In 2014, Colton joined the San Antonio Talons, and won the starting nod at center in training camp.