CARD: Topps XFL 2020 ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas v Washington Defenders
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Santos Ramirez played defensive back at Arkansas from 2015-18.
He posted 228 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions for 58 yards and a TD, 13 pass deflections, and 5 forced fumbles over his college career for the Razorbacks.
Went unselected in the 2019 NFL Draft, but saw time as a free agent on the preseason roster of the New York Jets.
Played safety for the Seattle Dragons in the XFL 2020, posting 11 total tackles.
Returned to the XFL in 2023, starting all 10 games, and had a solid season for the DC Defenders.
Posted 46 total tackles, .5 sacks, and 2 interceptions for 47 yards, and a TD.
His 40 yard interception of Brandon Silvers for a TD was considered one of the top 5 highlights of the DC Defenders season.
NOTES:
After the game I milled around and spotted Santos out on the field with his family. I flagged him down. He was shocked he had a card and his mom asked to see it too. He was really excited to pen it, so I parlayed his autograph by asking him if he could help me get Jordan Ta’Amu too, which he nicely did for me! I’ll probably drop a few more off with his mom if I see her again. (She was pretty hot…) lol
Topps XFL 2020, #175Topps XFL 2020 Stars of the XFL, #24
CARDS: Topps XFL 2020 Green #83/99, Topps XFL 2020 Stars of the XFL ACQUIRED: TTM 2020, C/o Home SENT: 6/29/20 RECEIVED: 1/25/21 (210 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
After going undrafted in 2015, was signed by the Houston Texans as a free agent.
Had a solid preseason, but with a logger jam at TE, the Texans traded Khari to Chicago.
Cut by the Bears in 2016, joined the Lions for 2016/17.
Claimed by the Bills in 2017, but later waived in 2018.
Selected in the 5th round of the 2019 XFL Draft by the DC Defenders.
After league ended season prematurely due to COVID, Khari signed with the Falcons in 2020.
Given an injury settlement, and joined Lions briefly for second stint.
NOTES:
When Khari was drafted by the DC Defenders I knew he’d be a solid fit for the team. I thought he was going to be a good fit with the Texans, especially based on what I saw. I ended up nabbing him with one of the final picks of my XFL Fantasy Draft, and he helped my team go undefeated in 2020 catching 8 passes, with 2 of them going for 2 TDs.
He kindly signed these cards for me- but did so, much to my chagrin, on the back. Khari also sent me back an extra autographed base card, that I sent off to my friend Mark, who had received cards back from Khari, but they were unsigned.
Card: Topps AAF NOW 2019 Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Home Sent: 6/30 Received: 12/10 (163 days) See Also: AJ Tarpley
I really liked the San Diego Fleet. They had a lot of great players on the team, but among them AJ Tarpley was probably my favorite. He had already signed his card previously for me, but this AAF card of his was quite expensive at the time, so I bided my time until I could get it at a great price, and then take a shot at getting him to sign this card of his. A bittersweet card- it frames the moment when AJ dashed the Commanders perfect season hopes, as the Fleet went out on top 12-8 and never looked back.
During the dog days of COVID I was working from home and decided to pick up a jersey or two of my favorite AAF players. Since the Fleet for some reason didn’t have any specific player jerseys, I picked up one of AJ. It looks great, and I can not believe how accurate the Chinese retailer got this jersey to look like the real thing!
After the AAF folded, AJ did not have to wait long for his name to be called as he was selected by the Washington Defenders of the XFL for their 2020 season during the open portion of the league’s draft. He played in 3 games (starting 2) for DC, logging 16 total tackles.
AJ left me sweating bullets about this card, but after seeing my jersey online I got of him- it jogged his memory and he shot it back to me with a nice note thanking me for being a fan. I am eager to hopefully see him suit up again in the XFL in 2022.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
