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.
CARDS: Sage 2016 Artistry, Panini Contenders Draft Picks 2016 Gameday ACQUIRED: TTM 2017, C/o The Denver Broncos. IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas V. Houston Roughnecks SENT: 8/1/2017 RECEIVED: 1/8/2024 (2351 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Paxton Lynch played QB at Memphis from 2012-2015.
Was the starting QB from 2013-2015.
Posted a Memphis record 2014 outing with 22 TD (259/413) for 3031 yards.
Also ran for 321 yards on 113 carries and 13 rushing TDs.
In 2015, shattered his previous mark going 296/443 for 3776 yards and 28 TDs to just 4 picks.
Set a school single game record with 447 yards passing against Tulsa in 2015.
Selected in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft (26th) by the Denver Broncos.
Was 2nd string QB to open season behind Trevor Siemian his rookie year, seeing action in a few games as an injury replacement.
In 2017, a good portion of his season was marred by injury, as he sat behind Brock Osweiler.
Inexplicably would be cut in the preseason during 2018.
Cut during final roster cuts by the Seahawks in 2019.
Spent 2019 on the practice squad and roster of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Cut during final roster cuts by the Steelers in 2020.
Was with the Saskatchewan Roughriders from mid-2021 to early 2022.
Signed with the Michigan Panthers of the USFL in 2022, but was ruled out due to a leg injury.
Joined the Orlando Guardians of the XFL in 2023, and was initially the starter- but would be benched in favor of Quinten Dormandy.
Cut- he’d be signed later on that same day by the San Antonio Brahmas, but didn’t see any action the rest of the season.
Left exposed by the Brahmas after the dispersal draft when the XFL and USFL merged.
SAGE Artistry 2016, #ART15
NOTES:
I sent out to Paxton way, way back in 2017 while he was still on the Broncos hoping to get his autograph on these two cards. In the meantime, he’s had a wild ride around professional leagues, eventually landing in the XFL with San Antonio. I had an extra of his Gameday card, and was able to get his autograph after the team lost an overtime thriller to the Roughnecks.
He was signing behind the player bench, and was amused by the level of fandom he was witnessing. A mother begged Paxton for a used, sweaty towel for her son, who wanted something to remember this by. His response was both shock and amazement, and he said, “Sure?” At that time he penned this Panini Contenders Gameday card.
About a week or two later, I saw him at the Purple Heart event with the team in Boerne. As players kept coming up and talking to me because of my San Diego Fleet jersey, I didn’t get around to everybody I wanted. I had hoped to square Paxton away on a card or two more.
Lo and behold though- nearly 6 1/2 years later- Paxton signed these two cards for me from his days with the Broncos. I immediately gave the duplicate Gameday card to another fan who didn’t get one back from him C/o the Brahmas, and added his Sage Artistry that I wanted to the collection.
As Paxton was not retained by the Brahmas during the UFL player draft in 2024, I’m going to make a soft bet that this was Paxton’s retirement song as the timing of these cards couldn’t have been more perfect.
I myself, admittedly, had hoped that the Houston Texans would draft Paxton Lynch. He had some amazing tape coming out of college. I do not know why Lynch wasn’t able to stick his landing in professional football though I’d guess it might have to do with him relying too much on his athleticism and not enough on learning the playbook.
Jordan Leslie played college ball for 3 years at UTEP from 2011-2013.
He racked up 125 catches for 2015 yards and 15 TDs.
In 2014, he played his Senior season for BYU catching 55 passes for 779 yards and 6 TDs.
Undrafted, Leslie signed with the Vikings in 2015, but didn’t make the squad.
He’d then spend time on the off-season and practice squad rosters of the Jaguars, Falcons, and Titans, before finding a home on the Browns from 2016-17.
Leslie made his first NFL catch in 2017, and then was later placed on IR and subsequently released.
After some more practice squad and offseason action with the Broncos in late 2017 and through a good portion of 2018, Jordan decided to sign with the Salt Lake Stallions of the AAF.
On the season he caught 10 passes for 79 yards and a TD.
When the AAF folded in 2019, he signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL, but asked to be released soon thereafter.
His Instagram lists him as a ‘retired NFL receiver’ and owner of OYD Sports Academy in Chandler, AZ.
NOTES:
Pretty sure after the conclusion of the hard fought contest between the Stallions and the Commanders in SA, as I was leaving I was walking behind Leslie and his family. He was complaining about how the team wasn’t giving him or the WRs enough chances to make plays. Not sure why I didn’t ask him for his autograph but it may have been because he was so frustrated.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
