After transferring from East Carolina, QB Kurt Benkert got the starting nod at Virginia in 2016.
In 2017, he went 298/509, for 3,207 yards, and 25 TDs to just 9 picks.
He signed as an UDFA with the Atlanta Falcons in 2018 and spent a good time of the season on their practice squad that year.
He spent 2019 on IR with a toe injury sustained in preseason.
Waived in 2020, he then spent the season with the Saints primarily on their practice squad.
In 2021, Benkert joined the Packers, also seeing time on the practice squad.
The 49ers had him for 2022 on and off their practice squad.
Kurt was assigned to the Houston Roughnecks in 2023 to play in the XFL, but refused to report.
After the injury bug hit the San Antonio Brahmas, the team traded for Benkert and he quickly saw the field in 2 contests.
Unfortunately he broke his ribs against the Vipers and was placed on IR.
He opted to retire from the sport in August of that year.
With the Roughnecks staff essentially replacing the Brahmas in 2024, there was renewed interest in keeping Benkert, but it is unknown whether or not he even attended camp.
NOTES:
I went to all the San Antonio Brahmas games in 2023, but since Benkert got a crash course on the offense, came in for Renegades contest, quickly got injured the next week and was not heard from again- I wasn’t able to get his autograph on these cards.
After the Brahmas signed him, I was peppered with Facebook football 101s on how to understand football concepts (basic and advanced) for fans and aspiring Madden players from Kurt, so I decided to buy one. Nestled in the downloadable program, was his address, so I shot these 4 out and he kindly signed them for me.
CARDS: Panini Contenders Season Ticket 2018, Score 2018 ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas v Houston Roughnecks
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Played for USC from 2015-’17 at WR.
Had a dominating Junior season posting 86 receptions for 1114 yards and 9 TDs.
Signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2018 but did not make the squad.
Spent time on and off the practice squad and regular season roster of the New York Jets in 2018.
Saw sporadic play with the Jets that season catching 10 passes for 143 yards.
Waived in 2019, and spent some time later in the year on the practice squad of the 49ers.
Joined the Eagles near the end of the year, and saw some action catching 2 passes for 48 yards.
During the ’20 season, he bounced on and off the starting roster, collecting another 3 catches for 19 yards.
Joined the XFL in 2022 playing for the Houston Roughnecks in the 2023 season.
On the year he caught 27 passes for 378 yards, and was good for 6 TDs including an 85 yarder.
Selected by the Arlington Renegades during the 2024 UFL Dispersal Draft.
For 2024 he had 33 catches for 306 yards and 2 TDs.
The Cowboys signed Burnett to a contract in late July.
ACCOLADES:
All XFL 2023
NOTES:
I really wanted Deontay because I love the Panini college GameDay inserts. I called out Deontay and he had no problem coming over and signing a few cards for me before the Roughnecks entered the tunnel after pregame practice had been concluded. I knew I was off to a fast start at my spot next to the visitor’s entrance.
CARDS: Topps AAF Now 2019, Topps AAF 2019, Topps XFL 2020 ACQUIRED: In Person 2023, Houston Roughnecks v. San Antonio Brahmas FAILURE: TTM 2019, C/o New York Jets. TTM 2020, C/o Home
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Brandon Silvers played QB at Troy from 2014-2017.
Threw for 10,677 yards, 71 TDs, 29 picks, and 64.4% completions, with a 135.8 passer rating.
Finished second in school history in TDs and yards.
Had a tryout with the Saints following the 2018 NFL Draft but was not signed.
Was selected in the 3rd round by the Memphis Express during the AAF Quarterback Protect or Pick Draft in 2019.
Silvers faced an uphill battle behind Troy Cook, Christian Hackenberg, and Zach Mettenberger.
Cook was quickly out of the picture, with Hack taking over as starter and Silvers sliding in behind him.
Supplanted due to ineffectiveness, Silvers took over as starter but was quickly injured.
Mettenberg competently guided the Apollos until he was injured against the Stallions.
Silvers returned to the lineup with a vengeance in Week 6.
The Express in the meantime signed former NFL QB Johnny Manziel, who was chomping at the bit to take the reins from Brandon.
Silvers refused to relinquish his starting role, leading the team to an exciting win in OT over the Birmingham Iron in Week 7.
He’d then give the Apollos all they could handle in a 34-31 loss, before the league collapsed after their week 8 matchup.
Silvers briefly was on the radar of the Jets, seeing some off season time with them later that year.
In 2020, Brandon joined the XFL, playing for the Seattle Dragons under head coach Jim Zorn.
He’d throw for 539 yards and 6 TDs on 102 attempts.
2021 saw him play for the Conquers of The Spring League, and then went unselected in the 2022 USFL Supplemental Player Draft.
Silvers returned to the XFL for 2023, as a member of the Houston Roughnecks.
He threw for 13 TDs and 1551 yards on 156 completions (262 passes) leading the Roughnecks to the playoffs.
The Roughnecks XFL roster was dispersed into the UFL draft pool for 2024.
Eventually Silvers made his way to St Louis where he backs up AJ McCarron.
ACCOLADES:
NCAA QB Freshman Record (70.5% completion rate- min. 250 passes)
Topps XFL 2020, #17Topps AAF 2019, #11
NOTES:
I have been trying to get Brandon for sometime since he had 3 cards that I wanted signed. When the Roughnecks were around in 2020 I was a big fan, but when they returned in ’23, I switched over to the Brahmas because they were closer. I was hoping that the Brahmas would grab Silvers as their quarterback but he ended up in H-Town with Wade Phillips instead.
By the time the Roughnecks came to SA, I had figured out the best spot to get autographs from which was right next to the visitors end zone where the players were coming in and going out.
After the Roughnecks defeated the Brahmas in OT, he came over and kindly signed these 3 cards for me. Like many players he really loved those times in the AAF.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
