I was genuinely surprised to get McLeod’s autograph back on his parallel card after such a long wait. It had been so long that I had just given up in general on it after I had seen a few successes on him trickle in but nothing for me. Maybe he thought he mailed it out or the mailman lost it at the facility and delivered it months or a year later.. Who knows? But he was kind enough to drop the extra UD CFL card in for me.
CARDS: Upper Deck UFL 2025 Dual Autographs, XFL 2023 ACQUIRED: Epack 2025 IP 2025, San Antonio Brahmas v DC Defenders
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Abram Smith played college ball at Baylor from 2018-’21.
He battled adversity through injury and a position change, before returning to RB for his 2021 campaign.
There he rushed 257 times for 1,601 yards and 12 TDs for the Bears, setting the school’s single season rushing record.
After going undrafted, he’d be signed by the New Orleans Saints in 2022.
Cut, Smith was the overall #1 pick of the DC Defenders during the 2023 XFL Draft.
Over the course of the XFL ’23 season, Abram ran for 788 yards and 6 TDs.
Signed with the Vikings after the season, but didn’t make the squad.
Returned to the Defenders, but tore his ACL before the season, ending his 2024 campaign.
Resigned with DC for the ’25 campaign and rushed for 285 yards and a TD on 101 carries.
ACCOLADES:
All XFL 2023
NOTES:
I got Abram at almost the same time I got Malik Fisher. Abram didn’t seem all too enthusiastic even though I gave him a custom to keep, but still I was happy to get the XFL ’23’s leading rusher on a card.
I mean I still need Mike on a few more cards but him appearing at Baylor or anywhere near me for an alumni event is slim to none so I just picked up this certified autograph via the secondary market at a value price. I still would like to get his autograph on 3-4 more cards for set needs and historical purposes.
What’s interesting about this certified autograph is that it is his full autograph. The one I got a few years ago on his Action Packed Rookies & Stars 1992 is his short autograph, while the autograph I have of him on his Action Packed 1989 may well end up being a secretarial.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
