Dustin didn’t really any playing time besides some relief duty in the Commanders’ romp over the Hotshots in Arizona, but as he was the team’s #1 pick, he got all the accoutrements afforded to him such as a trading card and a jersey. -The jersey was probably a life lesson to a lot of people. Before the team even hit the field, there were people buying them anticipating the Vaughan era to begin in SA, but the team and league were very quiet about the starting lineup. It wasn’t until actual game day that it was revealed that Woodside was the starter. I just remember how surreal it was walking around the outside of the stadium and people were buying and wearing these hundred dollar jerseys of a guy who didn’t even start a game.
Card: Topps AAF Now 2.17.19 , Topps AAF 2019, Topps AAF 2019 Certified, Panini Contenders 2016, Topps AAF Now 3.2.19, Topps XFL 2020 Acquired: IP 2019, SA Commanders Team Signing Dick’s Sporting Goods at The Rim, IP 2023, SA Brahmas v Arlington Renegades Failure: TTM 2019, C/o The Miami Dolphins
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Kenneth Farrow II played college ball for The University of Houston from 2012-15.
His best collegiate season came in 2014, rushing for 1042 yards on 186 carries- scoring 14 TDs.
Over Farrow’s college career he had 560 carries for 2980 yards and 34 TDs rushing, to go along with 74 catches for 546 yards and 3 TDs- in 48 contests.
Signed with San Diego following the 2016 NFL Draft.
Fought his way onto the roster and was 3rd on the depth chart at RB for the Chargers.
Dressed for 13 contests, starting 2, rushing for 192 yards on 60 carries.
Spent the end of 2016, and all of 2017 on IR.
Waived by team in 2018, and joined the Patriots for about a month during the regular season.
Kenneth has a lot of great Spring football cards, and I wanted him on all of them. As I love my runningbacks, he was one of my favorite Commanders. When the league folded I ran out to a Chinese version of EBay and got a bunch of custom Commanders jerseys made. I was very excited to add Kenneth’s jersey to my collection (see photo). The problem was that it didn’t have the ‘II’ on the back- even though I requested it. It’s the effort that counts though.
Topps AAF 2019, #152Topps XFL 2020, #8
I had been following Kenneth since his days with the Commanders, and I did this piece of art for him. He liked it so much, he promised me he’d give me his autograph at an event in the future- if he ever made it back around to this area. I bode my time.
Eventually he returned to the XFL 3.0 with the Arlington Renegades. When the team cut him before the season, I thought to myself, “Oh well,” But lo and behold two weeks before the Brahmas meeting with the Renegades, Arlington resigned him. I knew this was my best shot.
I look like a crazy person but Kenneth’s got it goin’ on.
I gave him a gentle nudge on Twitter with the picture, then took some photos of myself in my jersey. He liked it before the game, so I knew I had a good shot. When I got to the stadium, I snuck around to the visitors side of the stadium, eventually settling in where I was in view of him near the front of the visitors entrance stands.
Boom! He caught a pass and came rumbling over. “I see you! Thank-you for being a fan! I’ll get you after warm ups and sign anything you want!” Then he rolled off again. Everyone around me was pretty floored.
True to his word he came back after warm-ups concluded. He signed all the remaining cards I needed of him, and I gave him the art I made of him. We reminisced about the best of times with the Commanders briefly, before Brian Folkerts came over and De’Vante Bausby piped in about how classy my jersey was. It was great! Like a mini reunion. I was so elated. I felt so appreciated and I know the feeling was mutual.
Even though the Brahmas lost the game, I felt like a big winner that day.
Unfortunately during a play where Kenneth was plowing ahead for a big gain, he was tackled and injured. At some point enough is enough and with the injuries he’s sustained over the years, he’s lucky to still have it. After his surgical procedure he announced his very well earned retirement from the sport. Onward and upward!
Kenneth is a founding member of the UFPA (United Football Players Association)- An advisory board of players that specializes in helping players and unions outside the NFL and CFL negotiate union contracts with their leagues.
Literal man-mountain at 6’7″, 295, originally signed by the Houston Texans out of Pitt in 2018.
Joined the San Antonio Commanders of the AAF in 2019, quickly establishing himself as a fan favorite.
Starting all the games, blocked up front for one of the league’s best ground games.
After the league shuttered, spent time with NFL teams in Miami, San Fransisco, Las Vegas, and Baltimore.
Started 3 games with the Raiders (2020) and a game with the Ravens (2021).
NOTES:
After the AAF announced that it was folding, Jaryd showed up at one of the fan organized Commanders ‘going away parties’ thanking fans and saying goodbye at one of the local bars.
I wrote Jaryd care of the Ravens and he was nice enough to sign this card and put the inscription, ” ‘Manders Baby!” on it for me.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
