Tag Archives: score 2018

NFL, University of Texas

Johnson, Derrick ‘DJ’ (4)

CARDS: Panini UT 2016 Honors, Score 2018, UT Upper Deck 2011 HACK, Upper Deck 2008, Panini Select 2014, Donruss 2018, SP 2008,
ACQUIRED: In Person, 2024

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

Well I had run into DJ at the food court when I was getting Bo Jackson at Barton Creek a few years ago, and got pants down without any cards. I hadn’t done a hard target search of cards for him that I liked up to that point, and then the idea came to me to just expand and turn the Upper Deck UT 2011 set into a ‘living set’. Afterwards I found a few cards that I liked, and waited for the next in person signing. Eventually the wait paid off, and my friend Mark G came through with a stack of extras when the event came up.

A local Cadillac dealer held an in person event in late August. It was a very nice little event. Both Mark and Jeff and his family came out. The regulars were in force, but it wasn’t too awkward or overwhelming. DJ came in early and just started signing. He also answered a lot of questions.

On being a Raider? He smiled and said it was a cash grab, and that they were seeing if there was still anything left in the tank. He also talked about LaDanian Tomlinson being the most difficult player for him to tackle, and that he just had this clever combination of size, speed and power- and he loved to talk smack to DJ since they were both from Waco. I shared my connection to DJ and he was surprised that he knew the street that my Grandparents lived on and I visited. All in all it was a very good event. Everyone left with everything they wanted signed.

I got 14 cards. So why aren’t there 14 cards pictured here? Simple: I gave half of them away. Why? Because I like sharing in the joy I have for this hobby. I run a very small, tight knit, autograph group. It’s unique and different than the other groups on Facebook and to those who participate and make it unique- I want to pay it forward.

NFL, XFL

Benkert, Kurt

Panini Prestige 2018, #271
Panini Luminance 2018, #157
Score 2018, #356
Panini Absolute 2018, #143

CARDS: Score 2018, Panini Absolute Football 2018, Panini Luminance 2018, Panini Prestige 2018
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 4/25 RECEIVED: 5/12 (23 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • 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.

NFL, ufl, XFL

Burnett, Deontay

Panini Contenders 2018 GameDay Ticket, #31
Score 2018, #386

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.