A tweener with the ability to line up at DE or OLB, Jake Pugh played for FSU from 2014-’17.
Seeing action in 36 games over his college career, he recorded 108 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 4 pass deflections, 3 fumble recoveries- of which he returned 1 for a TD.
Considered an EDGE in the pros, he went undrafted but saw some preseason action with the Seattle Seahawks in 2018.
He then joined the Orlando Apollos of the AAF in 2019.
Unfortunately he sustained a neck injury before the first game of the season and didn’t see any action that season.
In 2020, he’d play for the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL.
Then he tried his hand in the CFL with the Stampeders in 2022 but didn’t make the squad.
So right after I got De’Veon on a few cards at the Roughnecks event way, way back in 2020, the XFL Topps set was released. In 2023, when the Brahmas played the Renegades in SA, I finally figured out my strategy for getting autographs, but it was only after the Renegades game that I settled in. It’s pretty much worked like a charm since.
After the Brahmas beat the Renegades, I was able to get De’Veon to come over. Any of the players who were ex-AAFers gravitated towards me to give me props. De’Veon for example played for Orlando.
I also reminded him that I was that fan that flagged him down at the scrimmage that the Vipers had against the Roughnecks back in 2020. He smiled widely and said, “I REMEMBER YOU!!!” We exchanged pleasantries and I tried to get his glove off of him but he had already promised it to the kids across the way. No big deal. Next year!
He rushed 366 times for 1790 yards and 17 TDs, and caught 47 passes for 356 yards and a TD.
Patrick was selected by the Tampa Bay Vipers in the 2020 XFL Draft.
He ran 60 times for 254 yards and 2 TDs, and caught 5 passes for 45 yards.
Jacques ran for 108 yards on 21 carries (1 TD), in a 25-0 win over the Defenders in week 4.
After the league collapsed due to COVID, Jacques spent the next two years on and off the rosters and practice rosters of the Bengals, ‘9ers, Panthers, and Ravens.
In 2022, Jacques was the first round pick of the San Antonio Brahmas.
Initially he split time with Kalen Ballage, but took over the starting role after an injury sidelined Kalen for the season early on.
Best game came against Houston, rushing for 96 yards on 16 carries and a TD in week 8.
Followed that up with a solid 20 carry, 80 yard effort (TD), while securing 5 catches for 50 yards against the Guardians, the following week.
In 10 games Patrick rushed 115 times for 443 yards (5 TDs), and caught 30 passes for 238 yards for the Brahmas.
Signed with the Broncos after the season, and is currently on the practice squad of the Tennessee Titans.
NOTES:
I mean, wow, of the 85 cards and variants of cards that Jacques had, he didn’t have but a handful of unsigned cards. On top of that, he had just one XFL card- A very, very low print Topps XFL Now 2020 card that demands way too much on the secondary market. I went ahead and printed out some great looking photos of him that Jacques was more than happy to sign for me.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
