Card: Topps AAF 2019 Acquired: In Person 2019, Houston Roughnecks/ Tampa Bay Vipers Scrimmage
MIcah Hannemann was a 3 year starter at Safety for BYU between 2015 and 2017. He posted 123 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 tackle for loss, 14 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, and 4 interceptions for 75 yards and a TD.
After being on the off-season rosters of both the Browns and Chargers, Micah signed with the Salt Lake City Stallions of the Alliance of American Football. He played in 7 games, starting 4, recording 22 total tackles, for the Stallions stout defense.
With the demise of the AAF, Hannemann was selected by the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL 2020 in the 6th round of phase 4. Over 5 games Micah posted 28 total tackles, before the XFL was cancelled due to COVID.
One of the first players I caught coming off the field on the Vipers’ side of the field was Micah. He was kind enough to sign my card and thanked me for being a fan of the AAF. We talked for a minute about the league and the Stallions before we went our separate ways.
Cards: Topps AAF 2019 Certified, Topps AAF 2019 Acquired: 2019, EBay. IP 2020, Houston Roughnecks /Tampa Bay Vipers Joint Practice
A 3 year starter for Eastern Michigan at linebacker, Ike Spearman medical redshirted his 2015 season, granting him a 5th year of eligibility. He’d play for them from 2012-2017, posting 179 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, and a forced fumble.
Ike joined the Alliance of American Football in 2019. He’d sign with the Birmingham Iron and start 1 game, posting 8 tackles and 3 assists for the team before the league folded. Afterwards he’d join the XFL Tampa Bay Vipers for the 2020 season.
Noticing that players from the Vipers had their gear against the wall, I waited patiently for them to finish practice and come over. Ike was one of the first players over, and he gladly signed this card for me. Early in February though, Ike suffered an injury and was placed on the Vipers injured reserve.
Card: Topps AAF NOW 2019 Acquired: IP 2020, Houston Roughnecks/ Tampa Bay Vipers Joint Practice See Also: De’Veon Smith
After spending a short stint with the Redskins in 2018, De’Veon took his talents to the Alliance of American Football in 2019. He signed with the Orlando Apollos for the season. He quickly entered the league record books, scoring the AAF’s first rushing TD in a 40-6 drubbing of the Atlanta Legends.
De’Veon was part of a 3-headed monster for the Orlando Apollos league leading offense. A compact runner, with a low center of gravity, he finished 6th in the league rushing with 75 carries for 345 yards and 3 TDs. His best game came against Birmingham when he ran 14 times for 119 yards and a 40 yard long.
In 2020, Smith joined the XFL Tampa Bay Vipers. When I heard the Roughnecks were doing a joint practice with the Roughnecks, I gambled I could get his autograph on this card. After practice he almost escaped, but I was able to flag him down. He came over and kindly signed my card and we exchanged pleasantries about the Commanders game that Orlando won that AAF season. He then helped me flag down Tarean Folston who I also really wanted.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
