CARDS: Topps XFL 2020, Sage 2015, Panini Prestige 2015 ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o The Washington Commanders SENT: 8/22/22 RECEIVED: 4/1/23 (222 days) FAILURE: TTM 2020, C/o The Washington Football Club
No clue as to why I didn’t get the cards I sent out in 2020 back from Taylor. He was signing at a really good click and I guess that’s the luck of the draw right? I reloaded and waited until a better time- which appeared in 2022. He became sort of a folk hero for the Commanders over the last few years, but the team opted not to resign him after the ’22 season, so he packed his bags and headed out for Atlanta. I figured these cards were lost as well but eventually they made their way back to me.
Taylor has seen stops with the Texans, Panthers and Washington since his time as a rookie in Minnesota. In 2020 he joined the XFL and was widely expected to be a star in the young league, but got beat to the punch by Jordan Ta’Amu. Despite not seeing almost any playing time in the XFL 20, Taylor is considered one of the more ‘famous’ success stories of that league.
Taylor Heinicke turned Colonial Athletic Association Old Dominion into a contender with his arm, and a school record 11,483 career passing yards and 102 touchdown passes. He was also an adept runner and handled punting duties from time to time. In 2013, Taylor threw for a record 730 passing yards, which stands as a Division I record. Despite this, Taylor’s draft analysis did not stand up well, with many scouts also knocking his size. He went unselected in the 2015 NFL draft. Although he was courted by the Falcons, Taylor felt more like he had a chance going to Minnesota. Taylor called it, “A dream come true,” to play in the NFL and for the Vikings. Heinike had a great camp and preseason going 27 of 41 for 279 yards and two touchdowns in the preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans. Comfortable with incumbent Teddy Bridgewater and Shaun Hill moving forward, Minnesota cut Christian Ponder. While Taylor has not dressed for any games, he looks to challenge 14 year veteran Shaun Hill in the near future for the backup job.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
