CARD: TNT XFL 2023 ACQUIRED: In Person 2023, Brahmas Purple Heart Event
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
John Parker Romo has had an interesting ride to the professional level.
First he kicked for Central Arkansas (2016), Tulsa (2018), and then finally in Virginia Tech (2019-’21).
In his lone season starting at VT, Romo hit 34 of 34 extra points, and 18 of 22 field goals for 88 total points.
Undrafted he was on the off season roster of the Saints in 2022.
In 2023 John Parker joined the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL ’23.
He’d nail 17 of 19 field goals on the season and solidify himself as the best kicker in the league.
After another off season with both the Lions and Bears in 2023, he spent 2024 on the off season roster of the Vikings.
An injury replacement for Will Reichard John was resigned by the Vikings and went 11 of 12 on field goals.
As of the time of this post, JPR is on the practice squad of the New England Patriots.
ACCOLADES:
All XFL 2023
NOTES:
I finished a slew of these XFL 2023 cards I made for the Brahmas hoping to get many of them signed before the conclusion of the season. At the Purple Heart Veterans event, the entire team showed up, but I was so overwhelmed by a few players that I was unable to get all the autographs I wanted in about 15 minutes.
I reached out to John before the event through Twitter and he responded and told me he’d love to have a card. He sought me out and kindly signed this card, while I gave him the extras to keep.
Romo has a nice little autograph that even has goal posts in it. Brilliant!
CARD: TNT XFL 2023 ACQUIRED: IP 2024, San Antonio Brahmas v Arlington Renegades
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Salvatore Cannella played TE/WR at Auburn from 2017-’19.
Oft used at the majority ground and pound school, he provided mismatches with his unusual size (6’5″, 228), speed, and hands.
He finished his college career with 25 catches for 330 yards and 5 TDs.
Undrafted, Sal played in 2020 for the TSL Generals of the Spring Football League.
He put in his all catching 5 passes for 66 yards and a TD in the Spring League Championship Game.
After a workout with the Colts, he played for the Generals again in 2021.
This led to short stints with a mini-camp at Chicago, and on the off season roster of the Dolphins that year.
The TSL retooled as the USFL, and Sal found himself as the second TE off the board in the positional phase of the league’s draft by the New Orleans Breakers in 2022.
Sal had a great season, catching 34 passes for 368 yards and a TD.
Shortly thereafter he spent roughly a month on the Packers offseason roster.
Cannella was a huge defection for the USFL, when he was drafted and signed by the Arlington Renegades of the XFL in 2023.
He finished second in receiving among TEs with 42 receptions for 415 yards, and was a key cog in the Renegades XFL Championship victory.
After offseason stints with both the Seahawks and Vikings, he resigned with the Renegades for the ’24 campaign.
Sal concluded the season with 53 catches for 497 yards and 6 TDs.
He joined the Bucs for the offseason, but didn’t make the squad.
ACCOLADES:
All USFL Team 2022
All XFL 2023
NOTES:
A little over a week before the game, I went ahead and created and ordered cards of Sal and Luis Perez. (I wasn’t going to be caught flat footed like the previous season.) I was pretty happy with the results.
When I went to the game, I arrived at my normal seats. The players were doing warmups and I flagged down Sal. He looked genuinely touched that I made a card of him and that it was of such high production value. Sal signed the card, and I let him keep the extras I had as thanks.
CARD: TNT XFL 2023 ACQUIRED: IP 2024, San Antonio Brahmas v Birmingham Stallions
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Delontae Scott played college ball at SMU from 2016-’19.
DL that had 97 career tackles, 36 TFL, 18.0 sacks, 4 FF, and a blocked FG over college career.
Appeared in 3 games over two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021-’22.
Then briefly spent roughly a month with the Panthers in late 2022.
2023 4th Round Supplemental Pick of the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL.
As a tweener, had banner year posting 36 total tackles, and 7.5 sacks.
Signed briefly with the Atlanta Falcons that year.
Then resigned late in January 2024 with the San Antonio Brahmas.
Finished ’24 with 15 total tackles and 3.5 sacks.
ACCOLADES:
All XFL 2023
Birmingham Stallions (8-0) v San Antonio Brahmas (6-2), 5/25/24 DELONTAE SCOTT TAC 2 SAC 1.0
NOTES:
Delontae Scott was the last player I got post game, after the Brahmas upset the previously unbeaten Stallions at the Alamodome. I saw him hugging his kid and talking to his wife, so I rushed around the side to get him. I got his attention when I told him I had cards of him, and he came over curiously and said, “This is pretty cool.” I told him he could have a few for his family and his eyes got pretty big. I then asked for his glove as well as an autograph, and he responded with, “Absolutely!”
After they let the season ticket holders onto the field, Delontae was one of the players who came back out to thank us for sticking with them throughout the last season and this one, as well as making a lot of noise to really frustrate the Stallions offense.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
