KD Cannon set Freshman receiving records at Baylor, catching 58 passes for 1,030 yards and 8 TDs in 2014.
In 2016, he had 87 catches for 1,215 yards and 13 TDs, including a whopping 226 yards and 2 TDs on 14 receptions in the Cactus Bowl.
Undrafted in 2017, he’d spend time briefly on the rosters of the 9ers, Jets, and Rams, before landing on the practice squad of the Cowboys at the end of the season.
Waived by the Cowboys and joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2018.
Released by the Roughriders, but selected by the LA Wildcats of the XFL 2020.
Joined the XFL’s Team 9 practice squad, and then was elevated to the Seattle Sea Dragons before the season was cancelled due to COVID.
Signed by the Vegas Knight Hawks of the IPFL for the 2022 season.
Selected by the DC Defenders in the XFL 2023 draft, finishing the season on the roster of the Orlando Guardians.
During the season he’d catch 4 passes for 161 yards and 2 TDs.
With the Guardians not retained in the merger between the XFL and USFL, Cannon would be selected by the San Antonio Brahmas in 2024 during the dispersal draft.
He’d catch 1 pass for 32 yards and see light duty on returns.
Released after the season concluded.
NOTES:
I had made a card of KD thinking he might show up at one of these events and I was happy to add him alongside Speedy Stevenson on a few cards at a very, very hot event that was outside before the last game of the season. He really liked the card and I gave him the rest to keep. The additional cards I made of him didn’t arrive in time unfortunately.
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.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
