Tag Archives: topps aaf 2019

AAF, Arena, CFL

Guerra, Fabian

Cards: Topps AAF 2019, Arena Custom
Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Home
Sent: 4/15 Received: 5/2 (16 days)

Fabian Guerra played at Division II Fairmont University, where he set the standard at wide receiver for many of the school’s career statistical charts. Over his four years from 2013-2016, Fabian posted 233 catches for 2,805 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. He was not selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, so he elected to join the National Arena League’s Carolina Cobras. He’d post 70 catches for 818 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in his rookie year.

In 2018, Fabian joined the Memphis Express of the AAF. He’d make the final roster and start at receiver, but after an overall disastrous opener for the entire offense, he’d be cut. As the Express had offensive issues across the board, he’d be brought back late in the season, but finish with only one catch on the season.

His rights in the meantime had passed to the Arena Football League’s Columbus Destroyers in 2019. Fabian joined the league and earned Rookie of the Year Honors from the AFL, posting 61 receptions for 765 yards and 15 TDs. He also displayed a knack on returns posting 3 TDs on 39 returns (736 yards).

After the Arena Football League ended, Fabian was signed by the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League for the 2020 season, but ultimate due to the Covid pandemic- had his career put on hold as the CFL cancelled the season.

Fabian has a pretty active Twitter account and gave away a couple of his cards to his fans. I missed out on that one but thankfully Mark’s Signing Bonus came through again and helped me out with the address. Guerra signed his AAF card and dropped in his custom for me, and wrote me a nice handwritten note for being a fan.

AAF, NFL, XFL

Ginda, Frank

Card: Topps AAF 2019
Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Home
Sent: 4/10 Received: 4/30 (20 days)

Frank Ginda played linebacker for the San Diego State Spartans from 2015- 2017. He started as a true freshman, and his numbers improved every year into his Junior campaign. In 2017, he led the NCAA in tackles with 173, and had 13 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 3 pass deflections. Frank finished his college career with 351 total tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 4 pass deflections, and an interception for 16 yards.

Frank was not selected in the 2018 NFL Draft, and after a quick stop in Arizona, joined the Miami Dolphins. He had an outstanding preseason finale against the Falcons, but was one of their final cuts.

Frank returned home where he joined the Alliance of American Football signing with the San Diego Fleet. Behind the Fleet’s nasty 3-4 front, Frank led the team with 41 tackles- posting 4 for loss, 2 pass deflections, and a forced fumble against SLC that led to a TD recovery- despite only starting 2 of 8 contests. He also set the league record for tackles in a game, recording 15 against the Memphis Express, in their March 2nd contest.

” We all just bought into the system and we all dialed in and knew how much we wanted to play in the NFL. There were guys that played multiple years. There were guys that played preseason like I did and there were guys that didn’t play at all. Everybody bought into the system and bought into the playbook.”

-Frank Ginda

After the AAF folded, Frank didn’t stay unemployed for long. He’d be selected by the New York Guardians of the XFL 2020, where Ginda finished with 11 tackles and a sack in 5 contests.

Frank signed this awesome card of his and dropped a nice note on the back of it thanking me for my support.

AAF, XFL

Folston, Tarean

Cards: Topps AAF 2019 Certified, Topps AAF, Sage 2017
Acquired: 2019, Ebay. 2020, Houston Roughnecks/ Tampa Vipers Joint Practice

Tarean Folston was a runningback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 2014-2017. Over his 4 years he ran for 1,712 yards on 343 carries, scoring 11 TDs. Although seldom called upon, he caught 31 passes for 294 yards and a TD. He was not selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, but stayed in playing shape.

Keeping his dream alive, Folston joined the fledgling Alliance of American Football. He’d be assigned to the Atlanta Legends. The Legends were a snakebitten franchise when it came to their coaching staff, but Folston remained a constant in the backfield for Atlanta. He’d finish as the franchise’s leading rusher with 223 yards on 53 carries, scoring a TD. Tarean also showed some vision and hands catching 26 passes for 163 yards and 2 TDs.

After the league folded, Tarean joined the Tampa Bay Vipers of the new XFL in 2020. I attended the open practice between the two teams, and was fortunate enough to get Folston’s autograph on these 2 cards of his. Folston had switched numbers with another player, but recognizing De’Veon Smith, he called Folston over for me- because they loved the fact I was a true fan of the AAF. Tarean still has his trademark dreds, that he told me took 5 years to grow out to such magnificence.

I was lucky enough to watch most of the last half of the AAF season on their app, before they shuddered it in early 2020. I always had a soft spot for the Legends, and studied the team’s offensive woes, but was shocked to see Tarean back there pounding the rock out with authority for Atlanta like a poor man’s Joseph Addai. He quickly became my favorite player on the team.