Cardale Jones played QB for the Ohio State University from 2013-2016.
He got his first start in the Big Ten Championship Game in 2014, when he threw for 257 yards and 3 TDs- and was named MVP of the game.
After a battle with JT Barrett for the starting role, Jones earned the starting nod in 2015.
Started 7 games throwing for 1460 yards and 8 TDs (5 INT), while rushing for 193 yards on 64 carries (2 TD).
Declared for the 2016 NFL Draft.
Selected in the 4th round by the Buffalo Bills.
Buried on the depth chart behind Tyrod Taylor and EJ Manuel, he completed 6 of 11 passes for 96 yards and an interception his rookie year.
Traded to the Chargers in 2017.
Spent 2018 on the Chargers practice squad.
Released in 2019, and joined the Seahawks for a bit over a week.
Joined the DC Defenders of the XFL20 later that year.
Had a solid debut in the league completing 16 of 26 passes for 291 yards and 2 TDs for the team’s first win.
Finished the abbreviated season with 674 yards on 61 of 113 passing (4 TD to 7 INT).
Briefly was on the radar of the Edmonton Elks of the CFL and then later the Massachusetts Pirates in ’22.
NOTES:
My good friend Seth Lessans- a season ticketholder of the Defenders in 2020, was willing to help me get any autographs I wanted, so I cashed in big time with a bunch of players including Cardale on his Panini Contenders School Colors card. I’ve tried to keep up with Seth, but our communication is spotty for whatever reason. I hope he’s doing okay.
I got a few of these really nice XFL cards of Cardale, but I didn’t want to risk them TTM or pay the going rate I’d seen at a few events of roughly 50 bucks per item. Eventually I was able to find an event through the same broker that got me Pete Mandley a few months ago for an extremely reasonable price. I went ahead and cashed in nearly all my set needs.
Cardale maintains that he still loves the game and is ready to suit up at any time.
In 7 contests he had 3 picks, 15 tackles, and 2 FF before the league collapsed.
He was a signee of the Detroit Lions later that year.
Then in 2020 played in the XFL for the New York Guardians.
In the COVID shortened season he had 16 tackles and a pick in 3 starts.
Houston of the USFL would be his next stop in 2022, raking in 26 tackles.
In 2023, Jamar played in the XFL for the Vipers, before finally playing in 2024 for the Renegades.
NOTES:
When the teams were going back to the locker room after warmups, Jamar came over and said that he had mad respect for my AAF jersey. I said to him, “I KNOW WHO YOU ARE JAMAR SUMMERS AND I HAVE CARDS OF YOU!” He excitedly agreed to sign them on the spot. Since I was wearing my San Antonio Commanders jersey, we talked about the matchup between SA and Birmingham for a hot minute.
He was surprised that I remembered it, but he remembered it down to the correct score! I then quipped about how the weather was terrible and there was a tornado watch that day and they played in a torrential downpour. We both also reminisced that we couldn’t believe it’d been 5 years.
When he saw my AAF cards, he was like, “Oh wow! A true fan!” (Especially when he laid his eyes upon the ultra rare Topps AAF Now 2019 card of his.)
Of note, I think I had gotten Jamar’s Topps XFL Certified sometime ago, but because he ham fisted the autograph, I resisted posting it for a while. It will certainly make a good conversation starter next time I see him. In a rush to get out the door, I forgot that he had a Topps XFL 2020 base card as well. There’s always hopefully next year!
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
