Tag Archives: topps xfl 2020 future stars

NFL, usfl, XFL

Ta’Amu, Jordan

TNT XFL 2023 Custom
Topps XFL 2020, Future Stars #14
Topps XFL 2020, #116

CARDS: Topps XFL 2020 GREEN 43/99, Topps XFL 2020 Stars of the Future, Topps NOW 2020 2.16.20, Topps NOW 2020 2.9.20, TNT XFL 2023
ACQUIRED: In Person, 2023 San Antonio Brahmas v Washington Defenders. IP, 2024 San Antonio Brahmas v Washington Defenders.
FAILURE: TTM 2020, C/o The Kansas City Chiefs

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Jordan Ta’Amu played college ball for Ole Miss from 2017-’18.
  • In 2 years he was 381/591 for 5,600 yards, 30 TDs and 12 picks.
  • Based on his limited resume at QB he went unselected in the 2019 NFL Draft.
  • He was a camp arm for the Texans that year for roughly the month of August.
  • Afterwards he decided to try his hand in the XFL in 2020 and was selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks.
  • He had an exceptional start to his season, showing poise with his arm and opportunistic legs, but before he could finish his season, the XFL ended due to COVID.
  • Signed with the Chiefs in April of ’20, and was a member of the practice squad through October.
  • Joined the Lions PS, but was resigned to the Chiefs in ’21 through a futures contract.
  • Jordan had cups of coffee with the Lions (again), Redskins, and Panthers, before landing with the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL in 2022.
  • He finished as the league’s leader in passing yards (2,014) and TDs (14).
  • Ta’amu joined the XFL23 as a member of the DC Defenders.
  • He’d lead the team to the XFL Championship game, throwing for 1,894 yards and 14 TDs.
  • In August of 2023, he’d again be brought in briefly- this time by the Minnesota Vikings.
  • As a late addition, Jordan returned to the Defenders for the 2024 season.
  • He finished with 1,846 yards passing, and 15 TDs- both ranking second in the UFL.
Topps XFL NOW 2020, #11
Topps XFL NOW 2020, #7

ACCOLADES:

  • XFL Offensive Player of the Year 2023
  • All-XFL 2023

NOTES:

Before the game I had spotted the Ta’Amu family wearing matching jerseys. I keyed in on them figuring that they’d know where to go to be able to get close enough to get his autograph. After the game the Defenders were lingering after their victory so I wandered over to their side and picked up an autograph from Santos Ramirez. The gatekeepers of the Alamodome were getting more aggressive about telling me to leave but I ignored them as long as possible. Santos was shocked he had a card so I gambled he wouldn’t mind slipping over to get Jordan on his base card.

After I secured the autograph much to Santos’ credit, I went outside and found the team busses. His family was waiting outside there and told me that he wouldn’t have a problem signing the rest of my cards if I just hung out long enough. We talked about his career and they told me that he’d hoped to have played closer to Texas than Washington but he was happy to be playing. They all admired his limited print Topps XFL NOW 2020 cards- and when he came out he said hello to them and he signed the remaining cards including an additional one I gifted to my friend Mark- of Mark’s Signing Bonus. A big win for me as Ta’Amu doesn’t sign TTM.

In 2024, the Brahmas first game was against the Defenders at home. I printed out my custom XFL card and was able to get him to sign it before the game started. It was I think the only one I got signed that day, and although disappointed with the lack of a haul I got, I was happy with getting this one gem.

If I’m very lucky maybe I’ll pick up that final short run Topps NOW XFL 2023 (#22) card of him and get him to sign that too but it’s been on and off the market so many times, I’ve forgotten to purchase it.

NFL, XFL

Jones, Landry

Panini Rookies & Stars 2013, #155

CARDS: Topps XFL 2020, Topps XFL 2020 Rising Stars, Topps XFL 2020 Certified, Panini Rookies & Stars 2013
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home
SENT: 4/16 RECEIVED: 7/28 (103 days)
FAILURE: 2020, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • 4 year starter at Oklahoma from 2009-12 who was heir to Sam Bradford at quarterback.
  • Completed 405 of 617 passes for 4718 yards and 38 TDs in Sophomore campaign.
  • Finished college career with 123 passing TDs, 63.6 completion percentage, and 16646 yards passing.
  • 4th round selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers who intended to groom Jones to become long term backup or future starter to replace Ben Rothlisberger.
  • Didn’t see any significant action until the 2015 season as quarterback injuries wracked the Steelers.
  • In first game led Pittsburgh to comeback victory over Cardinals throwing for 165 yards and two TDs.
  • Saw sporadic playing time over the next 2 seasons putting together some solid numbers.
  • Cut in early September of 2018 after losing out on a quarterback competition against Mason Rudolph,
  • Joined the Jaguars later that year as an injury replacement for Blake Bortles.
  • After a short stint with the Raiders in early 2019, was courted by the AAF, and the San Antonio Commanders– but declined their offer.
  • Later was reunited with his former college coach Bob Stoops who signed him to play for the Dallas Renegades of the XFL.
Topps XFL 2020, Stars of the XFL, #1

NOTES:

After I saw a few successes from Landry online through Facebook groups, with users who refused to disclose his address- I figured out the address myself and sent it out. I broke a cardinal rule and shared the address with a few friends before I got mine back. Thus they got theirs back signed and I got back… nothing. In the meantime, I got his certified off of Ebay, and waited about a year to resend to which I was able to get him on the three non-certified cards above.

Landry is named after former Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry. In a game that I was attending in Dallas, Houston Roughnecks defensive back Charles James (after the Roughnecks intercepted Landry Jones for the 3rd time in the first half) was caught on a live mic saying, “Get him the f*ck out of here!”

Topps XFL 2020, #114
Topps XFL 2020, #AU-LJ