Tag Archives: upper deck UFL 2024

ufl, XFL

Lovett, John

CARDS: Sage 2022, TNT XFL23, Upper Deck Game Dated Moments 2024, Upper Deck UFL 2024, Upper Deck UFL 2024 Parallel, Upper Deck UFL 2024 Exclusive, Upper Deck UFL 2025
ACQUIRED: IP 2024, San Antonio Brahmas v Birmingham Stallions
IP 2025, San Antonio Brahmas v Arlington Renegades
2025, Ebay

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • John Lovett played from 2017-20 at RB at Baylor amassing 1,980 yards and 17 TDs on 407 carries.
  • With a surprising combination of speed and power, he had a 74 yard TD and a 75 yard TD to his resume before transferring to Penn State in 2021.
  • Undrafted, he spent the 2022 season on the roster of the Carolina Panthers primarily on the practice squad.
  • Hopped over to the XFL23 playing for the Vegas Vipers.
  • Seeing action in all 10 games with 2 starts, Lovett ran 59 times for 227 yards and 3 TDs.
  • In August of 2023 he spent about two weeks with the Steelers.
  • With Vegas being euthanized after the 2023 season, Lovett was not selected in the UFL dispersal draft- so he signed with the San Antonio Brahmas.
  • Played in 8 contests, starting 4, rushing 103 times for 421 yards and 5 TDs.
  • Set the league single game rushing record with 155 yards against the DC Defenders.
  • He returned to the Brahmas for 2025, but early in the first game he pulled his hamstring.
  • John attempted to play through it but it merely made things worse.
  • He finished the 2025 season with 18 carries for 32 yards and a TD, used mainly in short yardage situations.

NOTES:

I knew John had played for the Vegas Vipers in 2023, so I made a card for him that was ready just in time for their home finale against the Birmingham Stallions. He was super kind to always come to my side of the field to sign and talk to fans. I know it was out of the way but it meant a lot to me- and that quality endeared him to me. He liked the Vegas card and thanked me for the extras I gave him.

With his 2025 pretty much washed he was elevated off of IR for the final game so I prepped and packed all his cards. My friend Jake had been kind enough to trade me his GDM card, and I also picked up a Sage 2022 of him I didn’t know was in the wild.

When I saw him going back and forth from the tunnel, I said, “Hey John Lovett!”, With a big smile. He pointed enthusiastically.

I looped around the outside to his area and called him over. He came over and signed all the remaining cards I had. John hadn’t seen his UFL 25 card so I gave him the extra ‘white’ I had for his personal collection in exchange for his autograph on everything else. He told me he remembered me from last year and thanked me for the extra card, and was kind enough to explain what happened with his hammy.

I think he had family in my general area and so he came down to talk to them after the game. He threw his jersey to them and shook hands and hugged friends. I’m not sure- but it felt like a good bye?

ufl, XFL

Kirklin, Jontre

CARDS: Upper Deck UFL 2025 Certified, TNT XFL23, Upper Deck UFL 2025 Dual Autographs
ACQUIRED: Epack, 2025. In Person 2025, San Antonio Brahmas v DC Defenders

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • A talented athlete in college, Jontre Kirklin could do it all at DB, QB and WR while playing at LSU from 2017-’21.
  • Undrafted he signed with the Arizona Cardinals after the 2022 NFL Draft.
  • Kirklin was selected by the Houston Roughnecks for play in the 2023 XFL season.
  • Off to a fast start, Kirklin started 4 games, catching 15 passes for 253 yards and 5 TDs , before suffering a season ending chest injury.
  • After rehabbing, he’d spend the rest of the 2023 season on and off the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints.
  • Released by the Saints, Jontre signed with the Brahmas- where most of the Roughnecks staff had gone to, after the UFL and XFL merged.
  • Got some more experience in the pros with the 49ers during August of ’24.
  • Resigned with the Brahmas for the 2024 season and caught 56 passes for 614 yards and 3 TDs.
  • Returned to the team for 2025, but with the coaching staff in turmoil, the offense suffered mightily.
  • Still managed to catch 35 passes for 284 yards on 7 starts.
1 reception for 10 yards

NOTES:

I was wandering around trying to get a few autographs after the Brahmas lost to Washington when I spied out Kirklin still on the field. I ran around and was able to lure him back with his Roughnecks custom.

The following week the Brahmas lost a tough game in OT to Memphis, which is played on the visiting side of the field where I sit. I tried as hard as I could to rally the crowd, and I want to believe I stood out.

Randomly after the contest Jontre came up to me and gave me his gloves. I was extremely touched.

I had really, really wanted the Brahmas dual autograph of Jontre and Cody. When I first started the set, this was the one I really wanted. Problem was, when Upper Deck first released the set, for some reason, this limited autograph got pulled a lot, by a select few people. This created a problem, as even though they got a stack of these cards, they refused to trade them. I was really frustrated by this and waited it out.

About 6 months I was able to make a deal with another collector, who had a very low trade rating. I did offer them 12 cards- 5 of them being autographs, and one GDM, but it was worth it, as the vast majority of them were duplicates.

NFL, ufl, XFL

King, Marquette (2)

CARDS: Upper Deck UFL 2025, Upper Deck UFL 2025 Dual Autographs
ACQUIRED: Trade, 2025. Upper Deck Redemption, 2025

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

Hah! Nice Marquette.

Well I tried to add Marquette on an extra base card, but he glanced at me- gave what I thought was a snooty look and trotted off. After the game, he b-lined for the locker room without signing for anyone.

It’s okay. I already had his certified card and this nice duo autograph of him and Brad Wing.

TRADE DETAILS:

Traded: 1/1 Alex Mollette BLACK Upper Deck 2024 UFL

Received: Sal Cannella, Marquette King, Mark Gilbert, and Jace Sternberger Upper Deck 2024 UFL autographs.