Tag Archives: washington defenders

Bunche, Malcolm

Topps XFL 2020, #24

CARD: Topps XFL 2020
ACQUIRED: In Person, 2023

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Malcolm played OL at Miami, eventually transferring to UCLA for graduate studies.
  • After not being selected in the 2015 NFL Draft, he embarked on a series of stops with the Eagles (2015), Tiger-Cats (2017), Jaguars (2017), and Giants (2018).
  • Bunche got seasoning playing for an exceptionally good OL with the Arizona Hotshots of the AAF in 2019.
  • He had two more short stops with the Giants and Redskins immediately after that before closing out the year.
  • Bunche then played for the Washington Defenders of the XFL in 2020.
  • After a brief hiatus he played with the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL 2023.

NOTES:

Malcolm was a nice grab that I picked up during the Purple Heart Event that the team was at in Boerne in April. I was wearing my AJ Tarpley jersey and my guy Kameron Kelly stopped me to admire it and take a photo with me. Malcolm came up to compliment me as he too was an AAF vet from his days with the Hotshots. When I produced his XFL card from my pile of stuff, he was duly impressed and gleefully signed it.

Barnes, Tavaris (2)

CARD: Topps AAF 2019
ACQUIRED: IP 2020, Washington Defenders Team Meet & Greet

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • See also Tavaris Barnes
  • Joined the AAF in 2019 playing for the Atlanta Legends in their 3-4 alignment.
  • Compiled 6.5 tackles, 1 sack, in 6 starts for Atlanta.
  • Played in 3 games for the Washington Defenders in 2020.
  • Had 4.5 tackles, and 1.5 sacks.
  • Signed with the Calgary Stampeders in early 2021, retiring later in the year.

NOTES:

My buddy Seth, a diehard Washington XFL team fan, had me send a stack of cards to him, that he was more than happy to get signed for me. A great card, Tavaris was one of the many players who gathered around and was excited to apparently sign his card for Seth during the fan meet and greet. He even took the time to inscribe ‘GO TIGERS!’, on it in gold.

Abdullah, Khalid (JMU)

Topps XFL 2020 Certified Autograph Issue, #KHA

Card: Topps XFL 2020 Certified
Acquired: 2020, Box Breaker

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Khalid Abdullah was a tailback for James Madison from 2013-2016.

  • Compiled 15 100 yard games.

  • Finished second all time at JMU in rushing yards with 3678, while setting the school record for rushing TDs (41) and total touchdowns (45).

  • Was not selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, but was in camp with the New York Giants.

  • Played in the Your Call Football league for team Grit in both 2018 and 2019.

  • Selected by the Washington Defenders during the open phase of the XFL 2020 draft.

  • Ran 11 times for 52 yards, and caught 2 passes for 11 yards.

  • Best game came against LA when he carried 8 times for 47 yards and caught those two passes, but Abdullah was inactive the last two contests.

ACCOLADES:

  • 2017 NCAA Division Championship (FCS) Game MVP

NOTES:

Before the prices went absolutely nuts, I was able to break this card out of an XFL hobby box I bought.