Tag Archives: washington defenders

NFL, XFL

Boozer, Cole

Topps XFL 2020, #43 GREEN 81/99

Card: Topps XFL 2020
Acquired: TTM 2021, C/o Home
Sent: 3/30 Received: 4/19 (20 Days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Stared career at Temple as a TE but by his Senior season had added 30 lbs to his frame to become the Owls’ starting RT.
  • Spent 2018 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but was cut at the end of camp in 2019.
  • Selected by the Defenders in the 2020 XFL draft.

NOTES:

Cole endeared himself to Defenders fans, (who originated the ‘Beer Snake’ in the XFL,) with his unique last name and number that he chose (69) when joined the franchise.

A special shout out to two of my favorite football fans. Mark- from Mark’s Signing Bonus continues to keep me motivated by providing me addresses behind the scenes to players in other leagues as my attention wanes from time to time as we continue to collaborate on all things spring football related.

I got two autographs from Cole. One on this parallel green and another on his base card, which I decided to send to my buddy Seth ‘Tuju Man’ as a thank-you for helping me canvas the Defenders prior to the 2020 season for autographs.

AAF, NFL, XFL

Freeman, KeShun

Card: Topps AAF 2019
Acquired: 2019, Washington Defenders Open House

KeShun Freeman was a 4 year starter at defensive end for the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets. A captain for the team, he posted 159 total tackles, 8 sacks, 20.5 tackles for loss, 4 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles.

Keshun joined the New Orleans Saints in training camp in 2018, but did not make the squad. He then played for the Atlanta Legends of the AAF where they let him continue to hone his craft more as a tweener. Freeman finished with 14 tackles and .5 sacks in 8 games before the league folded in April of 2019.

Keshun started for the XFL’s DC Defenders in 2020 seeing action at defensive end, outside linebacker and middle linebacker. An integral member on special teams, he finished with 17 tackles in 5 games for the Defenders solid defense.

I really liked Keshun’s card and it was high on my list to get autographed. I have made a few friends on Twitter, and after the collapse of the AAF, became fast friends with a fellow football historian. He had season tickets to the Defenders and offered to get autographs for me, which I excitedly jumped at. It goes to prove that kindness and charity are not done for yet.

AAF, NFL, XFL

Pressley, Jhurell

Card: Topps AAF 2019, Topps AAF 2019 Certified
Acquired: IP 2019, San Antonio Commanders v Arizona Hotshots. EBay 2019.

Jhurell was very high on my list for the game to try and get. His card is quite exciting looking and he was one of the league leaders in rushing. It helped that I had the seats in the visitors endzone, but he proved to be no problem- as soon as he saw his card of course. Jhurell removed his custom mouthpiece, which had gold vampire teeth in it and came over excitedly. It clued me in that for most of the Hotshots this was the first time they’d seen their cards.

Jhurell Pressley was not drafted coming out of New Mexico in 2016. Over his 4 years with the Lobos, he compiled 2,725 career yards on 394 carries (6.9 ypc) while scoring 35 TDs, and catching 18 passes (202 yards). His best year at NM came in 2014 when he compiled a whopping 1083 yards on 114 carries. – That’s right- 9.4 yards per carry!

He’d sign with the Minnesota Vikings and then see time on and off the rosters and practice squads of the Packers, Falcons, Jaguars, and Giants.

Jhurell joined the Arizona Hotshots in 2019 and led the league in rushing finishing with 430 yards on 96 carries, 1 TD and a 36 yard long scamper. He also caught 11 passes for 86 yards and 2 TDs including a 30 yard scamper.

After the league folded Jhurell was selected in the 3rd round of the XFL 2020 Draft by the Washington Defenders.