James played LB at Baylor (1986-’89) where over his career he posted 434 total career tackles.
In 1989, he set an NCAA single-season record with eight blocked kicks.
Earned SWC Player of the Year honors in 1989, when he totaled 129 total tackles, 4 interceptions for 99 yards, 8 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries.
He also moonlighted on the Baylor basketball team as well in the off season.
A first round pick of the Cincinnatti Bengals in 1990, he had 78 combined tackles, 8 sacks, and an interception that he returned 17 yards for a TD at ROLB.
He’d convert to LOLB in 1992, and add 6 more sacks to his resume and another 3 picks for 108 yards including a 66 yard TD.
In 1994, Francis had a career high 101 total tackles when he moved to LLB.
Added another 3 pick season in 1996, returning another one 42 yards for a TD.
Joined the Redskins in 1999, playing there for one season.
Retired before he turned 32, citing that it wasn’t fun anymore and that losing just drags on you after a while.
Lives in Central Texas, and has kicked the tires on going into coaching.
Action Packed 1992, #33
ACCOLADES:
All Rookie Team 1990
Baylor Hall of Fame 2001
NOTES:
James doesn’t sign TTM so I had to get as many of his cards signed as I could through a very affordable paid signing.
It’s said that Jimmy Johnson of the Cowboys during the 1990 draft really wanted to draft James Francis in the first round to man his defense over eventual Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith. He didn’t get the chance to debate it as Francis went off the board at #12 overall and Smith went off at #17. One has to wonder how the trajectory of the Cowboys might have been altered if Francis was still sitting on the board at #17.
Francis makes an appearance in Tecmo Superbowl where he’s a pretty solid option to play at LB.
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, #11Topps 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.
At the end of his time at Missou, James Wilder was the school’s all-time leading rusher with 2,357 yards.
A second round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1982.
Slotted into the lineup as a FB.
Impressed coaches so much he took over starting duties at RB in 1984.
Set NFL single game record (since broken) rushing 42 times against Pittsburgh in 1984.
He carried the ball a whopping 407 times for 1577 yards and 13 TDs.
His 2229 total yards were only 19 yards off the combined rushing receiving single season record.
By the end of that season- his 4th- Wilder had passed Ricky Bell to become the franchise’s all-time leading rusher.
Wilder was ahead of his time, as not only was he a great runner, but he was an extremely talented receiver as well, catching 85 passes that year.
In 1985, Wilder had another solid season, posting 1300 yards rushing on 365 carries and 10 TDs.
James never eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark again over his career.
While this could’ve been attributed to injuries or a conversion back to FB is not known, as the backfield became quite crowded.
The Bucs traded James to Detroit in exchange for Eric WIliams in 1990.
At the time of his departure, Wilder owned nearly every rushing franchise record and even the team’s record for receptions.
He played the majority of the season with the Lions, before finishing his career on the roster of the Redskins that year.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1984
NOTES:
Finally! I absolutely adore this card and have wanted to get it signed by James for some time. James embodied the creamsickle orange to me. The autograph is just as good! It’s strong, the color is superb, and the placement is perfect.
I love my RBs and Wilder had a very interesting NFL career to me. I considered also sending his Score Supplemental 1990 in his Lions uniform, or his Score 1989 card, but since I had failed on him 10 years ago, never restocked on his cards.
RUSH
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
1586
6008
3.8
37
75t
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
431
3500
8.1
10
50
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
