Tag Archives: xfl 2023 custom

NFL, The Spring League, ufl, XFL

Sexton, Mathew

CARD: TNT XFL 2023
ACQUIRED: IP, 2025

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Mathew played WR at Eastern Michigan from 2016-’20.
  • He caught 100 passes for 1335 yards and 9 TDs in 43 contests.
  • Undrafted he’d play in The Spring League in 2020.
  • Signed with the Steelers but didn’t make the squad.
  • Signed with the Chiefs in 2022, but was later placed on IR.
  • In 2023 Mathew played for the Vegas Vipers of the XFL 23.
  • Caught 23 passes for 326 yards in 8 contests.
  • Signed with the Falcons and later Patriots in 2023 but was released.
  • Saw time in camp in 2024 with the Dolphins but didn’t make the squad.
  • After the merger of the USFL and XFL, Mathew signed with the San Antonio Brahmas.
  • Played in 4 contests, catching 3 passes for 15 yards.
  • That season he scored on a punt return to beat the eventual UFL Champion DC Defenders and help the Brahmas win their only contest of the season.
  • Sexton had 8 punt returns for 154 yards and a TD on the season.

NOTES:

Just coasted in for the win on this one. When Matt joined the Brahmas I knew they’d put him to work. His signing was a footnote- but being aware of his history as a dependable receiver on a not so hot Vegas team, that played in a terrible stadium, I knew he’d be money. I went to work creating his card with the idea just maybe I’d get it signed.

After he returned his first punt and almost broke loose, I quipped to him on Instagram that he was one step away from breaking one loose. He liked that comment and the image of his card I put up. The next week he broke loose for that TD on the PR, and the rest was history.

It seemed to line up perfectly. After the Brahmas advertised and told me that an event in SA was going to have players- I was pretty annoyed when they backed out of it. I kept the receipts and asked my ticket manager what happened. When I showed him the emails we exchanged about it, he offered me a free after game autograph signing. -I jumped on it.

After the Brahmas got trounced by the Roughnecks, I got piled into a line and shuffled down below. I was excited to see who was going to be there. 8 chairs! 8 chairs of players! -Well no. Not at all. Instead it was 3 players, hastily called over as they walked off the field. Two other players came over. They didn’t have cards, and the team didn’t provide the autograph postcard they promised in another email. Thankfully Mathew was in the group and I got his autograph on this card.

I gave him the extra I had. Clanked the plastic holder there and said, “This is for you.” He seemed very happy to have his own card and thanked me for my effort. Sometimes the expense is completely worth it for the quality, as I heard him like many players who are in shock about having their own card: “Wow, it looks so real.”

NFL, XFL

Vasher, TJ

CARD: Sage 2021, XFL 2023 Custom, Panini Legacy 2021
ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas v Arlington Renegades. San Antonio Brahmas v Houston Roughnecks. San Antonio Brahmas v Washington Defenders

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • TJ Vasher played WR for the Texas Tech Red Raiders from 2016-20.
  • In 2017-20, he totaled over 500 yards and at least 6 TDs in each year.
  • He finished his college career with 146 receptions for 1983 yards and 21 TDs.
  • Going unselected in the 2021 NFL Draft, Vasher was signed by the Dallas Cowboys, but was waived with an injury designation.
  • He’d be selected by the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL during their 2023 draft.
  • Over the course of the season he established himself as the #1 receiver despite the team’s felonious quarterback carousel.
  • Vasher caught 16 passes for 173 yards and 2 TDs on the year.
Panini Legacy 2020, #191
Sage 2020, #148

NOTES:

The season ticket holders next to me got an email from the XFL giving them post game field access. They offered me the chance to go with them and I gambled that I’d be able to get autographs easier from players that way.

I spotted TJ signing near the players home entrance for some fans on the elevated side of the stands. It was easy for me to walk over there and ask him to sign this card.

I was pretty meh about the Sage card. The design is so… low effort. Either the person who designed this has just run out of juice to do this, doesn’t care, or they have an intern handle it. It’s been a disappointing fall for me with Sage since 2017 or so, as their design, quality, and general autograph selection has suffered.

Later I got him on this Panini Legacy card after the Roughnecks game. He was very cool about signing that one. Great card here, and the design is regally Art Nouveau.

I made this XFL custom card of TJ. It took me a few iterations to get to this design and I love it. I think these cards really exude the look and theme of the XFL 2023. When he looked at the card, he said, “Ah! You’re the card guy! I’ll get you when I come back out in a few minutes…” I hunkered down hiding out in the stadium against the protests of the ushers there and was able to get him on my sweet custom. I also gave him a few to keep as thanks.