Arena

Tevaga, Shannon

tntafl14 tevagaCard: Top Notch AFL Talons 2014
Acquired: IP 2014, San Antonio Talons vs. New Orleans Voodoo

After the game Shannon was seated next to Shane Boyd. When I came up to Shannon and gave him his card, Shane leaned over and told him that I knew about Boyd’s historical contribution to football. Indeed I did- and quoted that Boyd scored the first TD in UFL history for the California Redwoods, which prompted Tevaga to quip that Boyd, “had his own little piece of Jeopardy history.”  Shannon was happy to have a card to call his own and signed this one just as eagerly and quickly as the rest of the team.

Shannon started 41 games for the Bruins earning All-American honors as a Junior, and as a Senior was named a Lombardi watch list candidate. After starting 7 games in 2011, and 10 games in 2012 for the Spokane Shock, Tevaga started all 18 games for the Utah Blaze in 2013. After the Blaze disbanded, Tevaga was allocated to the San Antonio Talons, where the burly bearded Samoan has made his mark.

 

College Football HoF, NFL, usfl

LeClair, Jim

Cards: Topps 1980, Topps 1978
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

After a short stint at Minnesota-Crookston, Jim Transferred to North Dakota.  Still not gaining the eyes of professional scouts, it took an incredible banner year for the linebacker to finally get the attention he deserved. He was credited with 187 tackles, three interceptions, four fumble recoveries, 11 forced fumbles, and 20 tackles for loss in 1971, and captured Little All-American Honors for his titanic performance. – Just incredible numbers. LeClair was selected by Paul Brown’s Bengals in the 3rd round of the 1972 draft, where he’d spell equally impressive Bill Bergey and primarily play special teams. While Bergey moved on to the Eagles in ’73, it was obvious that the mantle at middle linebacker soon would rest on Jim’s shoulders. By 1975 LeClair had really taken off at the position, making a career high 3 picks in 14 games that year. In 1976, Jim received his first Pro Bowl nomination. In 1980, the Bengals switched to a 3-4 defense, and Jim moved to LILB, playing for the team through 1983.  Bill by this point had been playing for 12 seasons, but still had the sport in his veins, and signed with the USFL’s New Jersey Generals. He’d finish his career there in 1984, but still manages to make it down to a game or two to cheer on the Bengals each season.

He’s currently retired and lives in North Dakota, spending time as an insurance agent. Jim has done some wild stuff over his days, as an Army reservist, including  wrestling a bear to a draw. Not a Chicago bear, – a real bear. He’s been a mayor and was head coach of the Mayville State University football team from 1986 – 1988. He has been inducted into the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame and also is a 1999 member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

G 158    Tac  N/a     Sac N/a     Fum 10
Int 10    Yds  64    Avg   6.4     Td  0   Lg 21

 

NFL

McGee, Buford

flr90 mcgeeCards: Fleer 1990, Score 1991, Fleer 1991
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Home
Sent: 4/13     Received: 4/22  (9 days)

Ah, Buford McGee. A great find from the grand old days of the 80’s and 90’s NFL Gridiron. A true team player, McGee was just happy to be there. Buford was one of these guys who was a hard nosed fullback.  A rare 5 year college player, he played for the Mississippi Rebels from 1979 to 1983.  During his Senior season, he rushed for 580 yards and 7 touchdowns on 141 carries. Buford ran for 1446 yards on 345 carries, and 13 TDs over his career at Mississippi.  He also displayed nice touch catching the ball out of the backfield 112 times for 856 yards and 4 more TDs.

flr91 mcgeeBuford snuck into the 1984 NFL draft as the 286th player taken in the 11th round, by the San Diego Chargers.  Buried on the depth chart behind Earnest Jackson, Lionel James, and Chuck Muncie- McGee displayed the willingness to do what others would not do, and developed a knack for being a powerful blocker.  He’d not only make the squad and contribute on special teams, he also ran for 226 yards and 4 TDs. The Chargers continued to get great value for McGee, especially during 1986 when he rushed for a career high 7 touchdowns.  With offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese leaving the Chargers for the LA Rams in 1987, Buford was not far behind. He’d be traded to them in exchange for two draft choices and runningback Barry Redden.

sco91 mcgeeAlthough injuries caught up with McGee derailing parts of his 85, 86, and 87 seasons, he continued to contribute to the Rams offense in whatever capacity he could. In 1990 he had a career high 234 yards on 44 carries, and caught 47 balls for 388 yards. The LA Rams named Buford their 1990 MVP.  After the 1991 season, head coach John Robinson was relieved of his duties, and going for a more ground oriented approach, new head coach Chuck Knox cut Buford in May of 1992. McGee made one final stop in Green Bay. He’d suit up for the Packers for that last season where he started 3 games.

Retired, he now lives in East Texas. I was really happy to get the former Ram on these cards. Buford was never really appreciated for his contributions to the pro game by the fan at large, but coaches far and wide appreciate what he did for all those teams he so unselfishly played for. McGee is also a member of the 1991 Los Angeles Rams Tecmo Super Bowl team.

G/Gs   107/50     Rush 289     Yds  1086    Avg 3.8     Td 17     Lg 44   |
Rec  155     Yds 1264      Avg  8.2     Lg 43    Td  13
KR 23    Yds  465    Avg  20.2     Lg 35    Td  0
Att  3     Comp  3     Yds 24      Td 1     Int 0      Rat 139.6

Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.