Tag Archives: chicago rush

Solomon, Clinton

Card: TNT AFL 2014
Acquired: TTM 2017, C/o Home
Sent: 2/22    Received: 4/19    (56 days)

Clinton played for the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2002, 2004, and 2005. He piled up 1864 yards on 118 receptions and 14 TDs over his 3 years there. His best season came as a Junior when he logged 58 receptions for 905 yards and 6 TDs- earning him 2nd Team All-Big Ten Honors.

Going undrafted, Solomon signed with the St Louis Rams in 2006. Afterwards he was on the rosters of the Titans and Bears in 2007. He signed with the Arena Chicago Rush in 2008, and finally found his home with the Wichita Wild of the IFL in 2009, where he was named 1st team All-IFL after posting 22 TDs and 1,008 yards receiving.  He again earned All-IFL selections in 2010 and 2011. Clinton spent then next two seasons with the Sioux Falls Storm, and briefly played for the Kansas City Renegades.

In 2014 Clinton joined the Texas Revolution.  Soon thereafter he’d be signed by the snake bitten San Antonio Riders of the AFL. After the season the Talons were contracted, but he was assigned to the Las Vegas Outlaws. After the Outlaws were also contracted, Solomon returned to the Texas Revolution in 2016 reuniting with former Talon Brett Reece.  Clinton finished the season as the team leader with 63 receptions for 793 yards and 25 TDs.

A few years ago I had started tracking down members of the Talons who I had made cards of. I attempted to friend Clinton on Facebook, but he did not respond to me for over a year. I reached out to him when he did and he agreed to do a signing for me. Apparently he was more excited than I intially thought, because after he signed the card, he also inscribed the back of the envelope thanking me for the trading cards.

Weivoda, Mark

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

Mark Weivoda played collegiately at Idaho State, where he tied an NCAA record blocking 6 kicks in 2001, and 2nd in history with 8 overall. He joined the Memphis Xplorers (AF2) in 2006, and later in 2007 the Boise Burn. Mark moved to the AFL in 2010, starting for the Chicago Rush, and recorded 22.5 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. He signed with the Talons in 2012, where he’s anchored the line ever since recording 5 tackles, 5 sacks, and a fumble recovery.

I tracked down the heavily tatooed Weivoda after the game, and he couldn’t have been nicer. When I gave him his card he said, “Wow! A card of me? I’ve got a whole box of trading cards sitting at my place. I loved these things as a kid!” Mark gleefully signed his card and thanked me for my time.

Weivoda finished his 2014 season with 7 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries. None of his plays was more important than the fumble recovery that he made in the Talons season finale  against the Voodoo.  New Orleans was going to kneel the ball to set up the FG on the next down, but Weivoda slipped in and recovered the fumble at the 2 yard line.  Initially he rumbled and stumbled all the way back for a TD, but it was called back. Still, his play allowed the Talons to force overtime, and from there they beat the Voodoo 38-35. It was one of the most exciting games that I have ever witnessed.

With the suspension of the San Antonio Talons franchise in 2014, the much traveled Weivoda was assigned to the Las Vegas Outlaws expansion franchise for the 2015 season.

McBroom, Troy

tntafl11 mcbroomCard:  Top Notch Arena 2011
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent: 7/5  Received: 7/17  (12 days)

McBroom attended St. Mary’s from 2001-02. He then attended two seasons at Delta College, and two final years at McPhereson College, an NAIA institution in Kansas, earning a degree in Physical Education & Sports Medicine in 2006. During his Senior season at McPherson, Troy had 659 receiving yards (3rd in Conference) and 6 TDs (2nd). He interviewed with the Browns and Titans but went undrafted in the 2006 NFL Draft.

Eventually McBroom ended up on the radar of the Arena Football league. He signed with the Stockton Lightning of the AF2. In his rookie year (2008), he appeared in the final four games of the regular season with the Lightning. Head Coach Chad Carlson liked Troy’s size and work ethic. In his debut McBroom had 10 catches for 110 yards and 4 TDs against the Tennessee Valley Vipers. He’d finish 2008, tallying 30 receptions for 296 yards and eight touchdowns, while averaging 74.0 yards per game.

In 2009, McBroom led the Lightning offense with 114 receptions for 1463 yards and 24 touchdowns, averaging 91.4 yards per game. He ended the regular season ranked 15th in the af2 in receiving yards per game, 10th in receptions, and 6th in reception yards.

With the Lightning suspending operations for the 2010 season, McBroom joined the Tulsa Talons of the AF1 in 2011. He earned nominations for Offensive Rookie of the Year, with 149 receptions (4th), for 1,747 yards (4th), and 31 TDs. His 9.9 receptions per game led the league. A separated shoulder in the final contest of 2011 ended his season prematurely as Troy had already set the Talons single season record for receptions, and posted 2nd highest single season receiving yard total in franchise history. Troy also had been invited to camp with the New York Jets, but was unable to attend due to his injury. In 2012, McBroom was assigned to the Chicago Rush, and finished the season on the roster of the Philadelphia Soul.

I approached Troy through Twitter and he was really excited to get his card. He still has the itch to play and is currently in the midst of a comeback bid. I built his Wikipedia entry, that is currently in approval wait hell with the site.