Cards: Panini Contenders 2016, Leaf Draft 2016, Panini Prism 2016 Acquired: IP 2019, SA Commanders Team Signing Dick’s Sporting Goods at The Rim
The Commanders big signing event of the season came at Dick’s Sporting Goods and with big names from the team appearing, it made total sense for me to go. Even though the event said NO OUTSIDE ITEMS, I figured I would take my chances and show up with my cards. It turned out nobody cared and I was able to go through the line 2 times to get all my cards covered. Mekale was next to Derron Smith, and they argued over which had the better cards. Mekale was sold on his Prism card, but he got trumped by Derron who had a Prism die cut card that looked like a fence. Overall it was a great event and I was happy with getting all the players’ autographs that were in attendance, as about two weeks later the league would disappear. Mekale’s autograph is very unique. I have never seen an M shaped quite like that.
Mekale was not drafted coming out of Arkansas (2012)/ Cincinnati (2013-2015), where he posted 108 receptions for 2034 yards and 19 TDs over his time between the two schools. A huge target stepping in at 6-5, McKay averaged an improbable 30.3 yards per reception in 2013 when he hauled in 16 catches for 485 yards and 7 TDs. He’d sign with the Colts after the draft in 2016, but be cut after training camp. Mekale then bounced around between the Jaguars, Broncos, Titans, Bears, and Cowboys over the next two years.
In 2019 McKay signed with the San Antonio Commanders of the now defunct Alliance of American Football. He’d post 22 receptions for 375 yards and 4 TDs including 1 2 point conversion. Mekale’s 17 yards a reception also was among the league leaders in that category. After the league ‘suspended operations’, Mekale drew interest from the Buffalo Bills and attended minicamp with the Browns.
Mekale was then selected by the New York Guardians of the XFL 2020, during the second round of the initial phase of the player draft. Over the course of the season he caught 12 passes for 184 yards and a TD, before the COVID pandemic cancelled the season. Two months later, McKay signed with the Blue Bombers of the CFL, but roughly a month later the league suspended play due to COVID as well.
Card: Wild Card World League 1992 Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Home Sent: 9/4 Received: 9/15 (11 days)
A true ironman at East Carolina, Stefon Adams displayed athletic ability playing runningback, wide receiver, and defensive back over his time for the Pirates, from 1981 to 1984. He concluded his career at ECU with 47 receptions for 676 yards, 31 rushes for 123 yards and 3 TDs, and an interception for 20 yards.
Stefon was drafted by the Los Angeles Raiders in the 3rd round of the 1985 draft. Stefon played in 53 games for the Silver and Black. He was used primarily as a return man, with 30 punt returns for 240 yards and 60 kickoffs for 1,191 yards. Adams also recorded 2 interceptions for 40 yards and 6 fumble recoveries. He’d spend the 1990 season with the Browns and Dolphins.
In 1992, he played in the World League with the Sacramento Surge– winning World Bowl II with the team. He caught a giant pass from David Archer to sustain a drive on 3rd down, deep in their own territory against the San Antonio Riders in the Win or Go Home contest. Stefon went on to play in the Arena football league in 1994 and 1995 for the Charlotte Rage and then the Connecticut Coyotes, catching 26 passes for 391 yards and 6 TDs on offense, and 22 total tackles, 2 pass breakups, and 2 forced fumbles on defense. Adams concluded 1995 by playing for the Hamilton Tiger-cats in the CFL.
TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
N/A
0
6
2
40
20.0
0
32
KR
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
65
1240
19.0
0
51
PR
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
43
321
7.4
0
25
G/Gs WLAF
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
12
236
19.6
2
40
KR
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
14
320
22.8
0
41
ARENA
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
26
391
6
N/A
TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
22
0
2
0
0
-.-
0
-.-
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.