Category Archives: IFL

CFL, IFL, NFL, XFL

Ealy, Kony (2)

CARDS: Leaf Draft 2014, Topps Chrome 2014, Sage 2014
ACQUIRED: In Person, 2020

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • See Also Kony Ealy
  • Kony joined the Cowboys during the 2018 preseason, but was cut.
  • He’d then sign with the Raiders, but again would be cut before the end of the year.
  • The next year Kony was selected by and signed with the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL20.
  • With the season cancelled due to COVID after 5 games, Kony finished with 9 tackles, 2 TFL, and half a sack.
  • He spent a season then in the CFL with the Argos from 2021 to the end of camp in 2022.
  • With that it was off for a month with the Vegas Knight Hawks of the IFL.
  • And then finally another 3 months with the Edmonton Elks before the end of the 2022 season.

NOTES:

Well I had reloaded on Kony after meeting him in person at the Houston Roughnecks team meet and greet for season ticket holders and I was hopeful the league would pick back up in 2021 but unfortunately COVID finished off the XFL20. So I held onto this post and eventually forgot about it.

A few things about Kony. I think if he had found a spot on a team primarily as a situational starter or designated pass rusher, he might’ve stuck around longer at his different stops. It takes a genius of a DC to unlock potential and Kony had plenty of that- as evidenced in his Super Bowl 50 performance when he logged 3 sacks, forced a fumble and made an interception.

I really also relate to the big guy as he has struggled with depression after the loss of his father and sister, and while he was with the Roughnecks, he opened up about it and his battle with it.

AAF, Arena, CFL, IFL, NFL, The Spring League, usfl, XFL

Truesdell, Nick

CARD: Topps XFL 2020
ACQUIRED: Ebay, 2021

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played TE for the University of Cincinnati and Grand Rapids Community College.
  • Went undrafted in 2013.
  • Played Arena ball with the Colorado Ice and Bemidji Axemen of the IFL in 2014.
  • Spent the next 3 seasons playing with the Shock (2014-15) and Steel (2016).
  • After not catching on with the Colts in 2016, Rattlers (2017), Stampeders and Gladiators (2018), made the practice squad of the Vikings in 2018.
  • Signed with the AAF Salt Lake City Stallions in late 2018 and had a solid season for the team, hauling in 24 passes for 269 yards and 3 TDs.
  • Joined Jets, and later the Vipers during 2019 playing in the XFL’s 2020 campaign.
  • Spent time in The Spring League with the Aviators in late 2020.
  • Selected by the New Jersey Generals of the New USFL in 2022, but was released before the season due to a groin injury.

ARENA

RECYDSAVGTDLG
127152712.038N/a

AAF

RECYDSAVGTDLG
2426911.2339

XFL

RECYDSAVGTDLG
99110.1027
Arena, IFL, NFL

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.