KD Cannon set Freshman receiving records at Baylor, catching 58 passes for 1,030 yards and 8 TDs in 2014.
In 2016, he had 87 catches for 1,215 yards and 13 TDs, including a whopping 226 yards and 2 TDs on 14 receptions in the Cactus Bowl.
Undrafted in 2017, he’d spend time briefly on the rosters of the 9ers, Jets, and Rams, before landing on the practice squad of the Cowboys at the end of the season.
Waived by the Cowboys and joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2018.
Released by the Roughriders, but selected by the LA Wildcats of the XFL 2020.
Joined the XFL’s Team 9 practice squad, and then was elevated to the Seattle Sea Dragons before the season was cancelled due to COVID.
Signed by the Vegas Knight Hawks of the IPFL for the 2022 season.
Selected by the DC Defenders in the XFL 2023 draft, finishing the season on the roster of the Orlando Guardians.
During the season he’d catch 4 passes for 161 yards and 2 TDs.
With the Guardians not retained in the merger between the XFL and USFL, Cannon would be selected by the San Antonio Brahmas in 2024 during the dispersal draft.
He’d catch 1 pass for 32 yards and see light duty on returns.
Released after the season concluded.
NOTES:
I had made a card of KD thinking he might show up at one of these events and I was happy to add him alongside Speedy Stevenson on a few cards at a very, very hot event that was outside before the last game of the season. He really liked the card and I gave him the rest to keep. The additional cards I made of him didn’t arrive in time unfortunately.
Billy Kilmer played at UCLA from 1958-’60 where he played RB and QB.
In 1960, he led the conference with 163 rushes for 803 yards and 8 TDs, while also throwing for 1086 yards and 8 TDs.
Billy finished his college career with 307 carries for 1386 yards and 12 TDs, to go along with 1881 yards passing on 109/255 passes, and 15 TDs to 13 interceptions.
In 1961, Billy was the 11th selection of the San Fransisco 49ers, and a 5th round pick of the Chargers- but opted to sign with SF.
He’d run for 509 yards and 10 TDs his rookie year.
After a leg injury ended his 1962 season, and completely wiped his 1963 campaign, he returned to the ‘9ers in 1964.
Saw no action in 1965- and was involved in a salary dispute the following year, leading to him being exposed in the NFL Expansion Draft.
Selected by the New Orleans Saints in 1967.
Played 4 seasons for the Saints, posting an 11-28 record.
Threw for 20 TDs (17 INT) and a career high 2,532 yards in 1969.
Traded to Washington Redskins in 1970.
Fought with Sonny Jurgensen over the starting role for throughout his Redskin career.
He’d lead the NFL in TDs with 19, and 8.4 yards per completion in 1972.
In 1974, rookie Joe Theismann was added to the mix and battled Billy for the starting role.
Threw a 96 yard TD and a career high 25 TDs in 1975.
Retired after the 1978 season, having played 18 seasons and in 170 games at the grand old age of 38.
ACCOLADES:
College Football Hall of Fame
New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame
Washington Redskins Ring of Fame
80 Greatest Redskins of All Time
Pro Bowl 1972
Comeback Player of the Year 1976
NOTES:
I had gotten Billy on his Topps 1970 and his Upper Deck Legends 1997 cards and then realized that he appeared in the Legends Memorable Moments subset alongside Bob Lilly. Unwilling to pay the outrageous price for the card I waited this one out until I was able to get it for just a dollar or two and sent this along with the other Topps entries out to him. A consistent and kind signer, he returned both groups in just 9 days flat.
Billy has always battled adversity in his life, whether from alcohol, where he got the nickname Ol Whiskey from his time in New Orleans, or a devastating leg injury he suffered early in his career in San Fransisco.
I mean with this set need in his Fleer 1990, I had to get Brian again to wrap things up. What I didn’t know was that he had a really great card from Pro Set 1992. I just love this shot, and he signed it perfectly. There’s a couple of dynamic cards in the ’92 series 1 set like this. I think this was the height of Pro Set’s photo quality before it ultimately collapsed due to market forces. Starting with series two later that year, there were a few sideline shots and a complete change in style that completely turned me off from the set.
I think to some degree that hubris did in Pro Set. Overprinting and ignorance did the rest. I believe that Pro Set thought by now, no matter what, their fans were going to stick by them- even with a departure in design. There was just too much to choose from for me, and as I aged into my late teens- I had other priorities.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
