McLeod Bethel-Thompson played one year at QB for UCLA back in 2007.
He completed 23 of 55 passes for 293 yards and 1 TD to 5 picks.
MB-T hopped up to Sacramento state in 2008, where he played QB through 2010.
His time for the Hornets was pockmarked by injuries.
Still in 3 years, he managed to throw for 1322 yards and 7 TDs (8 INT) on 113 of 197 passes.
Undrafted, he played in 2011 for the San Jose Sabre Cats of the Arena Football League, seeing mop up duty.
After a short stint with the 49ers, McLeod signed with the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the original UFL in September of 2011.
He’d throw for 355 yards completing 32 of 58 passes against the Virginia Destroyers.
To close out the year MB-T signed with the Dolphins and was placed on their practice squad.
His next stop saw him on the roster of the Minnesota Vikings, where he’d remain through October of 2013.
This led to a series of short stops over the next 3 years as a practice squad or off-season member of the 49ers, Patriots, Vikings, Dolphins, 49ers, and Eagles.
Ultimately this led MB-T to the CFL where he was signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2016.
Played in 2017 with The Spring League.
Signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL in mid 2017.
After battling his way up the roster from the literal bottom, he became the starting QB in Week 8 of 2018.
Led the CFL in passing rating (105.4) and TDs (26) in 2019.
Played in The Spring League in 2020 for the Aviators after opting out of his contract due to the COVID pandemic.
Returned to the Argonauts in 2021 where he again was involved in a QB battle.
In 2022, led the Argos to a Grey Cup win in the 109th game.
Ultimately his best season as a pro, racking up 4731 yards on 387 of 579 throws with 23 TDs.
The Argonauts decided to go in a different direction at QB, so he signed with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL.
Finished as the league’s leading passer with 2,433 yards in 2023.
Returned to the CFL in 2024 to play for the Edmonton Elks.
UFL (Original) Offensive Player of the Week Honors
CFL East All-Star 2021, ’22
NOTES:
Joe had passed me along an address for MB-T so I popped a card out to him. I was a bit dismayed not to get anything back. Well after a successful UFL season, and getting lucky on a few autographs that I sent to Joe, he returned the favor by sending me back McLeod and a few others that he’d gotten doubles of. It was quite the shot in the arm!
Rashard Davis played WR at James Madison from 2013-’16.
In 26 starts he posted 1,549 yards and 11 TDs on 114 catches.
Undrafted in 2017 he spent the season on and off the Eagles practice squad that year, and the following season in 2018.
He split 2019 between the Titans and Chiefs- recording his first NFL reception for 16 yards while playing for Tennessee.
Davis was with the Titans through the 2021 off season.
After briefly spending time with the Jets, Davis signed with the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL in 2022.
On the season Davis, caught 22 passes for 369 yards and 2 TDs.
He’d join the Memphis Showboats in 2023, catching 8 passes for 115 yards and a 43 yard TD.
Unfortunately his season ended prematurely during his 3rd contest, and he’d be waived with an injury designation,
NOTES:
I had sent to Rashard back at the tail end of 2023, but didn’t hear back from him. One of many recent discouraging recent TTMs.
Joe’s package of kindness couldn’t have arrived at a better time. I was having a really tough month. A complete series of setbacks… trying to fix problems and just watching it all disintegrate in front of me. Some weeks, the days are all just a blur, taking care of everything the best I could, leaving me less time than I’d like to pursue my hobbies.
It’s nice to be thought of from time to time…. Keeps me going.
CARD: Upper Deck USFL 2023 ACQUIRED: IP 2024, San Antonio Brahmas v Birmingham Stallions
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Marlon Williams played WR at UCF from 2017-’20.
In each year he saw his playing time and catches increase.
During 2020 he had 71 receptions for 1039 yards and 10 TDs.
Went unselected in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Signed with the Houston Texans but was cut before camp.
Joined the USFL in 2022 and played for the Birmingham Stallions.
In the inaugural season he caught 32 passes for 474 yards and 4 TDs.
His yards ranked 3rd in the league while his receiving TDs ranked second.
Contributed mightily to the Stallions USFL Championship that season, catching 7 passes for 105 yards and a TD.
Resigned for the 2023 season, injuries limited him to just one start.
Returned in 2024 for Stallions’ 3rd season, and caught 26 passes for 313 yards and 4 TDs.
NOTES:
Marlon was one of the few Stallions I caught walking off the field at the end of the contest. He saw the card and flashed a smile and came over and signed two for me. It’s a great looking card bordered by some boring looking design work.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
