CARDS: Playoff Contenders European Ticket 2000 ACQUIRED: 2021, Future Considerations
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Talented athlete played for UAB in 96 and 97 converting from quarterback to wide receiver.
In his only year at WR posted 38 receptions for 823 yards and 7 TDs.
Spent majority of rookie year on Cardinals practice squad.
Opted to hone his skills in NFLE with the Scottish Claymores in 1999, posting 11 catches for 181 yards and two TDs.
Allocated to NFLE in 2000 playing for the Rhein Fire.
Led league with 12 touchdown catches.
Returned stateside in 2000 and spent the year on the practice squad of the Bills and Broncos.
In 2001 was a territorial allocation of the XFL 2001 Birmingham Bolts.
Signed with Cowboys but did not make the squad.
Opted to sign with the CFL in 2002, playing for the Ottawa Renegades, but retired due to concussions.
NOTES: Drake estimates that he suffered from at least 10 concussions over his career in football, with three being knockouts. He now suffers daily from the debilitating side effects of those head injuries, and spends his time coaching football and also improving education and awareness of concussion safety.
Stepfret Williams played for Louisiana-Monroe in 1994 and 1995.
He racked up some monster numbers posting two back to back 1,000 yard seasons.
In just two years he had 123 catches for 2162 yards (17.6 YPR) and 22 TDs.
The Dallas Cowboys selected Stepfret in the 3rd round of the 1996 NFL Draft.
Came into his own as a slot man, posting 30 receptions for 308 yards with 21 of those going for first downs and 1 for a TD.
Released by Cowboys in 1998, he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Signed as a free agent with the San Diego Chargers in 2000, but did not make the squad.
Williams played in the XFL in 2001 posting 828 yards on 51 receptions.
1997 SPx, #SPX33
ACCOLADES:
XFL (2001) league leader in receiving yards (828).
2001 Topps XFL, #61
NOTES:
Stepfret was a curiosity to me. I felt he could’ve really excelled at the pro level, but just needed more seasoning. I was surprised that after his Birmingham Bolt experience he didn’t find a home with an NFL team. Great cards and autographs, I loved all three of these. Holograms were such a niche thing back then but this one looked great on a card.
Recorded 83 total tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 2 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble over his time with the Tigers.
Selected in the 4th round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.
Waived in 2016 by the Lions, he spent the next few seasons on and off practice squads and promoted to the active rosters of the Browns (16/17), Eagles (17), Dolphins (17/18), and Raiders (19).
Over his NFL career he’s recorded 13.5 total tackles and 2 pass deflections.
Wright was selected by the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL, during their supplemental portion of their draft in 2019.
He had a solid season with the Roughnecks posting 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 2020.
After the league suspended operations due to COVID Gabe signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
