Tag Archives: arizona hotshots

AFL

Williams, Kieron

Card: Topps AAF 2019
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 6/10 Received: 8/20 (71 days)

Kieron Williams played his college ball at Nebraska in 2016 and 2017. He saw action at both corner and safety for the Cornhuskers recording 36 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble, and took a lateral off of an interception 44 yards for a TD. He was not selected in the NFL draft and opted to sign with the Alliance of American Football in 2018. He was assigned to the Arizona Hotshots for the 2019 season and saw some action for the team. After notching 2 tackles in the preseason- when this great photo was probably taken- Williams started one game on the season, and finished with 7 total tackles.

It took Kieron a bit to get back to me, but with some persistence over Twitter he kindly responded to my request. A solid autograph, it has a nice amount of loops and dips in it. Kieron was not selected in the XFL 2020 draft, however he has his quickly established his own clothing line called Fake.

AAF, NFL, The Spring League

Edwards, SaQwan

Card: Topps AAF 2019 Certified
Acquired: 2019, EBay

After making his mark at Blinn Junior College, SaQwan Edwards transferred to New Mexico where he played from 2012 to 2014. Originally for the Lobos, SaQuan was a wide receiver. He’d record 11 plays from scrimmage for 90 yards and a TD. Then he’d convert over to corner in 2013 and post 42 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, 4 pass deflections and an interception. Edwards improved off those numbers slightly in 2014 with an additional 42 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 9 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions.

After not being drafted, thanks in part to a highly publicized rape accusation that was later dismissed, SaQwan was signed by the Raiders, and spent a good portion of 2015 and 2016 on and off the bubble of the team’s practice squad. In 2017, he was briefly a member of the Giants, before moving on to The Spring League in 2018.

In early 2019, SaQwan signed with the Arizona Hotshots of the AAF and saw limited playing time with the team making 1 tackle and a pass deflection on the season. He was later selected by the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL 2020, but declined to join the franchise after feeling the pay was not sufficient enough.

AAF, NFL, XFL

Johnson, Steven (LB)

Card: Topps AAF 2019
Acquired: 2019, EBay

Looks like Steven was getting a bit tired of signing cards at this point. The autograph looks a bit shortened- but I’ll take it!

Steven Johnson is a great football story- as he’s managed to succeed against all odds. He didn’t receive any college opportunities out of high school, and after playing both ways at Wyoming Seminary, he suffered a devastating knee injury that tore it essentially from the socket. After rehabbing, he walked-on at Kansas and fought his way up the depth chart. By his Junior year he was an entrenched starter at linebacker. He finished his college career with 225 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 pass deflections and an interception in 35 games.

Undrafted, Steven signed with the Denver Broncos in 2012 and managed to make the 52 man roster playing primarily on special teams. He started 7 games in 2014 at middle linebacker, posting 39 total tackles, .5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. He’d then embark on a series on stops with the Titans (2015), Steelers (2016), Steelers and Ravens (2017).

He’d join the Alliance of American Football for the 2019 season and be assigned to the Arizona Hotshots. Steven had a banner season for the Hotshots. He’d lead the team in interceptions with 3, and finish 3rd on the team in combined tackles with 48.

After the AAF folded suddenly, Johnson was selected by the Seattle Dragons of the XFL 2020. Over the course of the 5 game season, Steven posted 48 tackles to lead all players in the league. Unfortunately due to the Coronavirus outbreak- the XFL cancelled the remainder of the season