CARDS: Topps XFL 2020 Certified, Topps XFL 2020 ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas v Orlando Guardians
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Defensive Lineman Stansly Maponga played college ball at TCU from 2010-12.
In 2011 he posted 55 total tackles, 13.5 TFL, 9 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles.
He was a 5th round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2015.
After not making the final cuts, he was resigned to the practice squad by the Falcons.
The Giants signed him later in 2017 to their regular season roster, and then retained him on their practice squad after the year.
Maponga then spent the next year or two of and on the practice squad and in the futures contract game with the Cowboys (2017), and Broncos (2017-18).
In late 2019, he’d be the first defender selected by the Seattle Dragons of the XFL for 2020.
On the 5 game season, he’d post 15 tackles.
After a brief flirtation with the Ottawa Redblacks of the CFL (2021), he’d be selected by the Orlando Guardians of the XFL 2023.
On the season Stansly posted 22 total tackles, and 2.5 sacks starting 9 games for the Guardians.
NOTES:
Stansly was another player within earshot as he left the field to go back to the locker room after warm-ups. He got past me, but when I called out his name, he was probably impressed that I knew how to pronounce it properly in the first place- turned around and came back to me. He graciously signed this card for me. I was really impressed by the broadness of his shoulders. He had gigantic shoulder pads for his size. We also joked about the fact he played for the Dragons, sans ‘Sea’.
It took a while, as I watched many others get their autographs before me, but my patience paid off as Dave took care of all my set needs. Some great cards here but the odd Action Packed really stands out to me.
Lawrence Dawsey played WR for Florida State from 1987-90.
Saw marked improvement every year in catches and yards playing for the Seminoles.
In his Senior year Dawsey posted 65 receptions for 999 yards and 7 TDs.
A 3rd round selection of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1991, Dawsey didn’t even start until Week 7 of the season.
He’d post 44 receptions after that point, including an 8 catch 100 yard (TD) effort against the Dolphins in week 13.
Finished rookie season with a career high 818 yards, 14.9 yards per reception, and 3 TDs (55 catches).
In ’92 Dawsey posted a career high 60 receptions (776 yards and a TD).
He’d play the next 3 seasons for the Bucs, finishing his career in Tampa with 2842 yards and 206 receptions (5 TD).
Joined the Giants for a season in 1996 starting 4 contests catching 18 passes for 233 yards.
Signed with the Dolphins in ’97 but saw no playing time with Miami.
After a year away from the sport in ’98, Lawrence played one final season in ’99 for the Saints, catching 16 passes for 196 yards and a TD.
In 2004 entered the college coaching ranks where he’s been a positional coach.
As of 2022, works as a WR coach at Appalachian St.
ACCOLADES:
1991 Offensive Rookie of the Year
Skybox Premium 1993, #179
NOTES:
Lawrence had been a white whale I’d been after for a while and I’d previously failed on two other occasions. I kept reloading in the hopes I could get his autograph on some cards and finally lucked out. Dawsey had an odd career trajectory in the pros. Over his 8 year career he caught 6 TDs on 240 receptions- with 3 of them coming in his rookie season.
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
240
3271
13.6
6
65
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
