The tragic passing of Donald Sellers in an automobile accident the weekend of 11-12 February 2001 means that Claymores and indeed all football fans will never get to see him fulfil his potential in the NFL. Ultimately it's another tale of talent gone astray, but Donald will always hold a special place in Scottish hearts. During his 2 seasons in Scotland, Sellers was a key cog of the best offensive football the Claymores have played in their existence. Consider this amazing statistic: In the 45 regular season games without Donald, the Claymores scored 30 or more points just 3 times (7%). In the 15 games that he played, they hit the 30-point mark an impressive 8 times (53%). And it wasn't just because he played on better teams in those years - if Sellers hadn't have turned up mid-season in 2000 it's doubtful whether the Claymores would have made World Bowl 2000 at all.

In 1999 he and QB Dameyune Craig and WR Yo Murphy came together to form the Claymores most potent offense in their history. His toughness was in display early in the season in a game in Berlin when he made a clutch catch over the middle despite a vicious hit from S Vann Washington. Washington's own hit was so hard he knocked himself woozy and had to leave the game, while Sellers jogged back to the huddle. He caught fire in mid season, burning the Galaxy for 7 catches for 141 yards in an overtime loss, and then the following week caught 2TD's to knock off unbeaten Barcelona at Murrayfield. Two weeks later however would be his greatest day, however history has tended to remember it as "Dameyune's Night" for his Hall of Fame 611 yards. But Donald set a league too that night, torching the Galaxy for an amazing 264 yards on 9 catches. (He would have had over 300 yards were it not for a flagrant pass interference). His 3^rd and final TD that night, a 41-yard bomb from Craig not only put his QB over the historic 600 yard mark, but was pivotal in sealing a thrilling 42-35 win.

However the Claymores wouldn't win again that season as their defense fell apart down the stretch but Sellers left the season on a memorable note. Trailing 30-14 in the dying seconds of the finale in Amsterdam with the team just about to quit, Sellers caught a TD, then a 2 point conversion and then recovered an onside kick in the blink of an eye to give the Claymores hope - but Craig was picked off right at the end to stop a miraculous comeback. His 58 catches on the season was a new Claymores record.

A beat up and bruised Sellers went back to Rams after the NFLE season, but due to his physical condition never had much of a chance of making the roster of what would be a Super Champion team. The Bears and Eagles took a look at him during the pre-season but Sellers couldn't re-produce his Claymores form for them and was cut by both. Undetermined, he decided to wanted to come back to Europe for 2000 but the sad truth was that there hesitation on the part of the Claymores coaching staff who felt that his tendency to take plays off, plus a questionable attitude were enough to offset his great talent. Undoubtedly this rejection sent a message to Donald.

However the Claymores passing game struggled early in 2000, and things came to a head after a Week 5 loss in Dusseldorf. Starting QB Kevin Daft was held to only 45 yards passing plus an injury to WR Deon Mitchell necessitated a roster shake up. Even the equipment guys right after the game knew it - it was time to dial for #4. And later that night Coach Criner said as much, and they flew Don in later that week. The jet lag would not deter him making a stunning impact however, as he torched the Galaxy (again) for 8 catches and 113 yards and 2 TD's in another overtime thriller that the Claymores would fall short in. Afterwards in the press conference, Sellers amazingly showed that he was in fact still jet-lagged, barely knowing if it was night or day. A broken nose didn't help either, but his presence instantly energised the passing offense, and other players notably WR Sulecio Sanford would enjoy better a 2^nd half because of it. He caught TD's in the next 3 games (all wins) as the Claymores sealed a World Bowl berth. Although he was shut out of the end zone in the season finale in Barcelona, he amazingly had 3 TD's called back (one which was a bogus call as replays showed he got 2 feet in bounds).

His impact was stunning. In the 5 games before he arrived the Claymores averaged 148 yards passing and 2TD's a game. After he touched down, they averaged a much more healthy 224 yards and 3TD's per game. Perhaps just as impressive was his change in attitude and maturity that was noted by people close to the team. He had learnt from his mistakes the season before. Unfortunately the magic couldn't bring home a World Bowl despite Donald being the games top receiver with 4 grabs for 56 yards. His 25 yard catch in the 2^nd quarter set up Rob Hart's FG for a 10-3 lead. Then he made two clutch catches on the final drive of the game for 1^st downs but alas Hart couldn't make the kick this time and there would be no World Bowl ring for Donald.

On returning stateside, Donald again couldn't find the right team as Carolina cut him in days of him signing. It seemed that he was destined to play for Criner again, this time for Las Vegas in the upstart XFL, but some legal difficulties put his career on hold. Unfortunately he would never get a chance to clear his name and continue his career, as his fateful trip back to Arizona from Las Vegas on the February 11-12 weekend would claim his life.