The Dresden Monarchs have brought have a familiar piece of last year’s championship team in wide receiver Darrell Stewart Jr.
One of the German Football League’s best weapons of 2021 is now back in Dresden, hoping to recreate what the Monarchs did last season.
The 6’2″, 216-pound pass-catcher was the leading receiver in the German Football League last season putting up 1,369 yards, 82 catches, and 22 touchdowns. With 22 scores, no player reached the endzone in the GFL more than him. Obviously, Stewart Jr played a key role in the Dresden Monarchs’ historic title run last year. In the biggest game of the season, he made eight catches, for 100 yards and a touchdown helping Dresden capture the German Bowl.
“I’m very excited to see my boys again and I’m really looking forward to the Dresden fans, who inspired me so much last year.”
Before heading to Germany last year, the Houston, Texas native was a three-year starter for the Michigan State Spartans and finished his career with 150 receptions for 1,640 yards and seven touchdowns in 43 games. He was ranked among the Spartans all-time leaders in receptions (3rd with 150), receptions per game (9th with 3.49) and receiving yards (tied for 23rd with 1,640 yards). He also recorded 2,363 all-purpose yards (1,640 receiving; 551 kick return; 152 rushing; 20 punt return).
He was also one of the most consistent wide receivers on the team with at least one reception in the last 33 games he played and three straight years with at least 48 receptions (50 in 2017; 48 in 2018; 49 in 2019). He was a criminal justice major but interestingly won the team’s Doug Weaver “Oil Can” Award (team humorist) three years in a row (2017-19).
Stewart spent most of the 2020 preseason with the Green Bay Packers and then was picked up by the Carolina Panthers but released in late September of last year.
Stewart Jr. now joins a 1-1 Dresden team looking to get back to championship form in a competitive GFL North. He’ll make his return to the field this Saturday June 12th as the Monarchs take on the Berlin Adler.
