It took until year three of the stadium and he had to do it from the visiting sideline but UNLV Hall of Famer Keenan McCardell finally got to see the inside of the new home of the Rebels last weekend.
McCardell was in town as the second-year wide receivers coach for the NFL's Minnesota Vikings, who lost to the hometown Raiders 26-20 on Sunday afternoon.
McCardell, who left as UNLV's all-time leading receiver with 2,189 yards (now ranking 11th) after his stellar career from 1987-90, turned in the best NFL career among all Rebel alumni not named Randall Cunningham. His 12 seasons for five different teams included 883 grabs for more than 11,000 yards and 63 touchdowns. The two-time Pro Bowler is also the only UNLV product to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl -- grabbing two for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their win over the Raiders.
The Houston, Texas, native has been a frequent visitor to Las Vegas since graduation but had never before been inside Allegiant Stadium, he told longtime broadcaster Tony Cordasco in a radio interview leading up to the game.
"It's always great to come back to Vegas," McCardell told Cordasco. "Brings back great memories for me being a Rebel. The city has been so wonderful for me."
Asked about the current UNLV team, McCardell was all positive.
"Coach Arroyo has them going in the right direction...Go Rebs!"
