Category Archives: CFL

Holland, John Robert “JR”

Card: ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: In Person 1992, San Antonio Riders v. Birmingham Fire

John Holland was part of the staunch defensive secondary of the Birmingham Fire that helped them make the playoffs both years of the WLAF.

Originally a member of the British Columbia Lions after graduating from Cal State Sacramento in 1989, Holland was drafted by the Birmingham Fire in the 4th round of the player allocation draft. Nicknamed “JR” and “Hollywood”,  Holland during the 1991 season would make 38 tackles, 3 interceptions, and a fumble recovery-  good enough for second team All World Honors.   He’d return again to the Fire for the 1992 season and make another interception.

As the league WLAF restructured, John caught on with San Fransisco 49ers and played with them in 1993. Later that year he’d sign with Edmonton of the CFL and play with them for the next 3 seasons. (He’d also undergo a name change at some point and begin going by Robert.) In 1994 Robert would make 8 interceptions and be named to the Canadian All Star team. He’d play again for British Columbia and Saskatchewan in 1996, before returning one more time to BC to close out his career in 1997.

G/Gp  20/20    Tac  N/a     Sac  N/a    Fum  N/a
Int   4     Yds   55     Avg   12.7      Lg  17    Td  0

 

Ellis, Ricky “Hollywood”

Card: BK 2009
Acquired: In Person 2011, Christian Okoye Foundation Skills Clinic

I met Ricky at the Christian Okoye Foundation Skills Camp in 2011. He was running drills with kids and giving them pep talks on life. Keenly aware possibly of the value and rarity of his card from the Topps 1985 USFL set, he had his own card printed that he gave to the kids. As I was wandering around taking photos of the different drills and kids, I was able to finagle a card and autograph off of him. We talked at length about NCAA corruption and how the history of the franchises he had played for had been erased.
When one kid refused to play as a ‘skin’ when the boys played were scrimmaging, the child came over to sit on the bleachers to pout with his father. Ricky noticed that the boy was not playing and literally came over to drag him back in. The child went ahead and scored a touchdown and made an interception during the scrimmage. An excitable and electric personality, it’s no surprise that Ellis is President of NFL Alumni Association in Southern California.

After graduating from Cal State Fullerton, Ricky would be signed by the British Columbia Lions of the CFL in 1978.  He’d then make the jump to the USFL. Ricky would play in the USFL in 1983, where he’d establish himself as one of future NFL Hall of Famer Steve Young‘s primary targets on the Los Angeles Express.  During the 1983 season, he’d make 69 receptions for 719 yards and 6 touchdowns. In 1984, Ricky would make 25 receptions for 191 yards and a touchdown.  Among Ricky’s fondest memories of playing in the USFL was after a game against Bobby Hebert‘s Michigan Panthers, they’d head south to face the Tampa Bay Bandits, but were given a week off in between games. He spent the whole week jet skiing and started the game against the Bandits with sore hamstrings. Before the USFL imploded Ricky signed with the Houston Oilers and retired after the 1985 season.  He also at some point also played for the Seattle Seahawks.

As Ricky and I talked he lamented about how his history was being erased. The Astrodome and the Oilers were gone, Kingdome in Seattle imploded and the jerseys changed, the USFL of course long gone, and his college killing the football program there because of costs. After his NFL career Ricky has also spent time teaching, being a motivational speaker and a parole agent.

Below are Ricky’s USFL statistics:

GP 36    Rec 94     Yds  907     Avg   9.6     Td  7

 

Johnson, Will

Card: Jogo 1992
Acquired: TTM 1993, CFL Blitz

Will Johnson was originally a 5th round choice of the Chicago Bears back in 1987 out of Northeast Louisiana. He’d be one of only 5 picks by the Bears that season- which included Ron Morris and Jim Harbaugh. A tweener at 6’4″,  245 playing linebacker, Johnson would play briefly in only one game his rookie season, but would be cut in 1988.  1989 would be no less fortunate to Johnson playing in New Orleans. He’d be cut out of camp as hamstring injuries would limit his performance. Will would sign with the Canadian Football League in 1989 and play for the Calgary Stampeders, quickly asserting himself as a wrecking ball of destructive force at defensive end. With great speed and gigantic wingspan, Johnson became the prototypical defensive end for players of that era in the Canadian Leagues. By 1991, Will was now a CFL All Star- an honor he held through the 1995 season.  Will also won a Grey Cup Championship with the Stamps in 1992.  In 1994, Johnson led the CFL in sacks with 17 despite double and triple teams, and in 1996 he’d be named to the Stampeders 50th Anniversary Dream Team. After his 1996 with the Stampeders, Johnson would play one more additional season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders before retiring after the 1997 season with 99 sacks.

Since retiring, Johnson has used his long arms to become a member of law enforcement, where he is a constable for the Calgary Police Department. Will has spent some time coaching minor league football and also has delved into refereeing. In 2010 Johnson was also inducted into the Calgary Stampeders Wall of Honor.

G/Gs  N/a     Tac  288     Sac  99    Fum   11     Int   N/a     Yds   N/a    Avg  N/a   Td  N/a   Lg  N/a