Category Archives: WLAF

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Bell, Kerwin

Cards: ProSet 1991, ProSet WLAF 1991, Ultimate 1992 Promo
Acquired: In Person 1992, San Antonio Riders v Orlando Thunder
Failure: C/o Jacksonville State, April 2010
See also: Kerwin Bell (2)

Kerwin Bell started the first game I watched in WLAF history- a shoot out on NFL network between the San Antonio Riders and the Orlando Thunder. Kerwin Bell would lead the Thunder to victory in that game wearing the helmet camera 35-34 over the Riders that day in 1991.

After an acclaimed career playing for the University of Florida, Bell would be drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 7th round of the 1988 draft, but he’d end up on Atlanta where he’d finish the season behind incumbent quarterback Chris Miller. In 1989 Bell would travel back to Florida where he’d play for the Buccaneers and would be out of football in 1990.

The Orlando Thunder would come calling in 1991 for the WLAF and he’d respond with a solid season throwing for 2214 yards and 17 touchdowns under coach Don Matthews. Wearing the helmet camera on opening night of 1991, he’d lead the Orlando Thunder to an exciting 35-34 victory over the San Antonio Riders, throwing 3 touchdowns to Byron Williams. With 1992 however the NFL allocated players to the WLAF from their player pool of ‘future stars’. With new head coach Galen Hall taking over for Matthews, the team snatched up Dan Marino‘s heir, Scott Mitchell, and Kerwin spent the season strangely on the bench. The team would win World Bowl II, and Bell would see only cleanup time throwing a touchdown in relief. The WLAF would disband after the season and Kerwin would join CFLUSA playing for the Sacramento Gold Miners in 1993 and 1994. He’d hop over to Edmonton in 1995 for a year before being signed by the Indianapolis Colts in 1996. Bell would stay there through the 1997 season where he’d post a perfect quarterback rating completing all 5 passes for 75 yards and a touchdown. In 1998 he’d return to the CFL to play for the Argos where with a vengeance he’d throw for almost 5000 yards and almost 70% of his passes and be a CFL East All Star. He’d hop over to Winnipeg in 1999 for a season and a half before returning to Toronto to close out his playing career after 2001.

He’d jump into coaching being offensive coordinator for the Argos for a season and then into the high school ranks for a bit. After a successful stint at that level he’d be hired by Jacksonville University where he’s been since 2007. When I had gone onto the field to get Scott’s autograph, I was able to do virtually the same with Kerwin. I felt that Bell was the face of the WLAF and was annoyed when he was relegated to the bench in 1992. He graciously signed all 3 cards for me, including this Ultimate WLAF card which was a promo only handed out at games. I sent him two cards in April of 2010, (Kerwin’s Wild Card 1992 and his regular Ultimate 1992 card,) but did not heard back from him. After seeing a few successes in 2012, I took another shot at him and had a success in February of 2012. Below are his WLAF statistics and a few videos.

G/Gs 11/10       Att 331      Comp 185        Yds  2276        Pct  55.9%         Td  17        Int  14         Rat  77.8

Kerwin at Florida v Auburn http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvE5ob0VQ-o
Comical moment involving Kerwin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPYvI4xOOxQ&feature=related
Kerwin discusses wide receivers at Jacksonville University http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTMpaA0i7YI&feature=related

NFL, WLAF

Teeter, Mike

Cards: ProSet 1991, ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o Home
Sent:  8/27/10  Received: 1/10/11  (130 days)

At 6’2″, 266 defensive end seemed more fitting for the former Michigan alum who was incredibly speedy (4.6) and strong (bench 600 lbs) for his size, but in the end Mike Teeter would play nose tackle in the 3-4 alignment for the Frankfurt Galaxy’s top rated defense in 1991. He’d be named second team All-World after making 3 sacks that season. After his WLAF stint Teeter would return stateside landing on the Houston Oilers roster in 1993. He’d make a sack that season but would not see any real significant playing time through 1994. He’d sign with Carolina in 1995, and then the Cardinals in 1996 before retiring. He also had short stints on the Eagles and Colts. Teeter afterwards would spend time coaching defensive line at Indiana, and was named to the Muskegon Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. I love getting WLAF autographs, especially the teams based in Europe so I was happy to get this one in the mail over 100 days after I sent it out. Below are Mike’s WLAF stats.

G/Gs  10/10   Tac  N/a   Sac 3.0  Fum N/a

NFL, WLAF

Norgard, Erik

Card: Wild Card Wlaf 1992
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o Home
Sent: 8/27  Received: 12/16 (105 days)

Young offensive lineman Erik Norgard was signed by the Houston Oilers as a free agent in 1989. A gem in the rough, at 6-1, 290, Norgard posessed the size, strength, and mobility, to play any position on the line in the Oilers’ run ‘n shoot offense. After he sat out his whole rookie season due to injury, Norgard was assigned by the team to the World League Allocation draft for 1992.

The San Antonio Riders stuck him right into the starting lineup and he’d play at guard blocking for Ivory Lee Brown. It paid off as Brown would lead the league in rushing yardage behind Erik and the team plowed ahead to a 7-3 record.

After the dissolution of the WLAF in 1992, Norgard returned to the Oilers, starting four games in 1993, and seven in 1994, before returning to being a key backup offensive lineman for the team. He’d move with the team to Tennessee in 1997 and play there through 1998. In 1999 he’d sign with the New York Jets and retire soon thereafter.  Over 9 seasons and 108 contests,  Erik caught 2 tackle eligible touchdowns, and started 12 games in the NFL.