Tag Archives: carolina cobras

Lester, Tim

Topps XFL, #17
Topps XFL 2001, Loaded Cannon #8

CARDS: Topps XFL 01, Topps XFL 01 Loaded Cannon
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Work
SENT: 4/11 RECEIVED: 4/30 (19 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • QB at Western Michigan (96-99) that helped put school on the map.
  • Set 17 school records, throwing for 11,299 yards and 87 TDs.
  • Went undrafted in 2000, but was selected in the 6th round of the XFL 2001 draft.
  • Threw for 4 TDs and 554 yards playing for the Chicago Enforcers, but was cut midseason.
  • Signed by the Arena Football League, playing for the Nashville Kats and Carolina Cobras in 2001.
  • Then spent 2002 with the Memphis Xplorers of the AFL2.
  • Has been pretty much coaching since he left college, slowly working way up college ranks.
  • In 2017, returned to Western Michigan and was named head coach of the Broncos.

NOTES:

Nice response here from Tim who inscribed this note on his own card. I was surprised he didn’t have more cards or play in the NFLE.

XFL

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704458151.9%4568t67.1

Nittmo, Bjorn

Pro Set World League 1991, #91

Cards: Pro Set World League 1991, Ultimate World League 1992
Acquired: TTM 2021, C/o Home
Sent: 6/21 Received: 7/24 (33 days)
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • At time of graduation, was Appalachian State’s all-time leading scorer with 277 points, and field goals made (62).

  • Undrafted in 1989, tasted first NFL action later that year with the New York Giants. 

  • Scored 39 points in 6 games, converting 9 of 12 field goals as injury replacement for Raul Allegre.

  • After failing to beat out Nick Lowery in camp in 1990 with the Chiefs, was the #1 overall pick amongst kickers in the WLAF positional draft by the Montreal Machine in 1991.

  • Paired with punter Chris Mohr to form the best special teams duo in the World League.

  • Scored 51 points on 13 of 18 field goals for the Machine in 1991, setting numerous league records along the way including most field goals in a game (4, Orlando), and longest field goal (50 yards, SA).
     
  • After season concluded, signed alongside Mohr to the Buffalo Bills, but failed to unseat incumbent kicker Scott Norwood.

  • Joined the Cleveland Thunderbolts of the Arena Football League in 1993 playing one season with the franchise.

  • Hopped over to the CFL, kicking for the Shreveport Pirates in 1994 and 95.

  • After two more attempts at making an NFL roster in 1996 (Chiefs) and 1997 (Bucs), returned to the Arena Football League in 1998.
  • Played for the Tampa Bay Storm (1998), Buffalo Destroyers (1999), Arizona Rattlers (2000), and Carolina Cobras (2001).

  • Briefly reemerged for a comeback attempt in 2005 and was an offseason addition for the Ottawa Renegades, retiring soon thereafter. 

ACCOLADES:

  • All World League 1991 Second Team
Ultimate World League 1992, #85

NFL

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131292.391275.03939

WLAF

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272488.9282071.45084

CFL

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7272100.0917481.3N/A306

ARENA

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29827391.61626037.0N/A453

NOTES:

Bjorn Nittmo was the first Swede to play professional gridiron football and is considered an ambassador of the sport. While playing for the Giants, late night host David Letterman fell in love with his name and made jokes about it, leading to two appearances by Nittmo on Letterman’s show in late 1989 and early 1990. In 1999, Bjorn also appeared in the movie Any Given Sunday and was the placekicker for the Sharks.

Nittmo is unfortunately a long study in concussions and CTE. After taking a bone crunching hit during the preseason with the Bucs, he was never the same again. His short term memory was severely damaged by the injury and he apparently has dealt mood swings. Estranged from his family, he became a nomad of sorts, moving around the country, picking up jobs here and there. Over the years, multiple articles have been written about his case, so after failing out in 2010 on him- not knowing he was estranged from his family, I tracked him down in Northern Arizona of all places.

It’s a small world really. Back in 2007 I drove through Northern Arizona, and passed through the town he was living in. The only reason I remember it was because it was in the middle of nowhere, and it was just a blip on the radar, so I honed in on his location and wrote him a letter.

I was shocked to get a response from this ‘white whale’ in less than 30 days. It was nice hearing from him. I know his life has been… hard- over the last few years, but I hope that he is making the best of it and trying to better himself.

As a final note, I’d like to thank those out there who have collaborated with me over the years to find World League players. I have been at this for many years now. This is a success, for me personally, a triumph of singularity that others can only claim to have found, but more than likely got from me. – There is no reason I shouldn’t toot my horn about this one.

Nonetheless, I hope that this information finds its way into the right hands, and reunites some more players with each other and brings back fond memories of their time in the World League.

Doxzon, Todd

Card: Topps XFL 2001
Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Home
Sent: 4/30 Received: 5/13 (13 days)

Todd Doxzon played for the Iowa State Cyclones from 1993 to 1996. At quarterback, Todd ‘s best year was in 1996, when he threw for 1498 yards and 12 TDs, while rushing 86 times for 223 yards and 4 TDs.

Todd accepted an invitation to join the NFLE in 1998, where he switched to wide receiver. He caught 8 passes for 135 yards and 2 TDs for the Amsterdam Admirals. Doxzon returned stateside later that year and suited up for 9 games for the Dolphins- rushing 2 times for 6 yards. The Dolphins allocated Todd back to the NFLE for 1999. He’d catch another 8 passes for 145 yards and a 75 yard TD.

In 2001, Todd played for the Los Angeles Xtreme of the XFL, and then joined the Arena Football League, playing for New York Dragons, catching 52 passes for 642 yards and 21 TDs. He played an additional two years the Dragons, and then the Carolina Cobras in 2004, where he caught a career high 94 passes for 1142 yards and 23 TDs. He then split a final season between the Georgia Force and the New York Dragons in 2005 before he retired.

Todd is now a parishioner in the Omaha area. He wrote me a nice note thanking me for writing and praying for my family and my continued safety during this current time (COVID).

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1628017.5375T
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263.003
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208 271913.066N/A