Card: ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Home
Sent: 8/9 Received: 8/17
A monster defensive lineman, Craig Schlichting played for the Wyoming Cowboys in college. As Team Captain, there he’d amass 135 tackles, 19 sacks, and 5 fumble recoveries over 4 years. He also won Weight Lifter of the Year honors from the college in 1989. The Minnesota Vikings scouts liked the 6-5, 270 pounder, and drafted Craig in the 8th round of the 1990 draft. Although he didn’t make the team, he eventually spent 5 games on the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers that season. The WLAF’s New York- New Jersey Knights drafted Schlichting in the 2nd round of the league’s 1991 positional draft. Craig ended up starting all 10 games for the Knights that season at defensive end, raking in 28 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and a recovered fumble. His 52 yards for losses, led the team. Perhaps his best day came against the Montreal Machine, where he manhandled their line for 4 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 33 yards in losses. Craig returned for the 1992 season, and put up another 3 sacks. After the WLAF reorganized following the 1992 season, Craig headed over to the Arena leagues, playing for the Cincinnati Rockers for one season recording 6 tackles, 3 sacks, and a forced fumble.
Oddly along with Paul Berardelli (who I received back on the same day), Craig entered into the educational system and has been with the Triton Public School System since 1993. He’s earned his Master’s in Educational Leadership and is currently a Principal at a Dodge Center Middle School in Minnesota. He wrote me perhaps the longest and kindest letter I’ve received to date from a player talking to me about his experience in the WLAF. In his letter he discusses the ‘quality of experience’ (ie. allowing fans onto the field and the affordability) that the league brought to the table. Craig went on to tell me about a fan who said he couldn’t get a Giants ticket for even $100.00, but for the Knights, he could get tickets, parking, and a hot dog for less than that. Craig also agreed that the WLAF could have been successful if the NFL had just committed to the WLAF’s success instead of just letting it die on the vine in North America. Such a shame really, because based on the fan’s reaction to Craig, it sounds like there were a few crazed fans out there just like myself that appreciated what WLAFers were doing. I gave Craig an extra card, that I hope that he takes the time to frame somewhere for the great memories.
Tac N/a Sac 9.5 Fum N/a Int 0 Yds 0 Avg -.- Td 0 Lg -.-