Tag Archives: edmonton eskimos

CFL, NFL, WLAF

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

 

NFL, Pro Football HoF

Moon, Warren (2)


Cards: ProSet 1990 MotY, Score 1990 Hot Gun, Pro Set 1990
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 4/2  Received:  5/4   (32 days)
Previous Posting: Moon, Warren 12/12/10

When I was a kid, I got Warren’s autograph at training camp one year. While not afforded the opportunity to attend nearly everyday (such as in the case of Cowboys Training Camp in Austin,) I did make the best of it when I went to Oilers’ camp in San Antonio. The players were also kind enough as well and I would typically haul in 15-30 autographs a day when I’d go. I never held it against Warren that I couldn’t get his autograph more than once, but resisted sending out again in 2011 (-for fear that I wouldn’t get it).  I noticed a lot of multiple successes recently from the former Oilers great, and since I had gotten a lot of autographs from other members of the team, I thought I’d give it a shot. I sent out to his address in Kirkland, Washington but heard a week or two later that he had moved back to Southern California. With a lot of these successes happening in under 2 weeks, I got discouraged that I’d ever get the cards back.  It did take a bit more longer than usual, but postmarked from Santa Ana, Ca (lending creedance to the rumor he was indeed living here) I got Warren’s autograph on these 3 additional cards in a still brisk 32 days. He also included a business card for Warren Moon Enterprises- Sports 1 Marketing. You can follow him through Twitter at twitter.com/WMoon1, Facebook at facebook.com/HWarrenMoon1 or go to his website at www.sports1marketing.com where you can locate his physical address if you wish to get his autograph as well.

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