Tag Archives: sacramento surge

Goldberg, Bill

Pro Set 1991 World League Helmet Insert Card, #8

CARDS: Pro Set 1991 World League Insert, Ultimate WL 1992
ACQUIRED: In Person, 2023

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Defensive tackle Bill Goldberg played college football at Georgia from 1987-89.
  • An 11th round draft choice of the Los Angeles Rams in the 1990 Draft.
  • He made the franchise and was with the team through the offseason of 1991.
  • Bill signed with the Sacramento Surge of the World League in 1992.
  • He helped anchor down an impressive defense notching 3 sacks on the season, as the team won World Bowl II.
  • After the World League collapsed, Bill signed with the Sacramento Goldminers of the CFL that year.
  • This led him to the Atlanta Falcons during that same year in 1992.
  • Bill played with the Falcons through 1994.
  • In a preseason game against the Eagles, Bill tore his abductor muscle from his pelvis.
  • This caused him incredible pain while he searched for a proper diagnosis.
  • Ultimately he’d be cut by the Falcons, and then later picked up by the new expansion franchise, the Carolina Panthers.
  • And… he’d be the first player cut by the Panthers.
  • In the meantime, during his rehab, he’d met many wrestlers and was eventually convinced to try his hand at the sport.
  • He quickly ascended the ranks of WCW and made his debut as ‘Goldberg’ in 1997.
  • Won 173 straight wrestling matches.
  • When WCW was bought out by the WWE, Goldberg wrestled in Japan for two years before returning stateside to the WWE.
  • Took a break from wrestling, returning to the sport in 2015 during Legends of Wrestling.
  • Officially returned to WWE in 2016, retiring from the sport unofficially in 2022.
  • Rumors continue to swirl about his return to the sport.
  • Has appeared and been in numerous movies and TV shows.
Ultimate WL 1992 Team Checklist, #147

ACCOLADES:

  • WWE Hall of Fame
  • WWE Championship
  • WWE Universal Championship x2
  • WCW World Heavyweight Champion x2
  • WCW World Tag Team Champion
  • WcW United States World Heavyweight Champion x2

NOTES:

Bill is passionate about his charitable causes, notably Purple Heart services for wounded veterans. He also is Jewish- And while he’s extremely respectful of his religious upbringing, it’s something that’s just not talked about a lot.

So a few months ago when the XFL Brahmas opened up shop, some of my friends were invited to a special gathering for the team at the stadium. There they met many of the players and there was a special appearance by Bill Goldberg! (I had not realized he was still so passionate about the sport of Spring Football.)

When this event popped up in Boerne, I got that feeling that, maybe Bill would show up. Y’know a gut feeling. I told my friend who was going with me (Jeff) to not be surprised and to plan as if he might be attending. When we got to this really good taco joint, everything just seemed to line up. Jeff noted the autograph on the wall from Goldberg. Then I texted my friend Brandon, and he said, “Oh yeah, Goldberg will be there.” Just as we were about to step out, the man himself walked in.

Jeff nudged me and we played it cool. When we did speak to Goldberg, I talked to him about the World League and told him about how I probably walked by him at that last game when he was with the Surge, and they beat the Riders in the ‘Do or Die’ game. And while we lost, I left satisfied that next year might be the Riders’ year… <insert audible trail off>

He gave a chuckle and told me that it was a great time. That back then he was pretty close to the stadium since he was living in San Marcos… but that it was from SO LONG AGO. He then took this awesome photo with me.

Later right before he left I approached him one more time and thanked him for his time in the World League. And I’ll say this to any World League player I run into or get the autograph of: It meant so much to me that you guys were chasing your dreams. My father was not the greatest father, but he tried, and the way he got started was by taking me to those World League games. It really helped us bond. And I am forever grateful for every player who played in that league.

He told me that it meant to him more than I’d know- and that honestly meant to me, so, so much.

NFL

TACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDLG
110.0000-.-0-.-

WL

TACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDLG
N/a3.0000-.-0-.-

Proctor, Basil

CARD: Wild Card World League 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
SENT: 2/1 RECEIVED: 4/18 (76 days)
FAILURE: TTM 2019, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played college ball initially at Miami (FL) before joining West Virigina.
  • 7th round pick of the New York Jets in 1990 but didn’t make the squad.
  • Played in the CFL for the Saskatchewan Roughriders during 1991 recording 5 sacks.
  • Later was drafted by the Sacramento Surge of the World League and joined them for the 1992 season.
  • A hybrid linebacker/safety, Proctor was right at home playing in the role, where he helped the Surge win World Bowl II.
  • Played in 1993 for the Sacramento Gold Miners.
  • Signed with the San Diego Chargers in 1995, before heading over to the Arena Football League in 1996.
  • Played 9 seasons of Arena ball at LB/RB, starting with Connecticut and Florida in 1996.
  • Then one year stops with New Jersey, Grand Rapids, Iowa, and New York through 2001.
  • Spent final 3 years of football career (2002-2004) playing for the Tampa Bay Storm.
  • Has been a lightning rod of controversy, thanks to legal issues.

NOTES:

Well there’s a first for everything. I struggled to find Basil even going so far as to looking for him through an offender database. I received the card back damaged and signed on the back, so I’ll take what I can get especially after throwing up a hail mary at the address I found.

CFL

TACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDLG
N/a6.0000-.-0-.-

WL

TACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDLG
N/a1.0000-.-0-.-

ARENA

TACSACFUMINTYDSAVGTDLG
735.02221.012T
RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
1774562.5721N/A

Burse, Tony

Wild Card World League 1992, #46

CARD: Wild Card World League 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
SENT: 5/10 RECEIVED: 5/20 (10 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Fullback who played at Middle Tennessee State from 1983-86.
  • Led the way for the Blue Raiders’ rushing attack, paving the way for 3 1,000 yard rushers.
  • Led the team in receptions with 27 for 266 yards in 1985.
  • Was selected in the 12th round of the NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks in 1987.
  • Made the squad and saw time on special teams and sparingly on offense.
  • Was on and off the rosters of the Seahawks and Dolphins through the end of 1989.
  • Joined the WLAF in 1991 with the Sacramento Surge.
  • Paved the way in 1992 for Mike Pringle at RB, while catching 22 passes.
  • Played for the Arena Football League in 1993 and 94 (Detroit Drive/Massachusetts Marauders.
  • Then joined the CFL Sacramento Gold Miners during the 94 season.
  • When the franchise moved to San Antonio and became the Texans- Tony came along too.
  • Rushed for 304 yards (60 carries) and caught 30 passes for 291 yards.
  • Played the next three seasons for the Edmonton Eskimos.
  • Had a career high 59 yard gallop in 95, and a career high 11 rushing TDs in 96.
  • Split time the next three years, literally playing football fulltime between the Arena Football League and the CFL.
  • Joined the Arena Buffalo Destroyers franchise in the Spring of ’99, while playing for the Toronto Argonauts in the Fall.
  • Had a career high 431 yards rushing for the Argos that year.
  • Retired after the 2001 season.

NOTES:

Tony had a long and illustrious tapestry of different football leagues woven into the fabric of his career. I had been looking for him for a very long time but after retracing my steps I was finally able to locate him and add him on his Wild Card ’92 entry.

NFL

RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
7365.1016

WLAF

RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
471372.9017
RECYDSAVGTDLG
352878.2034

CFL

RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
34414434.22959
RECYDSAVGTDLG
114113810.0352

ARENA

RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
1233472.820N/a
RECYDSAVGTDLG
89812.21N/a