Tag Archives: saskatchewan roughriders

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

 

CFL, NFL

Johnson, Will

Card: Jogo 1992
Acquired: TTM 1993, CFL Blitz

Will Johnson was originally a 5th round choice of the Chicago Bears back in 1987 out of Northeast Louisiana. He’d be one of only 5 picks by the Bears that season- which included Ron Morris and Jim Harbaugh. A tweener at 6’4″,  245 playing linebacker, Johnson would play briefly in only one game his rookie season, but would be cut in 1988.  1989 would be no less fortunate to Johnson playing in New Orleans. He’d be cut out of camp as hamstring injuries would limit his performance. Will would sign with the Canadian Football League in 1989 and play for the Calgary Stampeders, quickly asserting himself as a wrecking ball of destructive force at defensive end. With great speed and gigantic wingspan, Johnson became the prototypical defensive end for players of that era in the Canadian Leagues. By 1991, Will was now a CFL All Star- an honor he held through the 1995 season.  Will also won a Grey Cup Championship with the Stamps in 1992.  In 1994, Johnson led the CFL in sacks with 17 despite double and triple teams, and in 1996 he’d be named to the Stampeders 50th Anniversary Dream Team. After his 1996 with the Stampeders, Johnson would play one more additional season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders before retiring after the 1997 season with 99 sacks.

Since retiring, Johnson has used his long arms to become a member of law enforcement, where he is a constable for the Calgary Police Department. Will has spent some time coaching minor league football and also has delved into refereeing. In 2010 Johnson was also inducted into the Calgary Stampeders Wall of Honor.

G/Gs  N/a     Tac  288     Sac  99    Fum   11     Int   N/a     Yds   N/a    Avg  N/a   Td  N/a   Lg  N/a

CFL, NFL, WLAF, XFL

Kiselak, Mike

Card: Ultimate WLAF 1992, Athletes in Action Card
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Work
Sent: 2/14   Received: 4/16 (61 days)

After tryouts with the Giants, Chiefs, and Oilers in 1990, Mike Kiselak, was drafted by the San Antonio Riders in 1991 (4th round) and played both guard and center for the team starting all 10 games blocking for All World League runningback Ricky Blake. At 6’3″, 295, he was the ideal combination of size and power for the Mike Riley‘s run oriented offense. In 1992, Kiselak would return to the Riders for a second year with the team and block for the Riders once again potent rushing attack under Ivory Lee Brown. San Antonio would dominate opponents on the ground and finish with a 7-3 record, but the WLAF would reorganize after the 1992 season.

Mike would be signed by the Sacramento Gold Miners of the CFL and play with them through their transition back to San Antonio to become the Texans in 1995 where he would be a CFL All Star at Center for the team. After the CFL reorganized following the season, Mike was drafted by the Roughriders in the dispersal draft in 1996, but was traded almost immediately in exchange for John Terry, to the Toronto Argonauts. Kiselak would continue to leave his mark, winning multiple offensive lineman awards and being named the CFL’s Outstanding Lineman in 1996 and 1997.

Mike returned to the NFL in 1998 and play for the Dallas Cowboys, playing in 15 games and starting 7.  He’d retire briefly but return to start for the San Fransisco Demons of the XFL in 2001 before finally finishing his career.

Since retirement Kiselak has become a church minister, a motivational speaker and is on the board of Kids Matters International. I emailed Mike to ask his permission to send this Ultimate 1991 card and while I did wait about 60 days for a response, he he was more than happy to sign the card for me. He also added in one to boot, and inscribed it with the passage from Matt 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”