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.
Well as you see here, 4th time’s the charm with Wayne. I knew I had a pretty decent lead on him. Meiselman pegged him down in Waco, but he moved and then I tracked him down on Facebook with no response. There I discovered he was doing work for the city. I then hit up two more addresses, and one of them it just sat in his mailbox until it was returned. The third time it took 2 months to be returned as a bad address. Staying persistent is the key, and finally I was able to get Bug on this last card of his after using a white pages crawler.
So many years have passed. As I drive back on the highway from San Antonio, it is without fail I pass through San Marcos, where the Riders played in 1992. Despite all the growth, all the construction, all the change, the memories still remain.
My dad would take me to and from those games. And after each game, we’d stop at a little convenience store (Ballard’s) just a bit out of the way going north back to town.
We’d stop in late in the evening after the game, walk in and I’d grab an ice cream sandwich and a drink to tide me over. When I’d get back to the car, I’d get in- and regardless of how dark it was- I’d take the time to thumb through my booty one more time, thinking about those autographs, the game, and the players I met.
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
XPA
XPM
PCT
FGA
FGM
PCT
LG
PTS
13
12
92.3
9
12
75.0
39
39
WLAF
XPA
XPM
PCT
FGA
FGM
PCT
LG
PTS
27
24
88.9
28
20
71.4
50
84
CFL
XPA
XPM
PCT
FGA
FGM
PCT
LG
PTS
72
72
100.0
91
74
81.3
N/A
306
ARENA
XPA
XPM
PCT
FGA
FGM
PCT
LG
PTS
298
273
91.6
162
60
37.0
N/A
453
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.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
