Category Archives: CFL

Arena, CFL, NFL, WLAF

Nittmo, Bjorn

Pro Set World League 1991, #91

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

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131292.391275.03939

WLAF

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272488.9282071.45084

CFL

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7272100.0917481.3N/A306

ARENA

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29827391.61626037.0N/A453

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.

CFL, NFL, NFLE, XFL

Drake, Kevin

Playoff Contenders European Ticket 2000, #157

CARDS: Playoff Contenders European Ticket 2000
ACQUIRED: 2021, Future Considerations

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Talented athlete played for UAB in 96 and 97 converting from quarterback to wide receiver.
  • In his only year at WR posted 38 receptions for 823 yards and 7 TDs.
  • Spent majority of rookie year on Cardinals practice squad.
  • Opted to hone his skills in NFLE with the Scottish Claymores in 1999, posting 11 catches for 181 yards and two TDs.
  • Allocated to NFLE in 2000 playing for the Rhein Fire.
  • Led league with 12 touchdown catches.
  • Returned stateside in 2000 and spent the year on the practice squad of the Bills and Broncos.
  • In 2001 was a territorial allocation of the XFL 2001 Birmingham Bolts. 
  • Signed with Cowboys but did not make the squad.
  • Opted to sign with the CFL in 2002, playing for the Ottawa Renegades, but retired due to concussions.

NOTES:
Drake estimates that he suffered from at least 10 concussions over his career in football, with three being knockouts. He now suffers daily from the debilitating side effects of those head injuries, and spends his time coaching football and also improving education and awareness of concussion safety.

NFLE

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4870614.71455t

XFL

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22914.5027
CFL, FXFL, NFL

Freeman, Josh

Score 2009 Hot Rookie, #13

CARDS: Score 2009, Score 2009 Hot Rookies, Panini Rookies & Stars 2010
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home
SENT: 7/26 RECEIVED: 8/12 (17 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Large and mobile QB in the mold of Duante Culpepper.
  • Completed 680 passes for 8,078 yards, 44 touchdowns and 34 interceptions in 35 career games- and a school record 8427 yards.
  • Was the 17th overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
  • By midseason, was established as Bucs starter at QB.
  • In 2010, led Bucs to 10-6 record, passing for 3451 yards and 25 TDs to just 6 interceptions.
  • Tied for NFL lead with 5 4th quarter comebacks that year.
  • Passed for career high 4065 yards and 27 TDs in 2012.
  • Threw 95 yard pass to Vincent Jackson to lead NFL that season.
  • In 2013, Tampa decided to go in a different direction at QB- and after 5 games was cut.
  • Spent the remainder of the 2013 season on the roster of the Minnesota Vikings.
  • Signed and cut by the Giants in 2014 before camp.
  • Spent 2015 on the preseason roster of the Miami Dolphins.
  • After failing to latch on with Dolphins, played for the FXFL Brooklyn Bolts.
  • Joined Indianapolis Colts late in season, and was released the following year.
  • Caught the attention of the Calgary Stampeders and signed with team in 2018- but retired soon thereafter.
Score 2009, #358
Panini Rookies & Stars 2010, #139

NOTES:

I always thought Josh got a bad wrap. His 2010 was a really solid campaign, and while he did survive the Raheem Morris epoch, he was able to rally the team to a decent 7-9 record while posting some pretty decent numbers.

I had worked with my friend Chris in tracking down Josh’s address. He wasn’t at the top of my list, so I let Chris at him first. After he got a success, I went ahead and put my cards together and sent them out.

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204811791387857.6816877.6
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2059464.6433