Category Archives: CFL

CFL

Peterson, Greg

Card: Jogo 1992
Acquired: TTM 1993, CFL Blitz

After finishing college at Brigham Young in 1984, Greg Peterson would return to Canada and be signed by the Calgary Stampeders. By his second season, Greg would be a starter for Calgary, anchoring an increasingly stingy secondary. He’d be a mainstay in the Stamps secondary, playing for them from 1984 through 1992. Going largely unheralded, Peterson would receive CFL All-Star honors for his 1990 season, making 5 interceptions , for 140 yards, a touchdown, 58 tackles, and a fumble recovery. He’d follow his 1990 up with an equally impressive 1991 making 48 tackles, 4 picks and returning one 45 yards for a score.  After winning the Grey Cup in 1992, Greg would announce his retirement from the sport. Among his accomplishments is that he holds the CFL record for the longest interception return in a playoff game- 106 yards against Edmonton in 1987.

Since retirement Greg became a successful lawyer, president of the Calgary Amateur Football Association,  football coach, a commentator on the Calgary Football Radio Network, and speaks regularly on the issue concussion safety.

CFL

Leonard, Kenton

Card: All World 1991
Acquired: TTM 1993, CFL Blitz

This is one of the worst designed card sets. Not only did All World do a bad job of a poor man’s Pro Set 1989, with its framing and stripes, they put two equally saturated colors (red and blue) up against each other on the type. The word ‘Rookie’ in cursive is just so 1990s…Not only is it not an action shot or a stoic pose, it’s of the player making stretches with a poor man’s skull cap on that looks like a woman’s stockings. Just a bad, bad, card.

Kenton Leonard was not drafted by the NFL out of tiny Nicholls State University in Louisiana so he elected to fulfill his dream to play pro ball in the CFL. I don’t know what they put in the water in Louisiana, but the state just cranks out NFL talent like nobody’s business. (Nicholls State was also where notable LB Johnny Meads, OL Jay Pennison, and WR Mark Carrier went to college.)

Kenton never let his diabetes stop him from playing defensive back  for the Calgary Stampeders from 1991-1997 winning a Grey Cup with the team before retiring. Over his career he spent a lot of time talking to students about diabetes in Canada and helping raise awareness of the disease. He also has spent some time on the celebrity golf tourney circuit.

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Bouyer, Willie

Card: ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: In Person 1992, San Antonio Riders v. Birmingham Fire
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o Home

Willie Bouyer played along such notables as Andre Rison, Bobby McAllister and Lorenzo White, while being a part of the last great Michigan State Spartan football teams. Originally a free agent signee by the Seattle Seahawks after going undrafted in 1989, Bouyer played in one game, making one reception for 9 yards that season, and then spent the whole 1990 season on the practice squad.

In 1991, Head Coach Chan Gailey and the Birmingham Fire made him their first round choice of the positional draft and he’d become established as the team’s #1 receiver and speedster, making 28 receptions for 456 yards and a strong 16.3 yard average. Willie scored 2 touchdowns that season, both against Orlando  where he caught an 87 yard bomb and a 21 yarder to key the team’s 31-6 victory.  Against the Dragons in the playoffs Bouyer made 9 catches for 115 yards in a losing effort.

Willie continued to play for the WLAF in 1992. He’d have an impressive sophomore campaign making 57 receptions for 706 yards, leading the team once again in receptions and yards but would go without a touchdown. Willie made some spectacular plays over the 2 seasons with the Fire and was an important target for quarterbacks Mike Norseth, Brent Pease, and Eric Jones.

Bouyer signed with the Eagles in 1992 after the dismantling of the WLAF, but did not make the team. Later Willie re-emerged with the Sacramento Gold Miners of the CFL USA in 1993 and 1994. He’d make 15 receptions for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns in 1994 and retired from professional football after the season.

I’ve attempted on an occasion or two  to get Bouyer’s autograph on his remaining cards, but the mercurial receiver has yet to respond.

G/Gp  N/a     Rec  85      Yds 1162        Avg  13.7        Td  2           Lg   87t