Category Archives: CFL

CFL

Sapunjis, David “Sponge”

Card: Jogo 1992
Acquired: TTM 1992, CFL Blitz

David “Sponge” Sapunjis played for the Calgary Stampeders from 1990-1996 at wide receiver and won the Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian 3 times (1991,1992, 1995) and the CFL’s Most Valuable Canadian twice in 1993 and 1995.  Drafted in the first round of the 1990 draft, in 1993 David became the first Canadian born player to make 100 receptions in a season, and then broke that mark the next season with 111 receptions. In 1993 and 1995, he was also named to the CFL All Star squad. Sponge also had a unique ritual in which he would put his socks and shoes on in a particular way and drink a cup of water exactly one minute before kickoff. While playing Sapunjis earned his BA via correspondence at Western Ontario and quit football at the age of 29.

Since retiring Sponge has been involved in the oil and natural gas market in Canada climbing up the corporate ladder for Continental Oil & Gas. In 2005 Sapunjis became a minority owner in the Calgary Stampeders, was inducted into the Stamps Wall of Fame in 2006 and is a member of the Stamps Dream Team.

Note: This 1992 Jogo card is an error and Sapunjis is accidentially spelled “Sapunjas”.

G/Gs N/a    Rec 460    Yds 6586    Avg 14.3   Td 46        Lg  75

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Savage, Ray

Card: Pro Set 1991 WLAF Insert
Acquired: In Person 1992, San Antonio Riders v. Montreal Machine

Ray Savage was originally an 8th round draft choice of the then Los Angeles Rams in 1990 after playing some standout ball for the University of Virginia, where he’d be beloved by fans and coaches alike for his tenacious play and – well- barking. He liked to bark like a dog before snaps.

Ray found himself on the short end of the stick after training camp with the Rams, but quickly was snapped up the next year by the Montreal Machine in the WLAF inaugural positional draft.  Savage went on to put up good numbers in the Machine’s 3-4 front with 6.5 sacks in 1991, and finishing as the team’s career leader with 11.

After the folding of the WLAF in 1992, Ray was picked up by the Eagles, before he caught on with the Shreveport Pirates of the CFL.

Upon his return to the NFL, Savage actually negotiated his own contract with the Indianapolis Colts. He liked it so much he began to handle the job for other players as well. He retired at the age of 26. 

Savage found his calling in contract negotiations for football players and had a small mortgage business at one point. In his spare time he also dabbled in coaching and has 2 great kids.

A hard fought game that included a punt return for a touchdown at Bobcat Stadium still resulted in victory for the San Antonio Riders, a staunch defensive WLAF team with a scrappy offense. The Machine were a fairly solid average team their first year, but slid in 1992 losing a few games by only a handful of points.

Games N/a     Tac   N/a   Sac  11.0    Fum  N/a   Int  0   Yds 0   Avg -.- Td 0

CFL

Finlay, Matt

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

A life long fan of the CFL, Matt Finlay, linebacker from Eastern Michigan would be nabbed by Montreal in 1986 where he’d play one season before being sent to to the Argos before 1987 after the folding of the Alouettes. Matt would play one game for the Argonauts before Toronto traded Matt to the Stampeders. Finlay would go on to play in 3 Grey Cup games for the Stampeders, winning one.  Matt would be also be selected to the CFL All- Star team in 1992 because of his hard hitting play.

He has since been inducted into the Mississauga, Canada Sports Hall of Fame in 1999. As with most CFL players, the league has done a poor job of keeping player records and his career statistics are not readily available.