Category Archives: WLAF

NFL, WLAF

Bell, Jim

Card: Proset WLAF 1991
Acquired: In Person, 1992 San Antonio Riders v Birmingham Fire

Jim Bell was originally drafted in the 11th round by the San Fransisco 49ers in 1989 where he was placed on the team’s practice squad. In 1991 the Barcelona Dragons drafted Jim in the 2nd round of the WLAF’s positional draft reuniting him with his former college coach from Boston College, Jack Bicknell. Bell led the Dragons in rushing in 1991, rushing for 367 yards but only on a measly 2.7 average. In 1992 Bell was traded to the Birmingham Fire who were looking for looking for a change of pace in their backfield. Jim averaged 4.2 yards a carry that season. When the league decided to reorganize after the 1992 season Jim hung up his cleats and retired.

Since football Jim has become the creator and co founder of the company Foamheads, which markets a variety of sports fan foam head wear and collectibles.

Games 10   Att  230  Yds  748  Avg 3.3  Lg 22  Td  6
Rec 16  Yds  116    Avg 7.5   Lg 21  Td 1

NFL, WLAF

Mohr, Chris

Cards: Ultimate WLAF 1991, Ultimate WLAF Special Teams 1991, Proset WLAF 1991 LL, Proset WLAF 1991, Athletes in Action
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o Home.
Sent: 5/10   Received: 8/6    (88 days)

Chris Mohr was born in tiny Thompson, GA, ironically the same town of former punter great Ray Guy.  In college, Mohr would attend Alabama where he ranks as one of the best punters in the school’s history. After being drafted in the 6th round by the Buccaneers Mohr would be their punter/holder for 1989. He was named to the All Rookie team that year.

After being disappointedly cut in 1990, Mohr was drafted by the Montreal Machine of the WLAF, in their inaugural positional draft. Chris would become one of the Machine’s most notable players and he would capitalize off of the opportunity given to him by the WLAF to lead the league with 2436 yards on 57 punts (being named All-World in 1991.) Chris was signed at the end of the season by the Buffalo Bills in 1991. Mohr would stay with the Bills throughout the remainder of the 90s and 2000. He’d play from 2001- 2005 with the Falcons, and officially announced his retirement in 2007 after signing a one day contract with the Bills.  (Although many former WLAF players now pepper the coaching and minor league ranks, Chris would be the last of the original WLAF players to retire from professional football.)  Since retiring Chris has been active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and is an accomplished country songwriter. I was able to track him down with the power of Google, and he signed my 4 cards, including one of his own, in about 3 months time. Included are his WLAF statistics.

WLAF  P   57       Yds  2436       Avg  42.7     lg    58       in20   13       blk   2

NFL, WLAF

Dodge, Dedrick

Cards: Proset WLAF 1991, Wild Card WLAF 1992, Ultimate WLAF 1991.
Acquired:  TTM 2010, C/o home.
Sent: 7/30   Received: 8/6 (8 days)

In 1991, Dedrick Dodge was drafted in the 4th round of the positional draft by the London Monarchs. (He was one of the true gems of the WLAF, being that he was not drafted in the NFL before being found by the WLAF.) Dodge would go on in 1991 to grab 2nd Team All World honors, and led the Monarchs with 6 picks that season en route to the league and the Monarch’s first championship.  Dodge had speed and a nose for the ball and would return 2 of those interceptions for touchdowns.  He was picked up by the Seahawks that same year where he played in 1991 and 1992 primarily as a reserve special teams player. Dedrick would also play for the Monarchs in 1992, posting a respectable 3 interceptions in a down year for the former WLAF champions. While the league reorganized after the 1992 season, Dedrick signed with the 49ers in 1994, where he played through 1996 snaring 4 interceptions and playing on special teams. (He won the Superbowl in 1995.) In 1997, Dodge would find himself on the Broncos where he won Superbowl XXXII, and finally in 1998 played one season with the San Diego Chargers before retiring. Since his playing days Dedrick has turned to coaching football and quickly climbed out of the prep school ranks and into college where he coached at ASU as the defensive backs coach in 2009. He is also an avid golfer.

Games 20   Tac  N/a      Int 9      Yds   237       Avg 26.3             lg  62           Td   2