Category Archives: WLAF

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Wilson, Walter

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1990, Score Supplemental 1990
Acquired: In Person 1992, San Antonio Riders v. Ohio Glory
See Also: Walter Wilson (2)

The San Diego Chargers selected Walter Wilson with their 3rd round choice of the 1990 draft. Limited to 14 games that year as a back up he posted 10 catches for 87 yards. In 1992 The Ohio Glory selected Walter in their supplemental draft and he did not disappoint. Walter would lead the league in receptions and be ranked 3rd in yards.

By 1994, Walter would go on to play for the CFL and established himself as one of the better receivers playing for the Baltimore Colts, earning the nickname “franchise” by teammates by his prediction that he’d be the ‘franchise player on the team within 3 years’. He helped lead the team to the Grey Cup that year with his outstanding play (50 receptions for 900 yards and 4TD), but in early 1995 he injured his shoulder in the final preseason game and was released by the Colts.

He would be claimed by the Memphis Mad Dogs and filed a grievance with the CFL players union claiming that one of the teams violated the league’s collective bargaining agreement. He’d play for the Mad Dogs for an additional season before the league would fold its North American Expansion plans.

Games 10   Rec 65     Yds 776      Avg  11.9     Lg 52   Td 2

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