Tag Archives: all world league second team 1991

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Najarian, Pete

Card: ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: In Person 1992, San Antonio Riders v. Sacramento Surge

After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1987, Pete spent time on the rosters of the Minnesota Vikings, the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1988-89). He’d finish second on the Bucs in special teams tackles in ’89 with 14. Out of football in 1990, the Sacramento Surge would make Pete their #1 pick among linebackers in the WLAF draft.

Najarian went on to earn All World League Second Team honors in 1991. As team captain he called the Surge’s defensive signals, finishing second on the team with 54 tackles, and a FF. He’d miss one game after he sustained a broken thumb. He returned to the Surge for the 1992 season and captain the defense to a victory in World Bowl II over the Orlando Thunder.

After the WLAF decided to reorganize at the conclusion of the season, Pete was badgered into options trading by his brother Jon. He currently is head of tradeMONSTER and appears from time to time on CNBCs Fast Money.

G/Gs 20/19      Tac  N/a   Sac   0     Fum  1      Int     0        Yds  0     Avg -.-    Td 0   Lg -.-

NFL, WLAF

Maggio, Kirk

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

After leading the Pac-10 in punting, Kirk Maggio would be drafted by the  Green Bay Packers in the 12th round of the 1990 draft, but was be cut during the preseason by them as well as the Saints. He was quickly drafted in the second round of the positional draft of 1991 by the Birmingham Fire of the WLAF. Notably, during the 1991 season he’d fake a punt and complete a pass to runningback Ken Bell for 65 yards and a touchdown.  By season’s end, Kirk’s 41.9 yard average was third in the league and his net average of 36.0 led the WLAF. He’d also manage to drop 20 kicks behind the 20 yard line. Kirk would be rewarded for his efforts by being named second team All World League that year.

Maggio returned to the Fire for 1992, and punted roughly half as many times as 1991. He’d still manage to check in with a 41.9 yard average and a booming 60 yard kick and a 34.3 net average but did not finish among the top three in any category. I’d get his autograph after the Riders finally beat the Fire in San Marcos in 1992. It was an extremely humid night game, and he like many players were kind enough to sign cards as the teams left the field.

This is a great card, and Pro Set did a great job of really making even this punter’s card look exciting, but note the vacant stands in the background underlining the WLAF’s financial and perception woes in the United States that would lead to the league being folded after the 1992 season.

Since the WLAF, Kirk has moved back to his home state of Maryland and put his design degree from UCLA to good work.  He has become quite a good painter, especially of sports figures and NFL players. You can visit his website at: http://paintingsbymaggio.com/.

G/Gs 20/20   P 95   Yds 3965   Avg 41.9   Lg 60    Blk 0