Tag Archives: calgary stampeders

CFL, NFL

Johnson, Will

Card: Jogo 1992
Acquired: TTM 1993, CFL Blitz

Will Johnson was originally a 5th round choice of the Chicago Bears back in 1987 out of Northeast Louisiana. He’d be one of only 5 picks by the Bears that season- which included Ron Morris and Jim Harbaugh. A tweener at 6’4″,  245 playing linebacker, Johnson would play briefly in only one game his rookie season, but would be cut in 1988.  1989 would be no less fortunate to Johnson playing in New Orleans. He’d be cut out of camp as hamstring injuries would limit his performance. Will would sign with the Canadian Football League in 1989 and play for the Calgary Stampeders, quickly asserting himself as a wrecking ball of destructive force at defensive end. With great speed and gigantic wingspan, Johnson became the prototypical defensive end for players of that era in the Canadian Leagues. By 1991, Will was now a CFL All Star- an honor he held through the 1995 season.  Will also won a Grey Cup Championship with the Stamps in 1992.  In 1994, Johnson led the CFL in sacks with 17 despite double and triple teams, and in 1996 he’d be named to the Stampeders 50th Anniversary Dream Team. After his 1996 with the Stampeders, Johnson would play one more additional season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders before retiring after the 1997 season with 99 sacks.

Since retiring, Johnson has used his long arms to become a member of law enforcement, where he is a constable for the Calgary Police Department. Will has spent some time coaching minor league football and also has delved into refereeing. In 2010 Johnson was also inducted into the Calgary Stampeders Wall of Honor.

G/Gs  N/a     Tac  288     Sac  99    Fum   11     Int   N/a     Yds   N/a    Avg  N/a   Td  N/a   Lg  N/a

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.