Tag Archives: calgary stampeders

CFL, NFL, WLAF, XFL

Moore, Shawn

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1991, Score 1991
Acquired: In Person 1992, San Antonio Riders v. Birmingham Fire
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o The University of Virginia

After the Birmingham Fire lost to the San Antonio Riders that humid night I tromped onto the field and got Shawn’s autograph on his Action Packed Rookies and Score 1991 card. You could see on his face the frustration of being buried on the depth chart and the relative annoyance he felt about being there, but he still managed to sign these two cards for me.

In the early 90’s, Dan Reeves decided that he was going to pull rank and find the heir apparent to John Elway after tensions boiled to the surface between the two seasoned professionals. Dan drafted not one, but two quarterbacks in the 1991 draft. Highly regarded Tommy Maddox from UCLA and Shawn Moore from Virginia. Shawn had finished 1st in passing efficiency in the nation and broke most passing records for the Cavaliers in 1990. Moore would be drafted in the 11th round of the draft and back up both Maddox and Elway.

The Broncos would loan Moore to the Birmingham Fire for the 1992 season where he was expected to compete for the starting job, however he never saw any time off the bench sitting behind Mike Norseth. Shawn returned to the NFL for the 1992 season throwing for 232 yards and 3 picks in injury relief for John Elway. Afterwards he’d return to the bench of the Broncos, where he’d stay through 1993. In 1994, Shawn signed with the Arizona Cardinals, but saw no playing time. He’d then head North to Canada for the 1995 season, splitting time with the Blue Bombers and Stampeders before retiring from professional football.

Since then Moore has spent time in administration working as a national scout for the XFL and an enforcement representative for the NCAA. Currently he’s the wide receivers coach for his alma mater, The University of Virginia.  I sent two cards out to Moore last year, hoping to get his autograph on two final cards but at this point am still waiting hopefully for a response.

CFL

Buono, Wally

Card: All World 1991
Acquired: TTM 1992, CFL Blitz

Wally Buono, is a major force and offensive mastermind in CFL history lore. After playing ball at Idaho State and not being drafted Buono would head back to Canada to play for the Montreal Alouettes from 1973-1981 at linebacker and pulled in some spot duty at punter. He’d play with them his whole career and earn two Grey Cups in 1974 and 1977.  He’d retire but be retained by the Montreal Concordes as an assistant coach in 1983. By 1987 Wally would be working for the Stampeders- the team he’s most notably remembered for.  Buono would assume head coaching duties in 1989 and guide the team to three Grey Cup Championship victories  (in 1992, 1998, and 2001) and three losses ( in 1991, 1995,  and 1999). In 2003, Wally would move to British Columbia where he turned the fortunes of the Lions around helping the team win 2 CFL championships where he has remained through the 2011 season.  Buono is the all time leader in CFL history in wins and has been named coach of the year 3 times over his career.

W 243     L 132      T  3     Pct .646

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