Tag Archives: chicago bears

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

NFL

Jaeger, Jeff

Card: Pro Set 1991
Acquired: In Person 1992, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

After graduating from Washington in 1987, Jeff Jaeger would be drafted in the 3rd round by the Cleveland Browns.  He’d play in 10 games his rookie season, hitting 14 of 22 field goals but would lose out in training camp to Matt Bahr in 1988 when the Browns decided to carry only one kicker. Out of football for 88, Jaeger would sign with the Los Angeles Raiders, where he’d play for 7 seasons forming one of the better kicker/ punter combinations in the league with Jeff Gossett. Over that period he’d be named to the Pro Bowl and AP in 1991 hitting 85.3% of his kicks that season, and lead the league in field goal attempts (44) and field goals made (35) in 1993. Jaeger would kick for the Raiders through their return to Oakland in 1995, and in 1996 hop to Chicago replacing venerable kicker Kevin Butler. Jeff would play there through 1999 and retire.

 

G  165           XPA  327          XPM 321            FGA   309          FGM   229            PCT  74.1%

Well represented on Tecmo Super Bowl, Jeff Jaeger was an excellent kicker for the Raiders, where he’s most remembered for playing. I’d get his autograph at Cowboys training camp in 1992 when the Raiders were in town.

 

NFL

McKinnon, Dennis “Silky D”

Card: Pro Set 1989
Acquired: In Person 1990, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Well we went to an event at Westlake High School in Austin that year when the Cowboys were hosting a scrimmage there. After the game they let the fans swarm the field to find players and get autographs of. I think I got Dennis and roughly 10 other players that evening on cards.

A free agent signee by the Chicago Bears in 1983 from Florida State, Dennis McKinnon would serve as a backup wide receiver and starting punt returner, where Mike Ditka would state: “He’s the best blocking receiver I’ve ever seen.” Starting 3 games his rookie season, Dennis made 20 receptions for 326 yards and 4 touchdowns and return 34 punts for 316 yards and a touchdown. McKinnon would win the Superbowl with the 85 bears, averaging a career high 17.9 yards a reception, but lost his entire 1986 to injury. Returning to the team fold in 1987, McKinnon returned punts again and had 40 of them for 405 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a long of 94 yards.  1988 would see career highs in yards receiving with 704 and a 76 yard bomb.

In 1990, Dennis signed via Plan B with the Dallas Cowboys where he started 7 games making 14 receptions for 172 yards and a touchdown, before injuries ended his 1990 season. He’d attempt a comeback with the Miami Dolphins in 1991 but did not make the roster and retired. Currently he’s CEO and president of Bearly Active Productions which provides motivational speakers, catering and celebrity appearances to corporate events.

G/Gs  94/60      Rec  194     Yds   3012     Avg 15.5    Td  22     Lg  76   |
Pr  129    Yds  1191    Avg  9.2     Td  2      Lg  94t