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.
Card: All World 1991
Acquired: TTM 1991, CFL Blitz
A life long fan of the CFL, Matt Finlay, linebacker from Eastern Michigan would be nabbed by Montreal in 1986 where he’d play one season before being sent to to the Argos before 1987 after the folding of the Alouettes. Matt would play one game for the Argonauts before Toronto traded Matt to the Stampeders. Finlay would go on to play in 3 Grey Cup games for the Stampeders, winning one. Matt would be also be selected to the CFL All- Star team in 1992 because of his hard hitting play.
He has since been inducted into the Mississauga, Canada Sports Hall of Fame in 1999. As with most CFL players, the league has done a poor job of keeping player records and his career statistics are not readily available.
The current head of the CFL Players Association, Stu Laird was a stalwart defensive tackle for the Calgary Stampeders from 1984-1996. A free agent signee originally Laird would be on both the Roughriders and Alouettes before he landed on the roster of the Stamps. Stu’s career really took off in 1986 where he notched 9 sacks. In 1988 Laird had a career high 11 sacks for the team before an injury riddled 1989. Cut in 1990, he’d recover to form, be resigned, and by 1994 would have another 9 sack season. A strong pass rushing force inside, Stu earned West-All Star honors for his performance in 1994. He’d continue playing through 1996 before retiring. His number has also since been retired as well. Stu has spent time as a fire fighter in the off season. In 2001 he was named president of the Canadian Football League Players Association and has served in that capacity through 2010 where just recently he was able to negotiate a new 4 year CBA.
When I sent out to the CFL, I sent out a bunch of All World cards. Unable to completely process my request, the league offices sent me a lot of the cards back with signatures and then tossed in a few Jogo 92 cards from the Calgary Stampeders.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
Card: All World 1991
