Ultimate World League 1992, Montreal Machine Team Stats, #76
Fleer 1990, #204Wild Card World League 1992, #2
CARDS: Fleer 1990, Ultimate World League 1992, Ultimate World League 1992 W-O-R-L-D, Ultimate World League 1992 Team Stats, Wild Card World League 1992 ACQUIRED: Paid Signing, 2023 FAILURE: TTM 2010, C/o Home
Ultimate World League 1992, #90Ultimate World League 1992, Promo
NOTES:
At long last! Pete Mandley was one of the largest whales left that I still needed for my World League sets. I had spied out a private signing of his, and after being one of the many victims of his 0% signing rate TTM and hours of fruitless research online, I jumped at the chance to be in this signing, especially at such an affordable rate.
The promoter was more than accommodating with me, after I realized I sent my cards to them too late. So the promoter gave me their address to where they were going so that I could 2 day express more cards to them. I sweated it out a little bit, but it all worked out in the end. I got Pete’s autograph on all my remaining set needs.
The Ultimate World League set had 3 set needs. The base set card and the promo card are side by side above. The front of the cards vary very little as the promo uses a full helmet logo in the vertical marquee. On the back the promo spells out W-O-R-L-D. These cards were passed out during games as promotionals for the league, and although they had low volume, they also held very little demand in the secondary market, making them essentially worthless.
Ultimate 1992, #89Ultimate 1992, #76Wild Card World League 1992, #5
CARDS: Wild Card World League 1992, Ultimate WL 1992 ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 7/29 RECEIVED: 8/12 (14 days) FAILURE: TTM 2015, C/o Work
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Emanuel King played college football at the University of Alabama from 1981-84.
A tweener ahead of his time, Emanuel could play DE or OLB, garnering 53 tackles and 5 sacks in his senior season for the Crimson Tide.
A first round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in ’85, and also a first round pick of the Birmingham Stallions of the rival USFL.
He opted to play for the Bengals, and in ’86 led the team with 9 sacks.
In 1987, King started 12 games and had 4 sacks.
Shortly before the 1988 season, he was suspended and replaced in the lineup by Leon White.
In 1989, King signed with the Raiders, dressing for 3 contests.
After some time away from the sport, Emanuel resurfaced with the World League in 1992, playing right defensive end for the Montreal Machine.
On the season he’d rack up 4.5 sacks in the Machine’s 3-4 alignment.
With the WL going on hiatus after the 92 season, King joined the Sacramento Gold Miners of the CFLUSA invasion.
He’d finish his career with Sacramento, playing in 5 contests, posting 4 tackles and 2 sacks.
Returned to Alabama and went into high school coaching.
NOTES:
I had lucked out on Emanuel back in 2015, but I swear I had tried more than one time. I guess it was good that I waited because not only did I need him on his Wild Card and Ultimate card- he appears on the back of the Montreal Machine’s team card for the Ultimate set as well. (They used the photo from the back of his Ultimate 1992 base card for the team stats card.) I didn’t see it until right before I sent it out. I didn’t mind that he signed the back of that card, but when I also got his Wild Card back signed on the back I just… ugh. Oh well! Nice to get him though!
Cards: Pro Set World League 1991, Ultimate World League 1992 Acquired: TTM 2021, C/o Home Sent: 6/21 Received: 7/24 (33 days) Failure: TTM 2010, C/o Home
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
At time of graduation, was Appalachian State’s all-time leading scorer with 277 points, and field goals made (62).
Undrafted in 1989, tasted first NFL action later that year with the New York Giants.
Scored 39 points in 6 games, converting 9 of 12 field goals as injury replacement for Raul Allegre.
After failing to beat out Nick Lowery in camp in 1990 with the Chiefs, was the #1 overall pick amongst kickers in the WLAF positional draft by the Montreal Machine in 1991.
Paired with punter Chris Mohr to form the best special teams duo in the World League.
Scored 51 points on 13 of 18 field goals for the Machine in 1991, setting numerous league records along the way including most field goals in a game (4, Orlando), and longest field goal (50 yards, SA).
After season concluded, signed alongside Mohr to the Buffalo Bills, but failed to unseat incumbent kicker Scott Norwood.
Joined the Cleveland Thunderbolts of the Arena Football League in 1993 playing one season with the franchise.
Hopped over to the CFL, kicking for the Shreveport Pirates in 1994 and 95.
After two more attempts at making an NFL roster in 1996 (Chiefs) and 1997 (Bucs), returned to the Arena Football League in 1998.
Played for the Tampa Bay Storm (1998), Buffalo Destroyers (1999), Arizona Rattlers (2000), and Carolina Cobras (2001).
Briefly reemerged for a comeback attempt in 2005 and was an offseason addition for the Ottawa Renegades, retiring soon thereafter.
ACCOLADES:
All World League 1991 Second Team
Ultimate World League 1992, #85
NFL
XPA
XPM
PCT
FGA
FGM
PCT
LG
PTS
13
12
92.3
9
12
75.0
39
39
WLAF
XPA
XPM
PCT
FGA
FGM
PCT
LG
PTS
27
24
88.9
28
20
71.4
50
84
CFL
XPA
XPM
PCT
FGA
FGM
PCT
LG
PTS
72
72
100.0
91
74
81.3
N/A
306
ARENA
XPA
XPM
PCT
FGA
FGM
PCT
LG
PTS
298
273
91.6
162
60
37.0
N/A
453
NOTES:
Bjorn Nittmo was the first Swede to play professional gridiron football and is considered an ambassador of the sport. While playing for the Giants, late night host David Letterman fell in love with his name and made jokes about it, leading to two appearances by Nittmo on Letterman’s show in late 1989 and early 1990. In 1999, Bjorn also appeared in the movie Any Given Sunday and was the placekicker for the Sharks.
Nittmo is unfortunately a long study in concussions and CTE. After taking a bone crunching hit during the preseason with the Bucs, he was never the same again. His short term memory was severely damaged by the injury and he apparently has dealt mood swings. Estranged from his family, he became a nomad of sorts, moving around the country, picking up jobs here and there. Over the years, multiple articles have been written about his case, so after failing out in 2010 on him- not knowing he was estranged from his family, I tracked him down in Northern Arizona of all places.
It’s a small world really. Back in 2007 I drove through Northern Arizona, and passed through the town he was living in. The only reason I remember it was because it was in the middle of nowhere, and it was just a blip on the radar, so I honed in on his location and wrote him a letter.
I was shocked to get a response from this ‘white whale’ in less than 30 days. It was nice hearing from him. I know his life has been… hard- over the last few years, but I hope that he is making the best of it and trying to better himself.
As a final note, I’d like to thank those out there who have collaborated with me over the years to find World League players. I have been at this for many years now. This is a success, for me personally, a triumph of singularity that others can only claim to have found, but more than likely got from me. – There is no reason I shouldn’t toot my horn about this one.
Nonetheless, I hope that this information finds its way into the right hands, and reunites some more players with each other and brings back fond memories of their time in the World League.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
