Tag Archives: proset wlaf 1991

NFL, WLAF

Brantley, John “Rambo”


Cards: ProSet WLAF 1991, ProSet 1991 DMVP
Acquired: In Person 1992, San Antonio Riders v. Birmingham Fire
See Also: John Brantley (2)

John Brantley was a 12th round choice (#325)  out of Georgia by the Houston Oilers in 1988.  He’d be on the roster of the team through 1989 suiting up for 8 games playing on special teams. In 1991 Brantley was drafted by the Birmingham Fire of the WLAF in the 2nd round of the positional draft.  A well rounded team leader, he’d finish statistically amongst the top players in the league with 47 tackles and 4 sacks. At the conclusion of the 1991 season John was be named first team All World Team, and would win defensive MVP in a three way tie with Danny Lockett and Anthony Parker.

Brantley returned to the WLAF for 1992 and again lead the staunch Fire defense, chipping in 2 more sacks and be named back to the All World team. The league unfortunately was reorganized after the 1992 season, but John would sign with the Washington Redskins of the NFL  and start 2 games for the team that year. It is unknown if Brantley played any additional seasons of football whether it was in
the Arena leagues or the CFL USA venture. He currently lives in Georgia.

G/Gs 20/20    Tac    124       Sac   6.0      Fum 3
Int 0    Yds  0    Avg  -.-   Td  0   Lg   -.-

 

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Holland, John Robert “JR”

Card: ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: In Person 1992, San Antonio Riders v. Birmingham Fire

John Holland was part of the staunch defensive secondary of the Birmingham Fire that helped them make the playoffs both years of the WLAF.

Originally a member of the British Columbia Lions after graduating from Cal State Sacramento in 1989, Holland was drafted by the Birmingham Fire in the 4th round of the player allocation draft. Nicknamed “JR” and “Hollywood”,  Holland during the 1991 season would make 38 tackles, 3 interceptions, and a fumble recovery-  good enough for second team All World Honors.   He’d return again to the Fire for the 1992 season and make another interception.

As the league WLAF restructured, John caught on with San Fransisco 49ers and played with them in 1993. Later that year he’d sign with Edmonton of the CFL and play with them for the next 3 seasons. (He’d also undergo a name change at some point and begin going by Robert.) In 1994 Robert would make 8 interceptions and be named to the Canadian All Star team. He’d play again for British Columbia and Saskatchewan in 1996, before returning one more time to BC to close out his career in 1997.

G/Gp  20/20    Tac  N/a     Sac  N/a    Fum  N/a
Int   4     Yds   55     Avg   12.7      Lg  17    Td  0

 

NFL, WLAF

Maggio, Kirk

Card: ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: In Person 1992, San Antonio Riders v. Birmingham Fire

After leading the Pac-10 in punting, Kirk Maggio would be drafted by the  Green Bay Packers in the 12th round of the 1990 draft, but was be cut during the preseason by them as well as the Saints. He was quickly drafted in the second round of the positional draft of 1991 by the Birmingham Fire of the WLAF. Notably, during the 1991 season he’d fake a punt and complete a pass to runningback Ken Bell for 65 yards and a touchdown.  By season’s end, Kirk’s 41.9 yard average was third in the league and his net average of 36.0 led the WLAF. He’d also manage to drop 20 kicks behind the 20 yard line. Kirk would be rewarded for his efforts by being named second team All World League that year.

Maggio returned to the Fire for 1992, and punted roughly half as many times as 1991. He’d still manage to check in with a 41.9 yard average and a booming 60 yard kick and a 34.3 net average but did not finish among the top three in any category. I’d get his autograph after the Riders finally beat the Fire in San Marcos in 1992. It was an extremely humid night game, and he like many players were kind enough to sign cards as the teams left the field.

This is a great card, and Pro Set did a great job of really making even this punter’s card look exciting, but note the vacant stands in the background underlining the WLAF’s financial and perception woes in the United States that would lead to the league being folded after the 1992 season.

Since the WLAF, Kirk has moved back to his home state of Maryland and put his design degree from UCLA to good work.  He has become quite a good painter, especially of sports figures and NFL players. You can visit his website at: http://paintingsbymaggio.com/.

G/Gs 20/20   P 95   Yds 3965   Avg 41.9   Lg 60    Blk 0