Card: ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: In Person 1992, San Antonio Riders v. Birmingham Fire
See Also: John Miller (2)
The Fire were good at creating turnovers on defense and John Miller was a key cog at safety for the team, snagging All-World honors in 1991 with 6 interceptions. Originally a 5th round selection of the team in the WLAF’s positional draft in 1991, John came from the Detroit Lions whom he played a total of 10 games for in 1989 and 1990. Exceptional in pass coverage and a hard hitter, Miller would also lead the Fire in forced fumbles (4) and had a 99 yard interception return for a touchdown against the Sacramento Surge. In 1992, John made an additional 3 interceptions to finish with 9 for his career, helping the team reach the playoffs for a second year in a row on the back of the team’s stingy defense. I’d get his autograph on this card after the Fire lost against the Riders in San Marcos in 1992. Of note a small production error as his name is spelled incorrectly as M-I-L-L-L-E-R on the front of his card.
G N/a Tac N/a Sac N/a Fum 4
Int 9 Yds 253 Avg 28.1 Td 1 Lg 99T
Corris Ervin would be an outstanding defensive back for the Central Florida Knights- being so good as to be drafted by the Denver Broncos with their 5th round pick in the 1988 draft. Ervin would spend time on the San Fransisco 49ers developmental squad in 1989 and would walk by me a few times in Dallas Cowboys Training camp in 1990. In 1991, the London Monarchs would draft Corris first in the WLAF positional draft for the defensive secondary. He’d form a cornerstone of the Monarchs #1 defense and secondary, helping the team win the World Bowl in 1991. After winning All-World League honors, he’d return to the states after the 1991 season, but in 1995 decided to take another shot- this time with the NFLE playing for the Scottish Claymores. Corris would make another 2 interceptions playing for the team and return back to the United States to play in the CFL for the Baltimore Stallions and in Canada with the Blue Bombers. In 1996 Ervin would go to the Arena Football league playing for both the Tampa Bay Storm and the Orlando Predators that year. He’d hang onto the roster of the Predators through 1999 where he was then traded to the Florida Bobcats, retiring after the season. Corris would also make an appearance as a defensive back in the movie “The Waterboy”. I started trying to track down players through social network sites and quickly found Corris after I was able to acquire teammate Howard Feggins. He kindly signed 3 cards for me and currently runs his own cabinetry business out of the Orlando area. Below are his statistics from the London Monarchs in 1991.
G/Gs 10/10 Tac 37 Sac 0 Fum n/a Int 2 Yds 13 Avg 6.5 Td 0 lg 13
Card: ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: In Person 1992, San Antonio Riders v. Birmingham Fire
Drafted in the 3rd round of the positional draft by the Birmingham Fire, linebacker Maurice Oliver was overshadowed by his teammates Paul McGowan and John Brantley, but it was Maurice who’d lead the team in sacks out of the gate in 1991 with 7.
Originally a developmental squad member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oliver would suit up for 3 games for them before drawing the WLAF’s attention. Oliver played the 1992 season for the Fire as well where I’d get his autograph after the ending of the San Antonio Riders versus the Birmingham Fire game in which the Riders would win the hard fought contest. In that season he’d grab another 6 sacks, finishing as the franchise leader with 13, – as after the 1992 season the league would suspend operations.
After retiring from football Maurice would go into insurance and as of this post is an agent for State Farm (www.mauriceoliver.com) in Alabama.
Games 20 Tac N/a Sac 13 FF N/a Int 0 Yds 0 Avg -.- Td 0
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
Card: ProSet WLAF 1991
