Tag Archives: sacramento goldminers

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Pringle, Mike

Cards: Wild Card WLAF 1992, Pacific CFL 2003.
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home.
Sent: 6/19/2010  Received: 7/25/2011 (409 days)

Super happy about this return today that I never thought I’d ever get back. It tied the record for my longest current wait -at 409 days! He was kind enough to also include a CFL card to go along with his WLAF card as an added bonus and inscribed them with his HOF year.  Hall of Fame you say? You’ve never heard of Mike Pringle? Mike Pringle may not ring any bells to any NFL fan, but to a CFL fan, he’s the greatest runningback in gridiron history.  

Mike Pringle was a dominant runningback in college playing in the shadow of USC and UCLA while at Cal State Fullerton. During his career there, the prolific back would tie the NCAA record for most yards rushing in a game at 357 (with Reuben Mayes), following that up with a 269 yard rushing effort the next week. The two game total of 626 yards, was an NCAA record. The do it all runningback would lead the NCAA with a titanic 2659 yards from scrimmage that season.

In 1990, Mike would be drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the 6th round of the NFL draft. At 5’8″, 186, the team hoped to utilize him as both a receiver and runningback in their Red Gun offense under Jerry Glanville, but Pringle would be remanded to the practice squad his rookie season. He’d return to the team in 1991, but not make the final squad cut at training camp becoming along with Brett Favre, another record breaking offensive player let go by Jerry Glanville.

Pringle would be signed by the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL, but after 3 respectable games, he’d be inexplicably cut. Mike then suited up for the Sacramento Surge in 1992, winning World Bowl II with the franchise. He’d lead the team on the ground posting a respectable 507 yards and 6 touchdowns, ranking 4th in the league in yards, and second in attempts (152). In addition Pringle would chock in 6 receptions. The WLAF would reorganize after the season with the Sacramento Surge being the only survivor from the league that took to the field in 1993.  They would join the CFL ironically and Sacramento would be rebranded as the Goldminers. After a subpar season where he subbed in for Mike Oliphant and acted as a third down back, Pringle would be traded to the Baltimore Stallions in 1994. Pringle would take the reins of the starting runningback job after week 2, and never looked back. The rest later became history.  Pringle set CFL marks with 1972 yards rushing in a season. He’d also return kicks for the team as well, finishing with exhaustively over 2700 yards from scrimmage on the ground.  Pringle in 1995 followed his massive 1994 season up with a 1791 yards rushing- an incredible 2 year run. Mike also averaged a gaudy 6.4 yards a carry in 1994, and a 5.8 yard average in 1995. At the conclusion of the 1995 season, the Stallions would win the Grey Cup.  He’d do a short stint with the Broncos after the season, but be cut in training camp.

In 1996 he’d rejoin Baltimore, which had relocated to Montreal to become the Alouettes. Playing only part time in 1996, he’d return to form in 1997 rushing for 1775 yards for Montreal. Pringle’s 1998 stands among the upper echelon of gridiron football, as he shattered the 2k barrier running for 2065 yards and left his mark on the record book. He’d continue to run for incredible numbers over the next few seasons in Montreal, leaving the team in 2003. Mike did not disappoint playing for the Eskimos. He’d continue to bang out 1000 yard seasons, and in 2004 took the CFL rushing record by storm. At the end of the season, Mike retired and then signed an honorary one day contract with Montreal to retire with them. By the end of his career, Pringle finished his career with a record 16425 yards rushing, 20254 TYAC, and tied for the CFL record of 137 career touchdowns.

Since retirement Mike has been inducted into the CFL HoF in 2008 and had his number retired by the Alouettes. A 7 time Canadian All star and 2 time CFL MVP,  Mike to me is probably considered probably the greatest WLAF success story. Below are his CFL statistics:

Rush 2962    Yds  16425   Avg  5.6     Td  125    |      Rec 396   Yds 3793   Avg 9.5    Td 11
Kr 138   Yds 2954   Avg  21.4  Td 0

 

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Bethune, George

Card: Ultimate WLAF 1991
Acquired: In Person 1992, San Antonio Riders v. Sacramento Surge

George Bethune was drafted by the LA Rams in the 7th round of the 1989 draft from Alabama. He wouldn’t start any games but would manage to stay on the roster through the 1990 season, making 4 sacks and 1 fumble recovery playing linebacker. After not making the roster in 1991, George was the first defensive player chosen in the WLAF’s positional draft by the Sacramento Surge in 1992 at #1 overall. The pick came to the Surge via the Ohio Glory, who received Sacramento’s #1 pick (#2 overall), and starting center Curtis Wilson.  Bethune was penciled in at defensive end for the team and finished second on the team with 7 sacks (3rd in the league). The WLAF would reorganize after the 1992 season but Bethune kept his playing dreams alive.  I’d get his autograph at that final game back in 1992 on this great Ultimate Card.

George was signed by the Houston Oilers in 1992, but would be cut in training camp. He’d subsequently also be cut by the Packers in 1993.  George the tried his hand at the CFL and headed north to Canada to play for the Winnepeg Blue Bombers, and then later was acquired by the Sacramento Gold Miners in a trade during 1994. He’d play one final season with the team as they’d transition to San Antonio to become the Texans, but when the CFL folded in North American Operations, George retired.  Below are his WLAF statistics.

G/Gs  N/a     Tac   N/a      Sac  7.0     Fum  N/a    Int   0       Yds  0     Avg -.-    Td 0       Lg  -.-

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Bouyer, Willie

Card: ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: In Person 1992, San Antonio Riders v. Birmingham Fire
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o Home

Willie Bouyer played along such notables as Andre Rison, Bobby McAllister and Lorenzo White, while being a part of the last great Michigan State Spartan football teams. Originally a free agent signee by the Seattle Seahawks after going undrafted in 1989, Bouyer played in one game, making one reception for 9 yards that season, and then spent the whole 1990 season on the practice squad.

In 1991, Head Coach Chan Gailey and the Birmingham Fire made him their first round choice of the positional draft and he’d become established as the team’s #1 receiver and speedster, making 28 receptions for 456 yards and a strong 16.3 yard average. Willie scored 2 touchdowns that season, both against Orlando  where he caught an 87 yard bomb and a 21 yarder to key the team’s 31-6 victory.  Against the Dragons in the playoffs Bouyer made 9 catches for 115 yards in a losing effort.

Willie continued to play for the WLAF in 1992. He’d have an impressive sophomore campaign making 57 receptions for 706 yards, leading the team once again in receptions and yards but would go without a touchdown. Willie made some spectacular plays over the 2 seasons with the Fire and was an important target for quarterbacks Mike Norseth, Brent Pease, and Eric Jones.

Bouyer signed with the Eagles in 1992 after the dismantling of the WLAF, but did not make the team. Later Willie re-emerged with the Sacramento Gold Miners of the CFL USA in 1993 and 1994. He’d make 15 receptions for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns in 1994 and retired from professional football after the season.

I’ve attempted on an occasion or two  to get Bouyer’s autograph on his remaining cards, but the mercurial receiver has yet to respond.

G/Gp  N/a     Rec  85      Yds 1162        Avg  13.7        Td  2           Lg   87t