Tag Archives: sacramento surge

NFL, WLAF

Farr Jr., Mel

Card: Ultimate World League 1991
Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Home
Sent: 10/21 Received: 11/2 (12 days)
Failure: TTM 2020, C/o Home


Mel was selected by the Denver Broncos during the 9th round of the 1988 draft, after playing for UCLA. During his senior season, Mel rushed 33 times for 145 yards and a TD. He also caught 12 passes for 122 yards and a TD. After a brief stop with the Broncos, he signed with the Rams in 1989. Mel joined the World League in 1991, drafted with the 6th pick of the 5th round by the Sacramento Surge. He’d catch 23 passes for 309 yards and a TD, while rushing for 10 more. His 23 receptions and 309 yards ranked second on the team.

This card technically lists Mel as a FB, but I’ve also seen him listed as a RB and a TE, so perhaps he was a novelty as an H-Back, or this is just a flat out uncorrected error card.

I had previously failed on an address I dug up for Mel, but thanks to my friend Bryan who has collaborated with me a lot recently, he had the address handy from talking to Mel on Facebook.

Mel Farr Jr signed this card beautifully in just 12 days from Georgia, and included a nice note saying that, the request made him feel good because he thought at first the autograph was for his father (who had passed away in 2015). Mel Jr. had just two cards produced of him over his time playing football (Ultimate 1992, American Airlines) but 2 are better than none as his autograph graces the canvas beautifully.

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2330913.4132T
RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
11010.0010
NFL, WLAF

Nies, John

Card: Ultimate WL 1992
Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Home
Sent: 4/3/20 Received: 4/13/20 (10 days)

John Nies was a punter for the Arizona Wildcats in 1989. He had a unique one step approach to punts that allowed him to down 15 of them inside the 20 to lead the nation. He only logged one season as a starter for Arizona, but had 58 punts for 2406 yards and a 41.6 yard average. In 1987 and 1988, he saw action primarily on the kickoff team, booming 88 kicks, of which only 29 were returned by opposing teams. He was selected in the 6th round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, and punted 5 times for 174 yards in 4 games.

In 1991, Nies would be the 4th special teams player off the board in the World League of American Football positional draft, selected by the Sacramento Surge. He then saw time at both kicker and punter, splitting time with Kendall John Trainor. John finished 11 of 12 on extra points and 4 of 7 on field goals. He punted 23 times for 902 yards including a 53 yard long.

He’d return to the franchise for the 1992 season, and although he’d see an uptick in his kicking stats, Nies was relied upon much more as a punter again as Cary Blanchard quickly established himself as the much more consistent kicker.

Since retiring from football, Nies has been a fitness ambassador with Lululemon, a fashion model, actor, and ESPN host. Currently he teaches East meets West health and wellness philosophies at his group fitness and wellness center, The Power Center, in Red Bank, NJ.

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282513643N/A
PUNTSYDSAVGLG
64251539.359
NFL PUNTSYDSAVGLG
517434.839
NFL, WLAF

Sapolu, Saute

Card: Ultimate World League 1992
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 10/21 Received: 11/8 (18 days)

While working on an art degree, Saute Sapolu decided to pick up football at Arizona State. The Samoan was a formidable defensive lineman, recording 90 solo tackles (142 total) during his 4 years at the school, including a Senior campaign where he had 61 tackles and 4 sacks.

Saute saw time briefly with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1989 as a free agent signee. He joined the WLAF for the 1991 season and had 2 sacks and 22 total tackles for the Sacramento Surge.

After a little bit of effort I was able to locate Saute in Hawaii where he signed this card in a little over 15 days. He currently manages an art studio (FALE O LE FEE).

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222.0000-.-0-.-