Tag Archives: toronto argonauts

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Bell, Kerwin (2)

Cards: WildCard WLAF 1992, Ultimate WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Jacksonville University
Sent: 1/10        Received:  2/17  (38 days)
Previous Post: Kerwin Bell
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o Jacksonville University

I had tried previously in 2010 to get the former Florida and WLAF Orlando Thunder signal caller on a few additional cards, but didn’t have any luck there. Recently there have been a few signings by Bell passed through SportsCollectors.net so I decided to take another chance C/o Jacksonville University again. With these two cards being signed, I can officially close the book on Kerwin Bell, unless I was to stumble upon a Jogo card or two of him in his CFL gear.

A Florida Gators quarterback from the 80’s, Bell finished his Senior season with 2687 yards and 21 TDs. After bouncing around the NFL for a few seasons, the WLAF would call his number in the first round of their positional draft in 1991. He’d be on fire the first two weeks of the season and rake in Offensive Player of the Week honors both weeks for the Orlando Thunder. Kerwin set the league season game records for most completions (29), most TDs passing (5), most attempts (43), and most attempts without an interception (44).

Inexplicably, the Thunder turned around in 1992 and picked up Scott Mitchell from the Dolphins and gave him the keys to the car. Bell would ride the bench, but would go onto greater glory after the season, playing in the CFL for the Sacramento Goldminers, Edmonton Eskimos, Argos, and Blue Bombers. He’d also have a brief stop with the Colts during this period, completing 5 of 5 passes for a TD, retiring in 2001. Unofficially it is the highest QB rating among non-qualifying quarterbacks in NFL history.

Bell was inducted into the Gator HoF as a Gator Great in 1997.

 

CFL, NFL

Fenerty, Gill “Gill the Thrill”

Cards: Topps 1992, GameDay 1992, ProSet 1991
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 5/10   Received: 10/26   (169 days*)
*Slight delay. Forwarded from old address.

One of my longer waits this season, Gill Fenerty responded in roughly 6 months to my autograph request. I had given up on this one, so to get it back, especially when I had newer stakes in the fire, and on top of the problems with my forwarded mail, it was a nice charge to my slower than normal month. I like guys like Gill- a real blast from the past. I love his Topps card. Even though he’s in a two point stance, Gill looks ready to launch off the line like an armored tank.

It’s safe to say that Gill Fenerty is probably tiny Catholic College Holy Cross’ most famed football graduate. The Crusaders’ do it all runningback would be drafted out of college in 1986 in the 7th round by his hometown Saints, after finishing as the school’s all-time leading rusher but opted to play in Italy of all places instead. He’d sign with the Argonauts of the CFL in 1987, and tear it up North of the border posting 625 carries for 3094 yards, a 5.0 average and 32 touchdowns over the next 3 season. Gill also contributed 140 receptions for 1190 yards and 7 touchdowns. With a short career in the CFL, he left a lasting legacy by setting team marks for rushing yards in a season (1247), in a game (215),  CFL Rookie of the Year Honors, in addition to CFL All Star Honors for every season he played in the gridiron league.

In 1990, The Thrill would return home to his native New Orleans Saints. Raised in NO, Fenerty came into a runningback corps that had proven 1,000 yard talents Reuben Mayes and Dalton Hilliard in the backfield. -Even the fullback, Craig “Ironhead” Heyward could’ve been a featured starter on many squads. Undaunted, Gill joined the squad and quickly endeared himself to fans as a hometown favorite that did it all for the Saints rushing, receiving, and kick returning.

With Bobby Hebert sitting out the 1990 season, the team went to bat with Steve Walsh and John Fourcade as starters at quarterback. Both Reuben Mayes and Dalton Hilliard suffered season ending injuries allowing Fenerty to step into the lineup as a key contributor for the team.  He’d finish with 355 yards rushing, 209 yards receiving, and 572 on kick returns.  In 1991, Thrill started 12 games for the team, as Hebert would return to the starting lineup and guide the team to its first division title. Fenerty had excellent hands. He’d lead all runningbacks out of the backfield with 26 receptions in 1991 but was not retained by the squad for 1992.  After his playing time with the Saints, Fennerty signed with the Shreveport Pirates and played one season for the expansion CFLUSA franchise before retiring.  Most notably Gill is immortalized as one of the better return men in Tecmo Super Bowl.  He currently lives in the Atlanta area and is a successful CPA.

G/Gs 31/12     Rush 212     Yds  832        Avg 3.9        Td 5      Lg 60t      |
Rec  44   Yds 444    Avg 10.1    Td 2    Lg  50
KR   30    Yds 600    Avg 20.0    Td 0     Lg  58

 

 

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Najarian, Pete

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

After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1987, Pete spent time on the rosters of the Minnesota Vikings, the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1988-89). He’d finish second on the Bucs in special teams tackles in ’89 with 14. Out of football in 1990, the Sacramento Surge would make Pete their #1 pick among linebackers in the WLAF draft.

Najarian went on to earn All World League Second Team honors in 1991. As team captain he called the Surge’s defensive signals, finishing second on the team with 54 tackles, and a FF. He’d miss one game after he sustained a broken thumb. He returned to the Surge for the 1992 season and captain the defense to a victory in World Bowl II over the Orlando Thunder.

After the WLAF decided to reorganize at the conclusion of the season, Pete was badgered into options trading by his brother Jon. He currently is head of tradeMONSTER and appears from time to time on CNBCs Fast Money.

G/Gs 20/19      Tac  N/a   Sac   0     Fum  1      Int     0        Yds  0     Avg -.-    Td 0   Lg -.-