Tag Archives: ultimate wlaf 1992

NFL, WLAF

Naposki, Eric

Card: Ultimate World League 1991
Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Prison
Sent: 5/9 Received: 5/18 (9 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Eric Naposki played college football at UConn where he excelled as a hard hitting outside linebacker.
  • In 1988, as a street free agent, he literally slipped onto the Patriots, by sneaking a number from a registration table, getting a tryout and then later making the final cuts.

  • Appeared on special teams in 3 games, but injuries derailed his career from continuing forward. 

  • Eric went on to sign with the Colts Cowboys and the Jets, but did not see significant playing time.

  • Experienced his greatest success after joining the Barcelona Dragons of the World League of American Football in 1991.

  • In his first season with the team, Naposki recorded 51 total tackles, an interception for a TD, 2 forced fumbles, and 7 sacks. 

  • Was arguably one of the most popular players on the team and even had his own fan club thanks in part to his Spanish fluency.

  • Upon returning stateside injuries again prevented him from moving forward, although he was in camp with the Washington Redskins.
  • Returned to the Dragons in 1992  but the league reorganized after the season.

  • Retired later that year after injuries continued to dog him, this time in camp with the Seattle Seahawks. 

  • After a few years off, Naposki returned to the Dragons in 1996, winning World Bowl 97.
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ACCOLADES:

  • Barcelona Dragons Hall of Fame

NOTES:

As this was a first for me, it should be noted, that yes, I wrote Eric in prison for his autograph. While this may seem wrong to many, I do not presume to give fame to him or the crimes that were committed in regards to this case- rather my solicitation for his signature is an attempt by me to frame a certain time in our lives when things were more simple and innocent.

Eric wrote me a long and impassioned letter on multiple slips of paper talking to me about the time he played in the World League. He also included a copy of these copies of his accomplishments from his playing days, and thanked me for writing him. Erik was convicted of murder in 2012, and received life without parole. The case itself is not without its warts, as he was convicted on purely circumstantial evidence, and a loss of exculpatory evidence, partially due to a delay in the prosecution of the case. -He has always maintained his innocence. Currently his case is under investigation by a 501 nonprofit legal organization

that is committed to exonerating individuals who claim to have been wrongly convicted. From what I understand he also passes the time working as a member of the California Wildfire Inmate team.

I am not sure if Eric’s card is an error card or not as it spells his name Erik, and so does the Barcelona Dragons article above, however in most media it is spelled Eric.

NFL, WLAF

Horne, Greg

Card: Ultimate World League 1992
Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Work
Sent: 6/11 Received: 6/19 (8 days)
Failure: TTM 2020, C/o Home

Greg Horne punted at Arkansas during the SWC days and at one point was paired alongside future World League kicker Kendall John Trainor. Over his 4 years at Fayetteville, Greg punted 180 times for 8000 yards on the dot. In his Senior year of 1986, Greg boomed 49 punts for a 47.2 yard average earning him All-American Honors. (Coincidentally this is the highest average in Conference history.)

Horne was selected by the Bengals in the 5th round of the 1987 draft. During the strike shortened season of 1987, he’d split time with the Bengals and the St. Louis Cardinals, averaging 40.2 yards per punt on 43 attempts. He’d travel to Phoenix with the Cardinals franchise in ’88, and start a whole 16 game slate, punting 79 times for 3228 yards, with 16 punts inside the 20.

After a 2 year hiatus, he’d join the World League of American Football in 1991, and was selected by the London Monarchs with the 5th pick of the positional draft. He’d punt 37 times for the powerhouse Monarchs, averaging 38.7 yards per punt, and drop 11 of those inside the 20.

With Chris Mohr departed for the NFL, the Montreal Machine had Monte Robbins but at some point during the season, Greg came in and took over the starting punter duties. He’d have the best season of his career punting 19 times for 821 yards, a 43.2 yard average, and drop 4 punts inside the 20.

After retiring, Greg returned to Arkansas and is currently in radio.

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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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