Tag Archives: World League of American Football

NFL, WLAF

Rentie, Caesar

Card: Proset WLAF 1991
Acquired: TTM 1992, C/o New York/ New Jersey Knights

For all of the football junkies out there Caesar Rentie is famous because he was the first player drafted in the WLAF.  Originally a 7th round choice of the Chicago Bears, Rentie played 5 games for the Bears in 1988, and then went Plan B to the Bills and Colts before being taken by the WLAF.  The son of deaf-mute parents, Rentie has faced adversity all his life. Playing for the Knights, Rentie provided valuable protection and excellent run blocking for Eric Wilkerson in 1991. He’d play part of the season for the Knights again in 1992, finishing up the season on the squad of the Birmingham Fire.

After the league restructured in 1992, Caesar felt a higher calling and decided to leave football where he then became an intern in pastoral care at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center and as of this post is affiliated with Arcadia Park UMC in Dallas as a Senior Pastor. I sent off for Caesar’s autograph during the 1992 season to the NY/NJ Knights. I got a fairly quick response and was pleased to get his autograph on his Proset card.

WLAF

Walton, Tim

Cards: Ultimate WLAF 91 Logo Card, Ultimate WLAF Team Card, ProSet WLAF 1991.
Acquired: In Person 1991, San Antonio Riders vs Birmingham Fire. TTM 2010 c/o Metis Sports Agency
Sent: 5/10      Received: 6/7  (27 days)

In the second year of the WLAF, a couple of companies decided to make cards. Pro Set initially did an introduction run in early 1991, and then came out with complete league cards later that year. Ultimate and Wild Card also soon followed with their own brands. I got the Pro Set WLAF cards and took them with me to the games. After the game against the Fire, I caught Tim Walton walking off of the field and asked him for his autograph. He got super excited (because he hadn’t seen his card before) and then told me that he had broken his hand during the game but said he’d still try to give it to me anyway. I said yes and wasn’t sure who was more excited at that point to get the autograph. It was an indelible memory and it has always stuck with me.  Tim played inside LB in an aggressive 3-4 alignment for the Riders and was named WLAF AP first team in both 1991 and 1992.

His finest game probably came in a contest against the Montreal Machine in 1991, when he recorded two sacks and a forced fumble, in a 27-10 win.

Many years later when I found these cards I thought it would be cool to get his autograph again, and add the additional cards to the set. It took me a few weeks of web surfing to locate Tim, who was working at Metis Sports as an agent at the time. I sent him 3 cards and a letter basically reminiscing about what happened, and a copy of some photos I took of a game. A few weeks later I got the cards and a sticky note that said,” You guys are true fans! God bless! Tim Walton.”

G 20             Tac  105          Sac 9        Fum  3
Int   0        Yds  0        Avg -.-       Td 0

WLAF

Bethel, Randy

Cards: Wild Card WLAF 1992, Ultimate WLAF 1991
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o Sebastian River HS
Sent: 4/28   Received:  5/10  (12 days)

Randy played for the Glory during the infamous ‘hail storm’ game, when the San Antonio Riders hosted the Ohio Glory.  The game got weather delayed because a freak monsoon hit right before halftime and players and fans had to hide out under the stadium and in the locker room for about 30 minutes because of the hail. I make no secret that I am an immense fan of the WLAF, spending hours surfing the web looking up former players at some points.  I was able to track down Randy and sent him out a letter and these two cards. He graciously signed them and attached a very kind and personal thank you. (Really, it is guys like Randy and Dan that make me happy that I have jump started this hobby again.)

The NFL has sadly swept the history of the World League under the carpet, and much of the it is in danger of slipping away. It is difficult to locate information on it, and there are a few tribute sites on the league but little video and photographic proof of WLAF other than Ebay. I think it is a shame that these players aren’t recognized better for their contributions to the NFL, and this is part of the reason that I collect these autographs. It’s the least I can do to let them know that they are remembered and appreciated for what they’ve done.

Randy played for The U (Miami, Fl) finishing his college career 3rd in team history in receptions, 1st in yards and touchdowns from his position of TE. Randy was a strong blocker with a nose for the end zone catching a 12 yd touchdown to seal the national championship in 1991 in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama.  He was drafted in the 10th round by the New England Patriots and signed with the World League’s Ohio Glory in 1992. After the WLAF decided to reorganize, Bethel would go on to coaching, eventually being hired by Sebastian River HS where he has had a successful career and has become highly respected by the college recruiting community.

Games 10      Rec  11         Yards     113          Avg  10.3     Lg 25     TD   1