TheEnigmaticOne wrote:

Its an alright logo, just doesn't exactly match the time period to me.

if I had to guess that's probably because it was introduced in 2029

1971 Retirements

DL William Sanderson - Ann Arbor, MI - Creator: Dan O’Mac
College: Michigan University
Drafted: 1957 - IND - Round 1, Pick 2
Teams: Indiana Victors (1957-1964), Buffalo Blue Wings (1965-1970)
Captaincy: IND - C (1959-1964), BUF - A (1970)
McCallister Cups: 3 (1966, 1967, 1969)
Awards: Defensive Player of the Year (1964), Rookie of the Year (1957), 2x McCallister Cup MVP/MOP (1966, 1969)
All-Stars: 14 (1957-1970)
Player of the Week: 9
One of the best of his generation, William Sanderson retires having been an All-Star in all 14 seasons of his career. From the moment he entered the league in 1957 as the #2 overall pick, he was a star, winning Rookie of the Year. He continued to lead the Victors through the first 8 seasons, becoming captain in 1959, his 3rd season. He would take home Defensive Player of the Year in his final season in Indiana, which was his lone win of the award. With just one year left on his contract and a desire to win, Sanderson told the Victors he was not likely to return after his contract was up. In response, the Victors would send Sanderson to Buffalo for 4 draft picks and a pair of players. Ironically, the Victors would make the playoffs the next season and Buffalo would miss. Luckily for Sanderson, Buffalo bounced back to win back-to-back McCallister Cups in 1966 and 1967. Sanderson took home the McCallister Cup MVP in 1966 and again in 1969 when Sanderson got his 3rd title. After the Blue Wings lost in the Quarter-Finals to the Victors in 1970, Sanderson officially decided that his career was done and retired. 


RB Dareion Fields - Baltimore, MD - Creator: Wallflower
College: Baltimore State
Drafted: 1958 - LI - Round 1, Pick 2
Teams: Long Island Raiders (1958-1970)
Captaincy: LI - A (1963-1966, 1970), LI - C (1967-1969)
McCallister Cups: 3 (1958, 1965, 1970)
Awards: 2x Offensive Player of the Year (1959, 1964), Rookie of the Year (1958), Playoff MVP/MOP (1964)
All-Stars: 8 (1958, 1959, 1961, 1963-1966, 1968)
Player of the Week: 10
Another all-time great at his position, Dareion Fields ends his storied career just like how it began, on top of the NAAF. The Raiders made a big move in the 1958 draft to trade up to pick #2 to select Fields. Fields made an immediate impact, completely rewriting the Raiders’ offence to be more run-heavy, taking home Rookie of the Year and capturing the McCallister Cup. Fields continued to roll on being the focal point of the Raiders’ offence, taking home Offensive Player of the Year in his 2nd season. While he would struggle a bit through the Raiders’ dark years, he was back and just as good as ever when the team went through their second stretch of success from 1964-1967. He took home Playoff MVP in 1964 to go along with his 2nd Offensive Player of the Year Award but came up short of a second title. However, the next season, the Raiders were back on top. In 1967, Fields would finally be named captain of the team. In his final few seasons, Fields started to take a secondary role as young RB, Scott Norton, started to rise up through the ranks. In his final season, Fields still made an impact as the Raiders captured a 3rd title, ending his career on top.


QB Todd Baker - Toronto, ON - Creator: Wallflower
College: St. George
Teams: Toronto Steelheads (1964-1970)
Captaincy: TOR - C (1964-1970)
McCallister Cups: 0
Player of the Week: 1
Todd Baker’s time in the NAAF was limited, having only spent the final 7 years of his career in the league after playing the first 10 in the Ontario Football Union. Baker was easily the best QB in the OFU during his first 10 years, leading the Toronto Lakers to many championships. When he arrived in the NAAF, Baker made an immediate statement, helping the Steelheads to the playoffs in their first season. He then led them to the top of the West Division in their second season. They would make a 3rd playoff appearance in a row the next year, however, the team was never able to win a playoff game in all 3 attempts. After those first 3 seasons, Baker’s play started to decline. Behind a league-worst O-line in 1967, the Steelheads would finish dead last. Luckily, Baker bounced back in 1968, leading the Steelheads to another playoff appearance, although much of the credit could go to star RB Max Tracy’s MVP season. Baker was pretty pedestrian over his final 2 seasons. This past season, Baker, unfortunately, suffered a severe injury which cut his season short. It was during the recovery process, that Baker decided that it was the end of his career and officially decided to leave the game. Baker was a very solid player during his time in the NAAF, even if he probably won’t be looked at as an all-time great. 


HC Ronald Martin - Toronto, ON
Teams: Toronto Steelheads - HC (1964-1970)
Record: 41-43-0
Playoff Record: 0-4
McCallister Cups: 0
Awards: Coach of the Year (1964)
With Todd Baker’s retirement, it wasn’t a surprise to a lot of people that there would be a few retirements coming from the Steelheads organization. In fact, Head Coach, Ronald Martin, noted in his retirement conference that he was going to retire once Baker had decided to. While many may give both Todd Baker and RB Max Tracy a lot of credit for the Steelheads’ steady stream of success, Martin was a key factor. Martin’s ability to get the best out of a team that, in most seasons, looked like a bottom-half team on paper, was next to none. He consistently outperformed the team’s expectations and always found ways to win games they never had any business winning. His ability to adapt to the new hybrid ruleset was also rewarded when he took home Coach of the Year in his first season in the league. While he was never able to pick up a win in the postseason, he still had a very respectable career in the NAAF and a great one in the OFU. 

OL Graham Chambers - Moncton, NB - Creator: ZO82
College: Maine State
Drafted: 1957 - BOS - Round 1, Pick 9
Teams: Boston Independents (1957-1970)
Captaincy: BOS - A (1965-1970)
McCallister Cups: 1 (1961)
All-Stars: 9 (1959-1967)
Player of the Week: 10
Chambers was drafted 9th overall by the Boston Independents in 1957. The selection proved to be a great one as Chambers would develop into a franchise O-lineman. The eventual, 9-time All-Star would be a physical presence on the Boston line for 14 seasons. He would help the team capture a McCallister Cup in 1961. In 1965, he was named Alternate Captain, a title he would hold until the end of his career. Chambers was a great leader and teammate, always being a consistent anchor on the line, making him an all-time great at the position.


S Johnny Berger - Elgin, IL - Creator: DireBear
College: Rockefeller
Drafted: 1957 - LOU - Round 2, Pick 11
Teams: Louisville Thunder (1957-1970)
Captaincy: LOU - A (1964-1969)
McCallister Cups: 1 (1962)
All-Stars: 7 (1960-1964, 1966, 1967)
Player of the Week: 8
Berger became one of the best safeties in the league after being selected 11th overall by the Thunder. During most of his career, Berger was often right there with S Garet deVale as the best in the business. Berger would be a 7-time All-Star in his career, which includes 5 straight All-Star seasons from 1960-1964. He would help the Thunder capture a McCallister Cup in 1962. In 1964, Berger was named Alternate Captain, a title he held until the 1969 season. His leadership was always about leading by example, as he was one of the hardest-working players on the field at all times. Berger would spend his entire career with the Thunder, being a nuisance to many QBs over his 14 seasons in the NAAF. Shortly after retiring, Berger announced that he had partnered up with former Boston Independents Kicker Johnnie Berg, to open a burger restaurant called “Johnny Burgers”. 


DB Jackson Miles - Kitchener, ON - Creator: Wallflower
College: Kitchener-Waterloo Provincial
Drafted: 1957 - LDN - Round 2, Pick 18
Teams: London Tigers (1957-1970)
Captaincy: LDN - A (1964-1969), LDN - C (1970)
McCallister Cups: 2 (1960, 1963)
All-Stars: 6 (1959-1964)
Player of the Week: 6
DB Jackson Miles decided he wanted to join the NAAF over the OFU during his college years when his hometown of Kitchener was hosting the Ontario Tigers. Miles had a dream to play pro football in his hometown. His dream would come true immediately when the Tigers selected him 18th overall in 1957. Unfortunately, Miles only got to play for his hometown for a single season as the Tigers moved to London, ON in 1958. While Miles had resentment towards the team for moving at first, he grew to understand and really enjoy the Tigers organization. On the field, Miles continued to bloom as the team’s top corner. He would be a 6-time All-Star and eventually put on the Alternate Captain badge in 1964. He would even get the chance to be Captain in his final season in 1970. Miles helped the Tigers win both of their 2 championships in 1960 and 1963. Miles also continued to return to his hometown of Kitchener and do some charity work. He also helped the Tigers set up a bus system that would get to Kitchener to bring fans down to London to watch games during the season. Miles hopes to return to Kitchener after playing to help build up the youth football program. 


DB Kelly Kirkland - New Haven, CT - Creator: Captain Mort 3D
College: Haynes
Drafted: 1957 - IND - Round 2, Pick 12
Teams: Indiana Victors (1957-1970)
Captaincy: IND - A (1959-1964, 1970), IND - C (1965-1969)
McCallister Cups: 0
All-Stars: 6 (1958, 1961, 1962, 1964-1966)
Player of the Week: 3
Kelly Kirkland arrived in Indiana in 1957. While he was never as physically gifted as most players, he made up for it with his smart play. Often making great plays using his anticipation and knowledge of the game and their opponent. It make Kirkland a great leader for the team, which is why he was named Alternate Captain in 1959 and eventually Captain in 1965. Kirkland became a fan favourite in Indiana with his kind and optimistic personality. He also was pretty good at his job, being a 6-time All-Star and one of the brightest spots on the Victors during their early struggles. Despite his decline in the last few seasons, Kirkland stayed on in a smaller role, helping where he could to give Indiana a couple of cracks at the McCallister Cup. They were unsuccessful in getting a championship, but Kirkland will still be remembered as a local legend. Many expect Kirkland to take on a coaching role down the line. 


WR Cedric Peterson - Ottawa, ON - Creator: Wallflower
College: Rideau
Drafted: 1958 - PRO - Round 1, Pick 8
Teams: Providence Gold Stars (1958-1968), Ottawa Royals (1969-1970)
McCallister Cups: 0
All-Stars: 4 (1961, 1964, 1965, 1967)
Player of the Week: 2
Peterson grew up idolizing WR Allen Atkins of the Ottawa Royals. One of the best WRs in the team’s history. When he entered the draft, there were many scouts seeing the similarities in playstyle to Atkins which led to the Gold Stars selecting Peterson 8th overall in 1958. Peterson would go on to become Providence’s top receiver for many seasons, building strong chemistry with QB Connor O’Rourke. Throughout his career, Peterson was known as a guy you couldn’t leave one-on-one, because he would win that match-up almost every time. It would be hard to count how many times he made highlight catches over defenders purely on how frequently it happened. Peterson’s play would earn him 4 All-Star seasons. He would only get one crack at the McCallister Cup during his time in Providence in 1963, which the team could not bring home. After 11 seasons with Providence, and following the retirement of QB Connor O’Rourke, Peterson asked the team if he could be traded to the Royals to fulfill a dream of wearing purple and gold. The Gold Stars agreed and sent Peterson to Ottawa for a 4th round pick. Peterson had a limited role in Ottawa, but still had a pair of TDs. He did get one last crack at the McCallister Cup in 1969 but again fell short. Peterson retires from the game, mainly from his limited playtime, and doesn’t exactly know what he will do next, but some suspect TV may be in his future. 


DL Richard Blunt - London, ON - Creator: Scratch
College: London
Drafted: 1958 - LDN - Round 1, Pick 6
Teams: London Tigers (1958-1968, 1969-1970), Toronto Steelheads (1968)
McCallister Cups: 2 (1960, 1963)
All-Stars: 3 (1962, 1964, 1968)
Player of the Week: 1
A local fan favourite, Richard Blunt, has decided to call it a career. The London native got the opportunity to play in his hometown right out of college when he was picked 6th overall by the Tigers in 1958. Blunt’s well, blunt personality, was very direct, but seemed to play well with the coaching staff led by Roy Aguirre. Aguirre shared his very blunt and straight-to-the-point nature, so the two got along well and Blunt would grow quickly into a cornerstone on the defensive line. Blunt was an important piece in the Tigers’ run of championship appearances between 1959 and 1963. He would be a 3-time All-Star throughout his career, one of a few players that had an All-Star season that was split between 2 teams. In 1968, Blunt was traded midseason to the Steelheads as Toronto hoped to make a push in the playoffs. The Steelheads were unsuccessful, and after the season, Blunt’s contract was up so he promptly returned to London to play out the final years of his career. Blunt was very direct in saying he would be a farmer following any questions regarding his plans after his career. 


OL Forrest Green - Sault Ste. Marie, ON - Creator: Scratch
College: Michigan University
Drafted: 1959 - LOU - Round 2, Pick 17
Teams: Louisville Thunder (1959-1964), Long Island Raiders (1965-1970)
McCallister Cups: 3 (1962, 1965, 1970)
All-Stars: 3 (1962, 1964, 1968)
Player of the Week: 1
Green was a very interesting O-lineman coming out of college with an abnormally long wingspan that allowed him to cover more area with his blocking. Some scouts didn’t know what to make of it which is probably why he slid a little in the 1959 draft, but after the Thunder saw the opportunity to trade up, they took Green with the 17th overall pick following a trade with Providence. Turns out, it was a great decision from the Thunder who landed a 3x All-Star who would help the team capture a championship in 1962. In 1965, the Pittsburgh Blacksmiths would select Green in the expansion draft, however, he would never play a game as he was traded at the draft to the Long Island Raiders. The Raiders needed help on their O-line and Green turned out to be a great fit, helping them win a title in his first year with the team. Green would play out the final 6 seasons with the Raiders, winning a 3rd McCallister Cup in 1970, capping off his career on top. 


OL Gregory Farrell - Kingston, ON - Creator: Wallflower
College: Dominion
Teams: Toronto Steelheads (1964-1970)
Captaincy: TOR - A (1967-1970)
McCallister Cups: 0
All-Stars: 3 (1964, 1965, 1966)
With the retirement of QB Todd Baker, several other Steelhead stars were finally hanging up their cleats as well. OL Gregory Farrell, also joined by WR Edmund Landry and DL Allen Barrera, called it a career with their long-time teammate. Like Baker, Farrell only played 7 seasons in the NAAF, but he made an impact, being a 3x All-Star. He also served as one of the Alternate Captains over the course of his final 4 seasons. Farrell's position was often on Baker’s blindside which was on purpose as Baker trusted Farrell more than anyone he ever played with, and a low-pressure rate from Farrell shows exactly why. 


WR Piers Key - Naperville, IL - Creator: ThisIsFine
College: Michigan University
Drafted: 1959 - LOU - Round 1, Pick 6
Teams: Louisville Thunder (1959-1966), Ottawa Royals (1967-1970)
McCallister Cups: 1 (1962)
Awards: Rookie of the Year (1959)
All-Stars: 2 (1961, 1962)
Player of the Week: 3
Key entered the NAAF as a big player that can make catches in tight coverage. Many figured he would be an excellent redzone threat because of this. He was pretty good by the endzone, but he mainly became a catch machine bringing in receptions all over the field. He was drafted 6th overall by the Thunder in 1959. During his first season, Key made an impact with 5 total touchdowns, picking up Rookie of the Year. He continued to be a favourite target of QB Leonidas Dumont through the early stages of his career, having his best seasons in 1961 and 1962, earning All-Star nods in both years. In 1962, he would capture his lone championship ring with the Thunder. In the later half of his career, Key didn’t live up to the same level as the All-Star seasons, but he remained a key piece of the Thunder offence. Following a disappointing 1-11 season in 1966, Key left the team and joined the Ottawa Royals. He would spend the final 4 seasons of his career with the Royals and ended up being great in more of a supporting role. He enjoyed his time with the Royals and is expected to still be involved with the organization following his retirement.

WR Alexei Dubois - Quebec City, QC - Creator: Darknes
College: St-Laurent
Drafted: 1960 - IND - Round 1, Pick 1
Teams: Indiana Victors (1960-1964), Boston (1964-1968), Louisville Thunder (1969), Toronto Steelheads (1970)
McCallister Cups: 0
All-Stars: 1 (1967)
Dubois will, unfortunately, always carry the label of being a draft bust. He was drafted with the #1 pick of the 1960 draft by the Indiana Victors. Dubois had a solid first season, bringing in 4 touchdowns, but that seemed to be his ceiling. The next few seasons he could not eclipse the 4 touchdown mark, while WR Ed Edwards, who was selected with Indiana’s 2nd round pick that year, grew into the #1 WR. During the 1964 season, Dubois was traded to Boston. Dubois would finally break the 4 touchdown ceiling with 5 in 1964. He continued to improve with his 4 and a half seasons with Boston, eventually having a 10-touchdown season in 1967, earning him his lone All-Star season. Dubois remained a solid WR until he was selected in Minnesota’s expansion draft. Dubois never signed with the Serpents, so he ended up landing in Louisville instead. His more limited role in Louisville saw his number plummet. He only lasted there one season before heading to Toronto for his final season. In the end, Dubois still had a respectable career, but the stench of being the #1 pick in the draft will always leave the question of what could have been of the top WR. At least he is on a short list of players that have scored touchdowns for 4 different teams. 


Other Notable Retirements
WR Edmund Landry - Peterborough, ON - College: Dominion - Creator: Wallflower
Teams: TOR (1964-1970)
DL Hubert Tessier - Montreal, QC - College: Majeure Montreal - Creator: Wallflower - Drafted: 1959 - MTL R2 | P13
Teams: MTL (1959-1970)
OL Wally McRose - Wilmington, DE - College: Baltimore State - Creator: QCS - Drafted: 1960 - LI R2 | P15
Teams: LI (1960-1964), PIT (1965-1970)
TE Tobias Lindholm - Rochester, NY - College: Western New York - Creator: Darknes - Drafted: 1960 - BOS R3 | P27
Teams: R.BOS (1960-1961), BOS (1962-1970)
S Randall Graham - Toledo, MI - College: Michigan University - Creator: Captain Mort 3D - Drafted: 1958 - OTT R2 | P12
Teams: OTT (1958-1968), LDN (1969-1970)
RB Rashed Smith - Brooklyn, NY - College: Brooklyn Metro - Creator: Wallflower - Drafted: 1961 - PRO R2 | P11
Teams: PRO (1961-1968), HFX (1969), LOU (1970)
QB Terry Bourbon - Kennebunkport, ME - College: Maine State - Creator: ThisIsFine - Drafted: 1957 - BOS R2 | P13
Teams: R.BOS (1957), BOS (1958-1959), WOR (1960-1961), LI (1962-1963), PRO (1964-1969), TOR (1970)
*I mainly wanted to highlight Terry Bourbon because I looked at his starting history and he lost all 10 of his first 10 starts before finally winning his last 2. He joins QB Andrew Sexton as the other QB to lose their first 10 starts.

FULL LIST OF RETIREMENTS

Another interesting NAAF coaching carousel, that's for sure! I've also got a few questions: 

1. Have there been any African American coaches in the NAAF yet?
2. What are the teams in this Southern Football League that the ACFL is looking to merge with called? Or is it too early to ask without giving away plot specific details?
3. If I were to create a player for the 1971 draft, are any players from Western Canada eligable? Or would that have to wait until 1972?

Anyhoo, I can't wait for the rest of the offseason!

Funnily enough I always saw Le'Darius and Xerxes as black, don't know if that was clear.