1969 Retirements
WR Max Sutton - Quincy, MA - Creator: Captain Mort 3D
College: New England
Drafted: 1957 - ON Round 2, Pick 17
Teams: Ontario/London Tigers (1957-1968)
McCallister Cups: 2 (1960, 1963)
Awards: Most Valuable Player (1960), Offensive Player of the Year (1961), McCallister Cup MVP (1960)
All-Stars: 6 (1959-1961, 1963-1965)
Player of the Week: 3
Max Sutton retires as one of the best wide receivers in the NAAF’s history. After being drafted in 1957, he took a couple of seasons to find his rhythm in the Tigers’ offence, but he quickly developed amazing chemistry with QB Riley Kiernan. By his 3rd season, he earned his first All-Star nod and would go on to be an All-Star in 5 of the next 6 seasons after that. In 1960, Sutton had his biggest season, where he became just the second WR to win the MVP catching a league-leading 12 touchdowns and having the most receiving yards. In that same season, Sutton also won the McCallister Cup MVP during the Tigers’ first championship run. Sutton continued to be a strong WR, winning Offensive Player of the Year the next season. In the past 3 seasons, Sutton’s play had dwindled, but he remained a strong leader in the Tigers’ locker room. He still was able to catch one last touchdown this season despite coming off of the bench. Sutton is unsure what he will do in retirement but expects to be involved in football at some level.
College: Cambridge of Boston
Drafted: 1953 - PRO Round 1, Pick 5
Teams: R.Providence Gold Stars (1953), Providence Gold Stars (1954-1968)
Captaincy: PRO - A (1957-1959), PRO - C (1958-1968)
McCallister Cups: 0
Awards: Most Valuable Player (1957), Playoff MVP (1964), Breakout Player of the Week (1955)
All-Stars: 2 (1957, 1963)
Player of the Week: 17
Connor O’Rourke could be argued to be one of the best QBs to never win the McCallister Cup in his career. His career got off to a shocking start with the Gold Stars who surprised everyone by taking the QB with their 5th overall selection in 1953. After sitting behind QB Bruce Woodard for a pair of seasons, O’Rourke was handed the reins. The young QB made a great first impression, winning the Breakout Player of the Year award in 1955. Just two seasons later, O’Rourke would have an MVP season, leading the Gold Stars to 9-3 and first in the East Division. Unfortunately, the team would be knocked out by the Royals in the East Division Final. O’Rourke was able to get his first playoff win the next season, beating the Independents 21-6, but fell to the Royals again in the East Final. In 1960 and 1961, O’Rourke suffered injuries that would certainly hurt the longevity of his career. Not to mention, the team hit rock bottom with a 1-11 season in 1960. However, O’Rourke would recover and with a stronger defence would make 3 straight playoff appearances. While the first two seasons ended in losses in their first game, the 1963 season would see O’Rourke reach his first and only McCallister Cup where the Gold Stars would fall just 4-points short of the Cup, losing to the Tigers 34-31. Following the cup appearance, O’Rourke’s play would decline as the team got older and they would miss the playoffs in 3 consecutive seasons. However, in 1967, O’Rourke would make one last push, getting the Gold Stars back to the East Division Final, but they were still unsuccessful. This past season, O’Rourke was clearly not the same QB he used to be and his body was getting harder to manage, so O’Rourke has decided to call it a career. Though he is expected to still be involved with football down the line.
WR Derek Cross - South Bend, IN - Creator: Darknes
College: Michigan U
Drafted: 1957 - MTL Round 1, Pick 5
Teams: Montreal Rouge (1957-1967), Long Island Raiders (1968)
McCallister Cup: 0
All-Stars: 3 (1960, 1961, 1964)
Player of the Week: 3
Cross was one of the most electrifying deep threats in the NAAF during his career. Cross broke into the league as a first-round pick in 1957, however, he truly broke out in the 1960 season. Topping his previous career-best 4 touchdowns, with a 10-touchdown season. Cross’ career took off, even more, when the Rouge acquired QB Gene Bishop, whose arm was perfect for hitting the speedy Cross down the field. With Bishop as his QB, Cross would help the Rouge to make a pair of McCallister Cup appearances in 1962 and 1966. However, they never were able to win the big one. Cross saw his targets and role dwindle in the Rouge offence over his last couple of seasons with the team, mostly due to the great play of WR Taylor Karis and his reducing speed. The lower reps led him to change teams to the Raiders for his final season. Cross didn’t see much time with the Raiders, so he ultimately knew his career was done and stepped away from football.
LB Deon Wiggins - Hempstead, NY - Creator: Captain Mort 3D
College: Long Island State
Drafted: 1958 - LI Round 4, Pick 37
Teams: R.Long Island Raiders (1958-1959), Long Island Raiders (1960-1968)
McCallister Cups: 1 (1965)
All-Stars: 2 (1963, 1964)
Player of the Week: 1
Wiggins is the pure definition of a hometown hero. He grew up on Long Island, went to Long Island State, and then was drafted by the Long Island Raiders. Wiggins would take a couple of years to develop, but he would become an important member of the Raiders’ defence over 9 seasons with the team from ‘60-’68. Wiggins was never the star of the defence, but he did have a couple of All-Star seasons in ‘63 and ‘64, which cemented him as one of the better LBs to play during his time. While he did just miss out on the Raiders' first run to the Cup in 1958, Wiggins was able to help the team win their 2nd title in the 1965 season. Wiggins retires after some injury-riddled seasons which was signalling the end of his playing days.
DB Orville Blake - Toronto, ON - Creator: Wallflower
College: St. George
Drafted: 1957 - OFU - Toronto
Teams: Toronto Steelheads (1964-1968)
Captaincy: TOR - A (1967-1968)
McCallister Cups: 0
All-Stars: 2 (1965, 1965)
Orville’s time in the NAAF was very short, but he was one of the most under-the-radar players in the league. He was not a huge game changer like Oliver Langstrom or Neville Falkner, but he still was a sturdy DB for the Steelheads over their first 5 seasons. He would get some recognition for his play in the ‘65 and ‘66 seasons being named to the West Division All-Stars. Blake was never able to win the McCallister Cup, but he did win plenty while playing in the OFU prior to the merger. Blake is likely to continue to work with the NAAF, potentially being a future part of the league’s administration.
LB Douglas MacDougall - Saint John, NB - Creator: Darknes
College: Nova Scotia
Drafted: 1958 - OTT Round 1, Pick 9
Teams: Ottawa Royals (1958-1966), Halifax Mariners (1966-1968)
McCallister Cups: 2 (1959, 1968)
All-Stars: 1 (1964)
Player of the Week: 1
MacDougall came out of the U of Nova Scotia as one of the best talents coming from the area at the time. After the Royals took him with the 9th overall pick in the draft, MacDougall would get right to work. He helped the team get their 4th Cup in 1959, which would be the first of two that MacDougall achieved in his career. The hard-working player would continue to work his way up to the top of the Royals’ LB core and be a staple in that position for many seasons. During that time, MacDougall had his lone All-Star season in 1964. As the Royals continued to go through their rebuild, MacDougall would end up on the trading block and would be sent to the Halifax Mariners to return to the Maritimes. After the ‘66 season, MacDougall would stay with the Mariners, although taking on a smaller role, and would help bring the Cup to Halifax in what would be his final season.
OL Nicholas Waller - Dover, DE - Creator: Dan O’Mac
College: The Colonial College
Drafted: 1958 - PRO Round 2, Pick 18
Teams: Providence Gold Stars (1958-1968)
McCallister Cups: 0
All-Stars: 1 (1962)
Waller was always a player that flew under the radar. His introverted personality caused a lot of people to overlook him throughout his career. He may have also been underestimated in the 1958 draft where he went 18th overall. Waller, again quietly, became a staple on the Gold Stars’ O-line throughout his career. Unfortunately, he didn't get a lot of eyes turning his way since the Gold Stars have never really had an O-line that was above the league average in terms of skill. Despite that, he did have an All-Star season in 1962 as some became more aware that he was playing really well on the weaker O-line. He continued to play well up until this past season where he dealt with a major injury that likely led to the decision to retire. Unfortunately, spending his whole career in Providence means he was unable to get a hand on the cup.
DL Mickey Daly - Buffalo, NY - Creator: GoRedSox96
College: Western New York
Drafted: 1957 - BUF Round 1, Pick 6
Teams: Buffalo Blue Wings (1957-1965), Pittsburgh Blacksmiths (1966-1968)
McCallister Cups: 2 (1957, 1964)
Player of the Week: 1
For a 6th overall pick, Daly’s career might be a bit of a disappointment. Not only was he a high pick, but also picked by his hometown team. Sure he was a completely serviceable starter throughout his career, being a strong piece to the Blue Wings’ D-line through his first 8 seasons, and helping them to a championship in 1964 (he also won in ‘57 as a rookie). However, he never was a true star that you would expect from a 6th overall pick. After 8 years in Buffalo, Daly would leave his hometown to play with the Blacksmiths over his final 3 seasons, where he was strong in his first season, but took massive steps in decline over the last two years.
Other Notable Retirements
QB Oscar Rigano - Bronx, NY - College: Rhode Island State - Creator: ZO82 - Drafted: 1956 MTL - R2: P9
Teams: R.MTL (1956), MTL (1957-1959), OTT (1960-1961), LI (1962), BOS (1963-1968)
S Neil Graham - Huntington, WV - College: Central Ohio - Creator: Captain Mort 3D - Drafted: 1957 ON - R2: P18
Teams: ON/LDN (1957-1968)**
LB Sam Wynn - Pawtucket, RI - College: Rhode Island State - Creator: Rugrat - Drafted: 1958 - BUF R1: P10
Teams: BUF (1958-1964)*, PIT (1965-1966), LI (1967), LOU (1967-1968)
DL Martin Garfield - Kitchener, ON - College: Kitchener-Waterloo Provincial - Creator: DireBear - Drafted: 1958 - LI R2: P17
Teams: LI (1958-1962)*, HFX (1963-1966), LDN (1967-1968)
LB Sebastian Andrews III - Montreal, QC - College: Montreal Provincial - Creator: Sevsdast - Drafted: 1958 - MTL R2: P19
Teams: MTL (1958-1964), PRO (1964), TOR (1965-1968)
OL Stanley Witt - Boston, MA - College: New England - Creator: Captain Mort 3D - Drafted: 1958 LDN - R2: P13
Teams: R.LDN (1958), LDN (1959-1960)*, BUF (1961-1964)*, BOS (1965-1968)
OL Byron Foster - Lexington, KY - College: Daniel Boone - Creator: Rugrat - Drafted: 1958 - LOU R3: P30
Teams: R.LOU (1958), LOU (1959-1966)*, PRO (1967-1968)
DL Theo Conte - Oyster Bay, NY - College: Brooklyn Metropolitan - Creator: Darknes - Drafted: 1958 - LOU R3: P21
Teams: R.LOU (1958), LOU (1959-1964)*, PIT (1965), IND (1966-1967), HFX (1967), MTL (1968)
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