Orlando Thunder

World League of American Football (1991-1992)

Thunderwear

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Orlando Thunder Replica Jersey

When it comes to Replica Jerseys, we turn to our friends at Royal Retros, who put extraordinary detail into their fully customizable USFL, WFL, CFL and WLAF jerseys.

• Free Customization Included

• Any name and number

• Heavyweight sewn tackle twill

• 100% polyester

 

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Background

Remember the World League of American Football (1991-1992), the NFL-backed spring developmental league that stretched from Sacramento to Barcelona?  The WLAF was pretty popular in Europe but never really caught on stateside, despite national TV contracts with ABC and The USA Network.

If you recall the World League at all, chances are it’s for one of two things: the USA Network’s “Helmet Cam”, which put viewers into the heads of quarterbacks about to be bulldozed by 300-lb. linemen, or for the blinding fluorescent green uniforms of the Orlando Thunder franchise.

Thunder owner Raj Bhathal was a swimwear manufacturer in Newport Beach, California.  The Thunder’s lime green hue might have blended right into Bhathal’s spring line of bikinis, but it was a novel attention grabber on a pro football field. ESPN Page 2 columnist Paul Lukas rated them the 2nd worst in the history of pro football in 2006.

On The Field

Whatever you thought of the Thunder’s look, the team played an exciting, pass happy brand of football under Head Coach Don Matthews during their first season in the spring of 1991. Former University of Florida quarterback Kerwin Bell tied for the league lead in passing touchdowns with 17. But the Thunder were streaky and finished out of the World Bowl playoffs at 5-5.

As TV ratings and game attendance lagged in the U.S., one criticism of the league was that it lacked compelling NFL prospects, despite its mission as a developmental league.  The WLAF tended to be a last chance destination for disappointing 2nd or 3rd round quarterbacks-turned-clipboard holders like Anthony Dilweg and Mike Elkins. There wasn’t a sense that you were watching the stars of tomorrow, as you might have in triple-A baseball, for instance. The Thunder had their fair share of draft busts, including running backs Roger Vick (New York Jets 1st round, 1987) and Darryl Clack (Dallas Cowboys 2nd round, 1986).

Signing of Kevin Allen

But in a category unto himself was notorious offensive lineman Kevin Allen (Philadelphia Eagles 1st round, 1985). Allen joined the Thunder for their second season in 1992 on assignment from the Kansas City Chiefs.  Orlando’s willingness to accept Kevin Allen, who served 33 months of a 15-year sentence for a brutal 1986 rape perpetrated with the assistance of a former Philadelphia Eagles intern, stands as a stain on all those involved with the senior management of the team. Allen was out of football six years when he became a starter for the Thunder in 1992. Fortunately, he never played again.

Arrival of Scott Mitchell & 1992 World Bowl Appearance

In the spring of 1992 the Miami Dolphins assigned back-up signal caller Scott Mitchell to Orlando for seasoning. Unlike Kerwin Bell, Darryl Clack, Roger Vick, Byron K. Williams and the Thunder’s other skill players, the 24-year Mitchell was a true prospect on an active NFL roster.

Mitchell immediately relegated incumbent starter Bell to the bench. He finished 2nd in the WLAF in passing yards (2,213) and helped lead the team to an 8-2 record and a berth in World Bowl ’92 against the Sacramento Surge at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium.

The Surge defeated the Thunder 21-17 in the league championship game on June 6, 1992.  This would prove to the last game in the league’s brief two-year history.

Demise

Like most of the American clubs, attendance was somewhat disappointing in Orlando.  The Thunder averaged 19,018 fans for five dates at the Florida Citrus Bowl and dropped to 16,522 in 1992, despite the team’s dramatic improvement in the standings.  The local Orlando Sentinel newspaper pilloried absentee owner Raj Bhathal for running a cut-rate, blundering operation on numerous occasions. This was typified by the team’s decision to make its cheerleaders pay their own way to the World Bowl ’92 title game in Montreal.

In September 1992, the NFL pulled the plug on the World League after two seasons.  The spring developmental concept was re-worked and then re-launched as NFL Europe in 1995, with all three of the WLAF’s European franchises returning, along with several new overseas markets.

Orlando Thunder Shop

WLAF Mini-helmets

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Orlando Thunder Mini-Helmet

This WLAF Mini Helmet is available through Royal Retros.

• 15 oz. mini helmet

• Style worn by the Thunder in 1991-92

• Available in the modern helmet style by Riddell

• Fulfilled by 417 Helmets

 

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Orlando Thunder Video

The Orlando Thunder host the Birmingham Fire at the Florida Citrus Bowl. April 21, 1991.

The Thunder, with future Detroit Lions QB Scott Mitchell under center, against the New York-New Jersey Knights. 1992 season.

Links

World League of American Football Media Guides

World League of American Football Programs

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