Ex-Bears Tackle Caesar Rentie Is First Pick in WLAF Draft

Caesar Rentie, an offensive tackle who spent time with three NFL teams, earned a spot in professional football lore today when the New York-New Jersey Knights made him the first selection of the World League of American Football draft in Orlando.

Rentie, 25, began his NFL career as Chicago’s seventh-round pick in 1988 and played five games for the Bears that season. The Oklahoma product was signed by the Buffalo Bills as a Plan B free agent in 1989, but released before the start of the season. Rentie signed with the Indianapolis Colts in 1990, but was waived during the exhibition season.

The WLAF, which will begin play March 23, is conducting its draft on a position-by-position basis, with offensive linemen being chosen today. The draft of the 710 players who have signed contracts with the league continues every other day through Feb. 24.

Players selected with Southern California ties include former USC tackle John Guerrero, Orlando’s second-round choice, and former Cal State Northridge standout guard Barry Vorhees, taken by Barcelona in the sixth round.

After Rentie, the Birmingham Fire made Iowa center Bill Anderson the second pick while the Montreal Machine selected tackle Jeff Novak of Southwest Texas State with the third choice. Other first-round choices were guard Garry Frank of Mississippi State (Frankfurt Galaxy); Brad Henke of Arizona (Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks); tackle Jeff Mickel of Eastern Washington (Barcelona Dragons); tackle Mike Withycombe of Fresno State (Orlando Thunder); guard James Harper of Alcorn State (San Antonio Riders); tackle Mark Nua of Hawaii (Sacramento Surge) and guard Steve Gabbard of Florida State (London Monarchs).