The XFL season is underway, kicking off on February 16th. If you did not know, the XFL is a pro football league in the spring. This league is a great opportunity for players to get another chance to pursue their dream as professional football players. 

XFL stands for Xtreme Football League. In the XFL, there are eight teams, the Seattle Sea Dragons, Saint Louis Battle Hawks, Arlington Renegades, DC Defenders, Houston Roughnecks, San Antonio Brahmas, Vegas Vipers, and the Orlando Guardians. The XFL is owned by former WWE wrestler and actor, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson along with his ex-wife and business partner, Dany Garcia. Their vision for the XFL is to help players’ “dreams come true” in a league where “fans can see high level, high quality football, to put a high quality product on the field.” Dwayne Johnson is a former Defensive End at the University of Miami and even spent some time in the Canadian Football League. 

The XFL has some familiar faces this season. Seattle Sea Dragons starting Quarterback, Ben Dinucci, started for the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. He is paired with former NFL Wide Receiver, Josh Gordon, who played nine seasons with the Browns, Patriots, Seahawks, and Chiefs, and was even an all pro in 2013, leading the league in receiving yards. Another familiar face to football fans is Aj Macarron, who played in the NFL for eight seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans and Atlanta falcons, but is most known for leading Alabama to two BCS titles in his college career. He is currently the starting quarterback for the Saint Louis Battle Hawks who have a record of two wins and zero losses. 

The XFL is also a great way for its players to make their way into the NFL. 14 players from last year’s XFL seasons played in the most recent NFL season. This includes last year’s XFL MVP, P.J Walker, who started a few games at quarterback for the Carolina Panthers. Other notable players include, linebackers, Christian Kuntz, DeMarquis Gates, Edmond Robinson, tight ends, Donald Parham and Khari Lee, safeties, Tyree Kinnel and Dravon Askew-Henry, cornerback, Deatrick Nichols, quarterback, Jordan Ta’amu, Defensive linemen, Cavon Walker, defensive end, Dewayne Hendrix, offensive tackle, Jarron Jones, and long snapper, ​​Nicholas Moore. 

Sophomore football player Brody Branstetter, starting inside linebacker for the San Marcos football team, said about the XFL, 

“The XFl is a cool league that gives opportunities to good athletes who’ve had bad luck or have made mistakes in the past.”

“I think the XFL is a really good minor league, there’s definitely a bunch of allstars there that should get a chance to play in the NFL,” noted teammate and starting safety Nathan Jones, 

Under great leadership, the XFL has the potential to become something special. Football fans across the country are intrigued by this up and coming league that plans to produce a high level of football.