by BengalErnst » Tue Jan 02, 2024 6:26 pm
XFL and XFLPA Committed to Zero Tolerance on Racial Discrimination
August 5, 2022
New York, NY - The XFL and the XFL Players' Association (XFLPA) released the following joint statement: The XFL and the XFLPA are jointly committed to a policy of zero tolerance of any form of racism or racial discrimination and signified their commitment in writing during the last round of collective bargaining. We have agreed to strengthen our commitment with urgency by agreeing to further define and agree on all issues arising from that joint commitment so both the XFL and XFLPA and through them the entire professional football community will have clarity and certainty moving forward.
Jordan Palmer Joins XFL as Director of Quarterback Development
August 17, 2022
New York, NY - The XFL announced that Jordan Palmer has joined the League as Director of Quarterback Development. Palmer has spent over 15 years on the gridiron as a consultant for elite quarterbacks and as an NFL QB. He will report to Doug Whaley, Senior Vice President, Player Personnel. In this role, Palmer will work with the coaching staff from each XFL team to create a thoughtful and advanced quarterback development program. By combining the physical therapy, strength training, and position coaching from each team into one program, XFL QBs will develop a deeper understanding of their game than ever before. Through the months of September to December, the XFL QBs will work with Palmer and focus on movement efficiency and throwing mechanics. In addition, the XFL QBs will be provided with an actionable plan for continuous development opportunities throughout the offseason and establish consistent remote consulting with Palmer and his team.
"Jordan is one of the top quarterback consultants in the entire sport of football, helping QBs refine and strengthen their physical, mental, and emotional skills to reach their greatest potential. To have him as a consultant, coach, and role model for our athletes - and for him to share our holistic player development strategy is a huge value add to our League," said Russ Brandon, President. "Quarterbacks are an essential function of a team; their performance not only determines the outcome of a game, but their ability to play at a very high level is critical for us to engage fans and deliver a dynamic game of football. With Jordan's leadership and expertise, we will help develop and empower the next generation of QBs."
Whaley added, "The most important position in football is the quarterback, arguably one of the hardest positions to play in all sports. Jordan works with some of the most recognizable young quarterbacks in the NFL - Joe Burrow and Josh Allen, among others - and it'll be great to have his imprint on our players as they further advance their professional development. Jordan was also an early advocate for using technology for training and performance improvement, which aligns with our commitment to innovation. We are thrilled to have him as a crucial member of our football operations team."
XFL Partners with Nick Novak to Run Specialist Showcase
August 21, 2022
New York, NY - The XFL announced it has partnered with Nick Novak, founder of Novak Kicking & Consulting and former professional football placekicker, to run a specialist showcase in San Diego, California on October 23, 2022. This event will focus specifically on kickers, punters and long snappers, and provide a dedicated forum for players to exhibit their skillset exclusively for the XFL's player personnel departments.
"I am excited to be working alongside the XFL. Our goal is to find qualified specialists around the country and put them in a position to succeed both on and off the field. I went through at least 50 free agent workouts during my career. I have designed a program that takes the best elements from those workouts and created a system which determines the strengths and weaknesses of each player. Having the XFL provide this platform for up-and-coming specialists is an invaluable opportunity for all," said Nick Novak.
Brian Westbrook, Sr. Joins XFL as Director of Player Engagement
August 25, 2022
New York, NY - The XFL is pleased to announce that Brian Westbrook, Sr., has joined the League as Director of Player Engagement. Westbrook, Sr. will oversee team matters related to player experience, player and coach relations, off-field player development, and player marketing. He will report to Marc Ross, Executive Vice President, Football Operations. In this role, Westbrook, Sr. will be responsible for all aspects of the league's player engagement program, including developing and leading initiatives to enhance professional development in areas such as media relations, continued education, total wellness, and financial wellbeing. As a liaison between the league and its teams and players, Westbrook, Sr. will help to maintain strategic relationships with athletes and ensuring they are well supported and positioned for success.
"Brian is an incredibly important hire for the XFL as he will be a key driver behind the League's commitment to holistic player development," said Russ Brandon, President. "Following his impressive career in the NFL, Brian has done a phenomenal job building his brand while also committing himself to help other athletes reach their maximum potential on and off the field. We're excited to have him on our team to create a new, unmatched opportunity for player success."
'Bountygate' Ringleader now Leading Defenders' in XFL
August 28, 2022
Cologne, GERMANY - The XFL's Defenders went with Gregg Williams expecting it's defense to be vastly improved under him this season. Williams has made multiple stops during a three-decade NFL coaching career, and his tenure hasn't been without controversy. The defensive guru was implicated in the Saints' "Bountygate" scandal and has had to rebuild his reputation over the past decade. Williams has been a defensive coordinator for seven different NFL teams. He helped take the Titans to the Super Bowl in the 1999 season, and he was in charge of the Saints' defense when New Orleans won Super Bowl 44 a decade later.
XFL Announces Exclusive Partnership with NFL Alumni Academy
September 1, 2022
New York, NY - The XFL announced it has entered an exclusive partnership with the NFL Alumni Academy, an elite in-season training program for NFL Ready" players led by former NFL coaches and players. Together, the XFL and the NFL Alumni Academy will enhance the football ecosystem by combining their scouting and training expertise to develop the next best players in the game and offer more opportunities to play professional football.
"This is a monumental partnership not only for the XFL, but for the entire football ecosystem," said Russ Brandon, XFL President. "The NFL Alumni Academy has found great success over the past two years training and mentoring up-and-coming players, many of whom have gone on to play in the NFL, and we are collaborating to create another avenue of opportunity for players to showcase their talent. We are completely aligned in our player-centric philosophy and we're eager to continue to explore the bounds of this partnership."
XFL hires former Buffalo Bills CEO Russ Brandon as League President
September 5, 2022
New York, NY - The XFL hired former Buffalo Bills CEO Russ Brandon as the league's new president, replacing Jeffrey Pollack. Brandon held multiple positions with the Bills, including chief executive officer, during a 21-year tenure with the team that ended in 2018. He has since worked as an adviser to RedBird Capital Partners. Also joining the league is former New York Giants personnel evaluator Marc Ross, who will serve as executive vice president of football operations and be responsible for assisting with all on-field operations. His deputy will be former Bills general manager Doug Whaley, who has been working in a that capacity since 2019.
"These exceptional and talented executives encompass a deep skill set that aligns with our commitment to delivering an exceptional football universe experience, as well as our shared passion for bringing the XFL back stronger than before the pandemic. Our team's experience across varying professional sports leagues and brands will enable us to deliver an experience for our fans, athletes and partners that represents today's evolution of 'best-in-class.' A tremendous amount of work has already been done with more exciting news to come as we prepare for the 2023 season."
XFL Announces Partnership with Under the Lights Flag Football
September 12, 2022
New York, NY - The XFL announced a partnership with Under the Lights Flag Football, an international youth flag football league for boys and girls from kindergarten through 12th grade. Through this partnership, the XFL will support Under the Light's mission of empowering youth athletes and expanding player opportunity, while also further integrating within football-loving communities, including twenty of the XFL's twenty-eight local markets that Under the Lights is already established.
"I love our XFL and Under the Lights partnership and all the phenomenal opportunities that it will bring us," said Dwayne Johnson, Owner of the XFL. "But the most important opportunity that this partnership will bring, is creating an environment and culture for our kids that is fueled by hard work, discipline, and a whole lot of fun. We at the XFL can't wait to create amazing memories that will last forever for our young athletes as they pursue their football dreams."
European League of Football Concludes Second Season
September 25, 2022
Berlin, GERMANY - The 2022 ELF season was the second season of the European League of Football. Twelve teams from seven countries participated. The 2022 season started on June 4, and concluded with the ELF Championship Game on September 25 at the Wörthersee Stadion, Klagenfurt. In their first year in the league, the Vienna Vikings won the title, beating 2021 runners-up Hamburg Sea Devils 27-15.
On top of the eight inaugural season teams, the six former CFL teams and eight former LFA teams (Puebla Artilleros, Queretaro Pioneros and Jaurez Rarámuris parted ways with the LFA after joining the WLAF), the league expanded with four new franchises. On September 25, 2021, the Vienna Vikings, Raiders Tirol as well as Rhein Fire were officially introduced as new teams. On October 15, 2021 the addition of the Istanbul Rams was announced.
Expansion Draft
October 12, 2022
New York, NY -
Paris Musketeers selected WR Dan Williams(Vipers), Dontez Byrd(Dragons), Eli Rogers(Defenders), OL Brett Boyko(Fleet), Fred Lauina(Legends), Stansly Maponga(Dragons), LB Terrance Plummer(Vipers), Tegray Scales(Renegades), DB Matt Elam(Alphas), Trumaine Washington(Greys)
Winnipeg Sea Bears selected QB Logan Woodside(Commanders), WR Markeith Ambles(Argonauts), OL Martez Ivey(Vipers), Andrew Tiller(Vipers), DL Miles Fox(Otters), Ricky Walker(Vipers), DB Desmond Lawrence(Defenders), Deatrick Nichols(Roughnecks)
London Crusaders selected WR Marcel Ateman(Las Vegas), OL Jaryd Jones-Smith(Commanders), LB Mike Rose(Greys), Tre Watson(Renegades), K Donny Hageman(Fleet)
Munich Ravens selected RB Jacques Patrick(Vipers), WR Jalen Tolliver(Vipers), OL Malcolm Bunche(Defenders), DB Tenny Adewusi(Renegades), Kameron Kelly(Fleet) and Ranthony Texada(Alouettes)
XFL Teams Add to Rosters with Supplemental Draft
October 25, 2022
Arlington, TX - The XFL kicked off the new year by conducting a Supplemental Draft Sunday to fill the remaining roster spots on each team. The draft consisted of 10 rounds, with a total of 90 players selected. The teams followed a snake-style format with the pick order reversing each round. The selections included 1) players who were previously ineligible to be drafted, and 2) players who were not selected previously.
Dallas Renegades selected TE Sal Cannella, OL Garrett McGhin, Cameron Hunt, Teton Saltes, DL Tomasi Laulile, LB Donald Payne, DB DeVante Bausby, P Marquette King
Atlanta Alphas selected RB Peyton Barber
Columbus Battlehawks selected RB Tarik Cohen
San Antonio Commanders selected QB Josh Rosen, RB Devontae Booker, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
New York Guardians selected QB Kevin Hogan, RB Wayne Gallman, WR John Ross
Memphis Express selected QB Blake Bortles, RB Chris Carson, WR Tajae Sharpe
Seattle Dragons selected QB Ben DiNucci, RB Phillip Lindsay, WR Josh Gordon, OL Tejan Koroma, LB Shareef Miller, DB Alijah Holder
Houston Roughnecks selected OL Ryan Pope, John Yarbrough
San Diego Fleet selected RB Jalen Richard
Paris Musketeers selected QB Paxton Lynch, WR Lance Lenoir
Washington Defenders selected QB Jordan Ta'amu, OL Gunnar Vogel and Bruno Reagan, DL Davin Bellamy, LB Reggie Northrup
Los Angeles Legends selected WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside
London Crusaders selected QB AJ McCarron, WR Darrius Shepherd, OL Vadal Alexander, Juwann Bushell-Beatty, Dallas Warmack, DL Freedom Akinmoladun,
Las Vegas Vipers selected DL Destiny Vaeao and Cavon Walker, DB Jamar Summers
Munich Mercenaries selected RB Kalen Ballage, OL Kai Absheer, Chidi Okeke, Maea Teuhema, DL Shakir Soto and Kamilo Tongamoa
Last edited by
BengalErnst on Thu Feb 27, 2025 7:12 pm, edited 17 times in total.