Football fans worldwide rejoiced as the XFL kicked off its season on Feb. 8 after a 20-year hiatus. This newly formed professional league gives all sorts of football players their shot to start on a professional football team, as opposed to having to sit on the bench or be part of the practice squad on an NFL team. The XFL also experiments with new rules and concepts, some of which may make their way to the NFL.
“I like the [relaxed] rules specifically and the reviewing takes a lot less time, it’s better paced than an NFL game,” said Daniel Baldwin, senior.
The XFL is much more casual than the NFL, allowing much more elaborate touchdown and post game celebrations for the teams. The winning team of each matchup is treated to a party in the Bud Light Seltzer Lounge, resulting in countless social media videos of players chugging seltzer and celebrating the win.
“It’s been exciting, I mean just the work that they’ve put in up to this point, all the players and coaches have really committed themselves and sacrificed a lot to make sure that on gameday on the highest level and to try and go out and win a football game,” said Pep Hamilton, DC Defenders Head Coach.
The XFL features eight teams, split into an east and west conference, each composed of four teams. The XFL’s playoff system is similar to the NFL’s, just smaller. The top two teams in each conference play each other for a spot in the title game. The Houston Roughnecks currently lead the West conference with a 2-0 record and the DC Defenders lead the east at 2-0.
“[My favorite team is] the Seattle Dragons, because they’re literally the Dragons,” said Baldwin.
Roughnecks quarterback P.J. Walker has made his league MVP bid early, throwing for 449 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception over only two games. Following close behind is DC’s Cardale Jones, a former Ohio State starter, throwing for 511 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.
“Don’t say anything to me about level of comp or scrubs and any other bull. PJ Walker and Cam Phillips are ballin,” said Louis Riddick, ESPN Sports Analyst.
