If there's anything to be said for the fledgling UFL, it is this: the imminent collapse of the league is one badly-kept secret.
On Tuesday, Philly Sports Live, and one of its writers, Charlie Flowe, reported that the league was about to go under, having cancelled its remaining schedule.
That piece was later retracted by apology, but tweets on Saturday from a purported "insider" named "Mr. U" indicate that the initial report was correct.
That was backed up by the intrepid reporters from Deadspin, which reported this afternoon that the league is in dire financial straits.
Nonetheless, the UFL seems poised for things to exist as normal, with Week 5's slate set to kick off Tuesday when Sacramento visits Omaha and the remainder of the league schedule still accessible on the main site.
Showing posts with label UFL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UFL. Show all posts
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Revised: UFL not out of business
Update: "After further research into this alleged news, we here at Philly Sports
Live have found out that the source from which the previous information
was received was not reliable and that the information was false. We
apologize to the United Football League and it’s community for releasing
this FALSE information. We strive to provide the most factual and
accurate sports news as possible and today, we got it wrong."
According to Philly Sports Live, the UFL has decided to fold up for good after only four weeks of the 2012 season.
The league, which faced financial obstacles ever since its 2009 inception, had a deal with CBS Sports in place, but with four football teams in non-traditional markets and flagging interest from the public, it was only a matter of time before the end.
Teams in Las Vegas, Sacramento, Omaha and Virginia Beach won't get to complete a season which was scheduled for eight weeks of regular season through mid-November and a title game slated for December 1.
According to Philly Sports Live, the UFL has decided to fold up for good after only four weeks of the 2012 season.
The league, which faced financial obstacles ever since its 2009 inception, had a deal with CBS Sports in place, but with four football teams in non-traditional markets and flagging interest from the public, it was only a matter of time before the end.
Teams in Las Vegas, Sacramento, Omaha and Virginia Beach won't get to complete a season which was scheduled for eight weeks of regular season through mid-November and a title game slated for December 1.
Friday, January 14, 2011
UFL commish addresses financial woes
UFL commissioner Michael Huyghue addressed his league's perceived financial woes in a statement released Friday:
"The United Football League was established to bring high-quality entertainment to markets that do not currently have professional football teams. We have succeeded in doing so.
"To date, the owners of the UFL have invested more than $100 million dollars to launch this league - notwithstanding the incredibly tough economic times and without request for a single dime from any local municipality. Last week at our Board Meeting the owners agreed to fund 2011 because they believe in the UFL and they believe in the progress that we have made.
"The UFL has provided jobs for almost 500 players over the last two years who might not have otherwise had employment opportunities in professional football, at a cost of more than $25 million dollars in salary. Almost 100 of these players found jobs with NFL clubs as a direct result of their participation in the UFL.
"The NFL does not have a financial interest in the UFL, yet has benefited from, in most cases, free access to these players.
"In excess of 500,000 fans have attended UFL games during the past two years at an average cost of less than $20 per person, and for many of them it was their first opportunity to see professional football in person. More than 4 million viewers have watched UFL games on television or through web streaming and on YouTube.
"We have provided affordable family entertainment at a time when our economy has otherwise taken away such opportunities.
"We have created jobs in local communities that did not previously exist. The UFL has had an impact of more than $10 million dollars per year in each of its franchise cities. In many cases, venues that were otherwise dormant have enjoyed revenue from UFL events.
"Many local police, fire and other municipality services have also benefited from these events.
"We are proud to have helped bring a focus to cities such as Omaha, Nebraska as a hotbed not only for their love of football but for their contagious sense of civic pride. The Omaha Nighthawks sold out all four of their home games in 2010 and through the success of the Nighthawks we have told incredible stories of people like Head Coach Joe Moglia, a local running back who came home to play in Ahman Green and the rejuvenation of Maurice Clarett to name a few.
"The reality is that most new businesses experience similar financial hardships. We may even see a lockout by the NFL next season because of increased expenses their teams’ owners are incurring.
"We are focused on continuing to build and grow the UFL on our terms, with a view towards delivering on our promises to our fans – including to play great football.
"So let’s allow the off-season to run its course. We will catch up on our bills and resolve any issues with our business partners in due course.
"I hope people will be rooting for the United Football League not against it. If we win everyone wins – players, fans, communities and owners."
"The United Football League was established to bring high-quality entertainment to markets that do not currently have professional football teams. We have succeeded in doing so.
"To date, the owners of the UFL have invested more than $100 million dollars to launch this league - notwithstanding the incredibly tough economic times and without request for a single dime from any local municipality. Last week at our Board Meeting the owners agreed to fund 2011 because they believe in the UFL and they believe in the progress that we have made.
"The UFL has provided jobs for almost 500 players over the last two years who might not have otherwise had employment opportunities in professional football, at a cost of more than $25 million dollars in salary. Almost 100 of these players found jobs with NFL clubs as a direct result of their participation in the UFL.
"The NFL does not have a financial interest in the UFL, yet has benefited from, in most cases, free access to these players.
"In excess of 500,000 fans have attended UFL games during the past two years at an average cost of less than $20 per person, and for many of them it was their first opportunity to see professional football in person. More than 4 million viewers have watched UFL games on television or through web streaming and on YouTube.
"We have provided affordable family entertainment at a time when our economy has otherwise taken away such opportunities.
"We have created jobs in local communities that did not previously exist. The UFL has had an impact of more than $10 million dollars per year in each of its franchise cities. In many cases, venues that were otherwise dormant have enjoyed revenue from UFL events.
"Many local police, fire and other municipality services have also benefited from these events.
"We are proud to have helped bring a focus to cities such as Omaha, Nebraska as a hotbed not only for their love of football but for their contagious sense of civic pride. The Omaha Nighthawks sold out all four of their home games in 2010 and through the success of the Nighthawks we have told incredible stories of people like Head Coach Joe Moglia, a local running back who came home to play in Ahman Green and the rejuvenation of Maurice Clarett to name a few.
"The reality is that most new businesses experience similar financial hardships. We may even see a lockout by the NFL next season because of increased expenses their teams’ owners are incurring.
"We are focused on continuing to build and grow the UFL on our terms, with a view towards delivering on our promises to our fans – including to play great football.
"So let’s allow the off-season to run its course. We will catch up on our bills and resolve any issues with our business partners in due course.
"I hope people will be rooting for the United Football League not against it. If we win everyone wins – players, fans, communities and owners."
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Former Eagles All-Pro Andrews taken in UFL Draft
Former Eagles All-Pro guard Shawn Andrews, who has struggled with back problems and off the field issues, was selected by the expansion Omaha Nighthawks in the United Football League Draft on Wednesday.
UFL teams preparing for the 2010 season each added 12 players to their respective rosters through the 2010 Player Draft.
With the first selection of the 2010 UFL Draft, head coach of the expansion Nighthawks, Jeff Jagodzinski, selected defensive end Dewayne White, a former second round NFL Draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers out of Louisville. The Nighthawks then added a second defensive end in ten-year NFL
veteran Chike Okeafor with the first pick of the second round.
"I am really excited about the guys that we've picked and feel that we are putting together a good team of youth and experience," said coach Jagodzinski. "These are guys that can make a difference and rush the passer in the case of Dewayne and Chike."
In the third round, the Nighthawks selected Andrews, who was originally taken 16th overall in 2004 NFL Draft by the Eagles.
The Nighthawks earned the first selection in the opening six rounds by virtue of being an expansion team and were followed in order by the Hartford Colonials (0-6 in 2009 as the New York Sentinels), Sacramento Mountain Lions (2-4 in 2009 as the California Redwoods), Florida Tuskers (6-0 in 2009, losing Championship Game finalists) and Las Vegas Locos (4-2 in 2009, UFL Premiere Season Champions).
Rounds seven through 12 followed a waiver wire selection system.
With the second overall selection, first year Hartford Colonials head coach Chris Palmer selected a local favorite in Connecticut running back Andre Dixon, who earned Second Team All-Big East honors both his sophomore and senior years. His 33 carries for 126 yards and a touchdown in the 2009 Papajohn.com Bowl
earned him the game MVP title.
Coach Palmer explained: "He went down to Danbury for our tryouts and had an excellent workout and I was very pleased with what I saw. I talked to the people at UConn and they told me he was a guy who caught the ball extremely well. You don't see that on film because they don't throw ball that much. He
has great hands.
"We selected players who had attended all three of our workouts in Berlin, Danbury and Virginia, which shows just how worthwhile those tryouts are."
With his first round pick, Sacramento Mountain Lions head coach Dennis Green selected quarterback Justin Goltz, who was in training camp with the Detroit Lions in 2009 having been a three-year starter at Occidental.
"He came to two of our camps and was very impressive," said Green. "He was a two-sport athlete in college and is a big tall guy with a really strong arm.
"We needed a couple of things and drafted two big offensive linemen in Tavita Thompson and Carl Spitale so that worked out for us. We got two good cornerbacks in Tim Clark and Willie Glasper, who both have exceptional speed. We feel very excited about the 52 players we have."
Jay Gruden and the Florida Tuskers selected a pair of linebackers with the fourth and ninth picks overall in Weston Dacus from Arkansas and Arnold Harrison, who won a Super Bowl ring with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"We are excited," said Gruden. "Dacus is an athletic linebacker who was with Kansas City and everyone I spoke to there had positive things to say about him. We need to get more speed and athleticism at the linebacker spot and these are two players who will have an immediate impact. Harrison was a big
time player at Georgia and can play all three linebacker positions."
The reigning UFL champion Las Vegas Locos made two defensive selections with the final picks of the first two rounds in linebacker Dominic Payne and cornerback Michael Ray Garvin.
"We thought Dominic was a tremendous athlete who will give us a lot of versatility," said Locos head coach Jim Fassel. "Michael Ray was the fastest guy I have ever seen run a 40. He is lightning fast and quick and he has a great attitude. He went to same high school as my son Mike and was a teammate of one of our linebackers, Brian Toal, so we had him in for a workout. At one time he was the leading kickoff returner in NCAA.
"Overall from the draft, we thought we needed a guy here and there to round out the team. We weren't depleted and we did a lot of research and most every one of the players we picked we had worked out. It is down to the character of a player and his attitude. We need a mix of pros with leadership qualities and
young developing players."
The Omaha Nighthawks spent the 60th and final pick overall on former Denver Broncos and New York Jets safety Nick Ferguson. The former Georgia Tech star also won a World Bowl ring with the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe.
The drafted players will join players already protected by their 2009 clubs, or selected in the expansion draft by the Nighthawks, taking each team's provisional roster to the maximum of 52 allowed. From June 3 onwards, teams may increase that number to 70 players who can participate in forthcoming Mini
Camps.
Players selected in the draft shall remain on each team's Reserved Unsigned List until formally added to the roster by virtue of a negotiated contract. Each team's roster will be released next week as they prepare to enter mini camps.
UFL roster breakdown:
* 20 protected players
* 20 additional unsigned free agents
* 12 drafted players
Rnd. No. UFL Team Player Pos. College
1 Omaha Dewayne White DE Louisville
2 Hartford Andre Dixon RB Connecticut
3 Sacramento Justin Goltz QB Occidental
4 Florida Weston Dacus LB Arkansas
5 Las Vegas Dominic Payne LB Western State
2 6 Omaha Chike Okeafor DE Purdue
7 Hartford Anthony Montgomery DL Minnesota
8 Sacramento Tavita Thompson OT Oregon State
9 Florida Arnold Harrison LB Georgia
10 Las Vegas Michael Ray Garvin CB Florida State
3 11 Omaha Shawn Andrews OT Arkansas
12 Hartford Shawn Bayes WR Kent State
13 Sacramento Tim Clark CB Oregon State
14 Florida John Standeford WR Purdue
15 Las Vegas Brian Coulter DE Missouri
4 16 Omaha Adrian Jones OT Kansas
17 Hartford Andre Barbour OL Eastern Kentucky
18 Sacramento Udofia Udeme DT Stanford
19 Florida Erik Pederson LB Portland State
20 Las Vegas Ryan Considine OT Louisiana Tech
5 21 Omaha Kenny Peterson DT Ohio State
22 Hartford Simoni Lawrence LB Minnesota
23 Sacramento Ryan McFoy S Arizona State
24 Florida Tyrrell Herbert S Toledo
25 Las Vegas Jovonte Taylor WR Hawaii
6 26 Omaha Ronald Curry WR North Carolina
27 Hartford Tim Mattran OL Stanford
28 Sacramento Antonio Chatman WR Cincinnati
29 Florida Adrien Clark OL Ohio State
30 Las Vegas Russ Weil FB Illinois
7 31 Hartford Robert Ortiz WR San Diego State
32 Sacramento Carl Spitale OT Florida Atlantic
33 Florida Kevin Harris FB Wake Forest
34 Las Vegas Cliff Washburn OT Citadel
35 Omaha DeMarcus Faggins CB Kansas State
8 36 Sacramento Dennis Keyes
S UCLA
37 Florida Cortez Hankton WR Texas Southern
38 Las Vegas Eddy Newton WR Baylor
39 Omaha Devard Darling WR Washington State
40 Hartford Asaph Schwapp FB Notre Dame
9 41 Florida Corey Small DB Florida Atlantic
42 Las Vegas Tony Parrish S Washington
43 Omaha Nate Webster LB Miami
44 Hartford Brandon Drumgoole DL Greensboro College
45 Sacramento Bobby Guillory WR C Missouri State
10 46 Las Vegas Lewis Baker S Oklahoma
47 Omaha Frank Walker CB Tuskegee
48 Hartford Ben Benshoof OL Wingate
49 Sacramento Curtis Young DE Cincinnati
50 Florida Chris Perri DE Stony Brook
11 51 Omaha Hollis Thomas DT Northern Illinois
52 Hartford Clint McPeek LB New Mexico
53 Sacramento Willie Glasper CB Oregon
54 Florida Greg Middleton DE Indiana
55 Las Vegas Alex Henderson RB Northern Arizona
12 56 Hartford Kendall Briscoe DT New Mexico
57 Sacramento Terrence Blevins RB Eastern Michigan
58 Florida Melvin Fowler C Maryland
59 Las Vegas Gabe Long DT Utah
60 Omaha Nick Ferguson S Georgia Tech
UFL teams preparing for the 2010 season each added 12 players to their respective rosters through the 2010 Player Draft.
With the first selection of the 2010 UFL Draft, head coach of the expansion Nighthawks, Jeff Jagodzinski, selected defensive end Dewayne White, a former second round NFL Draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers out of Louisville. The Nighthawks then added a second defensive end in ten-year NFL
veteran Chike Okeafor with the first pick of the second round.
"I am really excited about the guys that we've picked and feel that we are putting together a good team of youth and experience," said coach Jagodzinski. "These are guys that can make a difference and rush the passer in the case of Dewayne and Chike."
In the third round, the Nighthawks selected Andrews, who was originally taken 16th overall in 2004 NFL Draft by the Eagles.
The Nighthawks earned the first selection in the opening six rounds by virtue of being an expansion team and were followed in order by the Hartford Colonials (0-6 in 2009 as the New York Sentinels), Sacramento Mountain Lions (2-4 in 2009 as the California Redwoods), Florida Tuskers (6-0 in 2009, losing Championship Game finalists) and Las Vegas Locos (4-2 in 2009, UFL Premiere Season Champions).
Rounds seven through 12 followed a waiver wire selection system.
With the second overall selection, first year Hartford Colonials head coach Chris Palmer selected a local favorite in Connecticut running back Andre Dixon, who earned Second Team All-Big East honors both his sophomore and senior years. His 33 carries for 126 yards and a touchdown in the 2009 Papajohn.com Bowl
earned him the game MVP title.
Coach Palmer explained: "He went down to Danbury for our tryouts and had an excellent workout and I was very pleased with what I saw. I talked to the people at UConn and they told me he was a guy who caught the ball extremely well. You don't see that on film because they don't throw ball that much. He
has great hands.
"We selected players who had attended all three of our workouts in Berlin, Danbury and Virginia, which shows just how worthwhile those tryouts are."
With his first round pick, Sacramento Mountain Lions head coach Dennis Green selected quarterback Justin Goltz, who was in training camp with the Detroit Lions in 2009 having been a three-year starter at Occidental.
"He came to two of our camps and was very impressive," said Green. "He was a two-sport athlete in college and is a big tall guy with a really strong arm.
"We needed a couple of things and drafted two big offensive linemen in Tavita Thompson and Carl Spitale so that worked out for us. We got two good cornerbacks in Tim Clark and Willie Glasper, who both have exceptional speed. We feel very excited about the 52 players we have."
Jay Gruden and the Florida Tuskers selected a pair of linebackers with the fourth and ninth picks overall in Weston Dacus from Arkansas and Arnold Harrison, who won a Super Bowl ring with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"We are excited," said Gruden. "Dacus is an athletic linebacker who was with Kansas City and everyone I spoke to there had positive things to say about him. We need to get more speed and athleticism at the linebacker spot and these are two players who will have an immediate impact. Harrison was a big
time player at Georgia and can play all three linebacker positions."
The reigning UFL champion Las Vegas Locos made two defensive selections with the final picks of the first two rounds in linebacker Dominic Payne and cornerback Michael Ray Garvin.
"We thought Dominic was a tremendous athlete who will give us a lot of versatility," said Locos head coach Jim Fassel. "Michael Ray was the fastest guy I have ever seen run a 40. He is lightning fast and quick and he has a great attitude. He went to same high school as my son Mike and was a teammate of one of our linebackers, Brian Toal, so we had him in for a workout. At one time he was the leading kickoff returner in NCAA.
"Overall from the draft, we thought we needed a guy here and there to round out the team. We weren't depleted and we did a lot of research and most every one of the players we picked we had worked out. It is down to the character of a player and his attitude. We need a mix of pros with leadership qualities and
young developing players."
The Omaha Nighthawks spent the 60th and final pick overall on former Denver Broncos and New York Jets safety Nick Ferguson. The former Georgia Tech star also won a World Bowl ring with the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe.
The drafted players will join players already protected by their 2009 clubs, or selected in the expansion draft by the Nighthawks, taking each team's provisional roster to the maximum of 52 allowed. From June 3 onwards, teams may increase that number to 70 players who can participate in forthcoming Mini
Camps.
Players selected in the draft shall remain on each team's Reserved Unsigned List until formally added to the roster by virtue of a negotiated contract. Each team's roster will be released next week as they prepare to enter mini camps.
UFL roster breakdown:
* 20 protected players
* 20 additional unsigned free agents
* 12 drafted players
Rnd. No. UFL Team Player Pos. College
1 Omaha Dewayne White DE Louisville
2 Hartford Andre Dixon RB Connecticut
3 Sacramento Justin Goltz QB Occidental
4 Florida Weston Dacus LB Arkansas
5 Las Vegas Dominic Payne LB Western State
2 6 Omaha Chike Okeafor DE Purdue
7 Hartford Anthony Montgomery DL Minnesota
8 Sacramento Tavita Thompson OT Oregon State
9 Florida Arnold Harrison LB Georgia
10 Las Vegas Michael Ray Garvin CB Florida State
3 11 Omaha Shawn Andrews OT Arkansas
12 Hartford Shawn Bayes WR Kent State
13 Sacramento Tim Clark CB Oregon State
14 Florida John Standeford WR Purdue
15 Las Vegas Brian Coulter DE Missouri
4 16 Omaha Adrian Jones OT Kansas
17 Hartford Andre Barbour OL Eastern Kentucky
18 Sacramento Udofia Udeme DT Stanford
19 Florida Erik Pederson LB Portland State
20 Las Vegas Ryan Considine OT Louisiana Tech
5 21 Omaha Kenny Peterson DT Ohio State
22 Hartford Simoni Lawrence LB Minnesota
23 Sacramento Ryan McFoy S Arizona State
24 Florida Tyrrell Herbert S Toledo
25 Las Vegas Jovonte Taylor WR Hawaii
6 26 Omaha Ronald Curry WR North Carolina
27 Hartford Tim Mattran OL Stanford
28 Sacramento Antonio Chatman WR Cincinnati
29 Florida Adrien Clark OL Ohio State
30 Las Vegas Russ Weil FB Illinois
7 31 Hartford Robert Ortiz WR San Diego State
32 Sacramento Carl Spitale OT Florida Atlantic
33 Florida Kevin Harris FB Wake Forest
34 Las Vegas Cliff Washburn OT Citadel
35 Omaha DeMarcus Faggins CB Kansas State
8 36 Sacramento Dennis Keyes
S UCLA
37 Florida Cortez Hankton WR Texas Southern
38 Las Vegas Eddy Newton WR Baylor
39 Omaha Devard Darling WR Washington State
40 Hartford Asaph Schwapp FB Notre Dame
9 41 Florida Corey Small DB Florida Atlantic
42 Las Vegas Tony Parrish S Washington
43 Omaha Nate Webster LB Miami
44 Hartford Brandon Drumgoole DL Greensboro College
45 Sacramento Bobby Guillory WR C Missouri State
10 46 Las Vegas Lewis Baker S Oklahoma
47 Omaha Frank Walker CB Tuskegee
48 Hartford Ben Benshoof OL Wingate
49 Sacramento Curtis Young DE Cincinnati
50 Florida Chris Perri DE Stony Brook
11 51 Omaha Hollis Thomas DT Northern Illinois
52 Hartford Clint McPeek LB New Mexico
53 Sacramento Willie Glasper CB Oregon
54 Florida Greg Middleton DE Indiana
55 Las Vegas Alex Henderson RB Northern Arizona
12 56 Hartford Kendall Briscoe DT New Mexico
57 Sacramento Terrence Blevins RB Eastern Michigan
58 Florida Melvin Fowler C Maryland
59 Las Vegas Gabe Long DT Utah
60 Omaha Nick Ferguson S Georgia Tech
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Sims, Flutie headline UFL broadcast team
The United Football League announced today that four broadcasters will lead the television coverage of the UFL on VERSUS.
Veteran play-play announcer Dave Sims joins the broadcast booth with color analyst and former NFL standout Doug Flutie. Former Steelers Quarterback Kordell Stewart and radio and television host Anita Marks will serve as sideline and features reporters.
Veteran play-play announcer Dave Sims joins the broadcast booth with color analyst and former NFL standout Doug Flutie. Former Steelers Quarterback Kordell Stewart and radio and television host Anita Marks will serve as sideline and features reporters.
“We have assembled a top-notch team to lead our inaugural telecasts on VERSUS,” said Frank Vuono, COO of the UFL. “The combined football experience and knowledge of Dave, Doug, Kordell and Anita will help us provide unprecedented access to professional football while allowing the home viewer prime viewing position that will truly make them feel like they are part of the action.”
A two-time Emmy Award winning sportscaster, Dave Sims is best known as the television play-by-play voice for the Seattle Mariners and the radio play-by-play announcer for Westwood One’s NFL Sunday Night Football. In addition, Sims continues to be a mainstay on the college sports scene where he has been calling basketball games for ESPN since 1991. A veteran of the local New York sports scene, Sims worked at WCBS-TV as a reporter/anchor, has hosted talk shows at Madison Square Garden Network and WFAN-AM Radio and spent seven years as a sportswriter for the New York Daily News. In addition to his Emmy Awards, Sims accolades include the 2005 Big East Conference Media Award and the American Football Foundation’s 2003 Lindsey Nelson Outstanding Sportscaster Award.
A phenomenal college football player who rose to prominence during his playing days at Boston College, Doug Flutie is probably best remembered for his 1984 “Hail Mary” touchdown pass. A Heisman Trophy and Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award winner, Flutie has had experience playing at all levels of professional football including the USFL, the NFL and the CFL. Flutie led the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts to back-to-back Grey Cup victories and was named CFL’s Most Outstanding Player a record six times and MVP in all of his three Grey Cup victories. As a member of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, he earned Pro Bowl and NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors. In 2006, Flutie was the top ranked CFL Player. In 2007, Flutie was named to the College Football Hall of Fame and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, the first American born player to be inducted. In combining his CFL, NFL and USFL statistics, Flutie ranks sixth among the all-time pro football passing leaders in attempts, completions and touchdowns.
Kordell Stewart joins the UFL broadcast team as sideline reporter. As quarterback at the University of Colorado, Stewart is also heralded for his “Miracle at Michigan” pass which led the Buffaloes past the University of Michigan 27-26 in 1994. He became one of the most prolific quarterbacks in school history, setting several records including most completed passes, most passing yards and most touchdown passes. In Kordell’s first season as a starting quarterback in the NFL, in 1997, he led the Steelers to an 11–5 record and the AFC Championship Game. In 2001, Stewart led the Steelers to a 13-3 regular-season record and the top seed in the AFC playoffs. He had the best professional season of his career throwing for over 3,000 yards, completing 60 percent of his passes and attaining a passer rating of 81.7. Stewart threw for 14 touchdowns and ran for five more. Stewart’s year culminated with his being elected to the Pro Bowl and being named Steelers MVP. Among NFL quarterbacks, Stewarts’ 38 rushing touchdowns ranks second all-time behind Steve Young’s. Stewart was given the nickname “Slash” early in his career due to his abilities as utility player playing running back/wide receiver/punter. Most recently, Stewart served as studio host on ESPNews for its college broadcasts.
Anita Marks learned about football by playing the sport competitively. She fine-tuned her football skills and dominated the Collegiate Flag Football Circuit for four years while attending the University of South Florida (USF) where she graduated with a Communications degree. Upon graduation from USF, Marks transferred her passion for sports into a career as a sports producer for the local CBS affiliate in Miami. The opportunity to return to the gridiron and play professional football occurred in 1999 when Marks served as quarterback for the Miami Fury, a women's professional football team, for four years and the Florida Stingrays for one year. Known for her incredible arm strength and pinpoint accuracy, Marks developed a reputation for being one of the best QB's to ever play women's professional football. Upon conclusion of her playing days, Marks transitioned back to the media and currently hosts her own afternoon sports talk show on Baltimore's ESPN Radio 1300, which is also simulcast on television’s Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN). Marks also hosts the Ravens pre- and post-game shows and has her own television show on MASN called Fantasy Blitz.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Local players highlight UFL training camp rosters
The United Football League announced its "Premiere" season training camp rosters today. Training camp officially began on Monday, September 13th in Orlando, Florida and Casa Grande, Arizona and players were added until this morning.
The Florida Tuskers and New York Sentinels are training at the Citrus Bowl while the California Redwoods and the Las Vegas Locomotives are training at the Casa Grande Performance Institute.
"The first two days of practice have been an awakening for the UFL with the players joining together and beginning practice as a cohesive unit," said Rick Mueller, UFL VP & GM. "Our coaches have told us that this group of players has equal talent to that of any other players they have coached and fans will be impressed when the teams take the field in three weeks. The players understand that most of them are being given a second opportunity to play professional football and are eager to train hard and show their talents."
Indiana (Pa.) wide receiver Leron McCoy is on the California Redwoods along with former Rutgers and Eagles QB Mike McMahon. Penn State safety and former NFLer Bhawoh Jue is on the Florida Tuskers. Lehigh tight end Adam Bergen, and Rutgers tackle Pedro Sosa are on the Las Vegas Locos while Penn guard Sean Estrada, East Stroudsburg defensive back Lionel Mitchell, Temple linebacker Rian Wallace and Temple defensive end Rodney Wormley are with the New York Sentinels.
The Florida Tuskers and New York Sentinels are training at the Citrus Bowl while the California Redwoods and the Las Vegas Locomotives are training at the Casa Grande Performance Institute.
"The first two days of practice have been an awakening for the UFL with the players joining together and beginning practice as a cohesive unit," said Rick Mueller, UFL VP & GM. "Our coaches have told us that this group of players has equal talent to that of any other players they have coached and fans will be impressed when the teams take the field in three weeks. The players understand that most of them are being given a second opportunity to play professional football and are eager to train hard and show their talents."
Indiana (Pa.) wide receiver Leron McCoy is on the California Redwoods along with former Rutgers and Eagles QB Mike McMahon. Penn State safety and former NFLer Bhawoh Jue is on the Florida Tuskers. Lehigh tight end Adam Bergen, and Rutgers tackle Pedro Sosa are on the Las Vegas Locos while Penn guard Sean Estrada, East Stroudsburg defensive back Lionel Mitchell, Temple linebacker Rian Wallace and Temple defensive end Rodney Wormley are with the New York Sentinels.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Two former Temple players sign with UFL's New York Sentinels
The United Football League’s New York Sentinels signed 16 additional players Wednesday including a pair of former Temple stars, linebacker Rian Wallace and defensive end Rodney Wormley.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Las Vegas Locomotives!
LAS VEGAS (August 10, 2009) – At a press conference today, United Football League Commissioner Michael Huyghue announced the Las Vegas franchise will be named the Locomotives and unveiled team uniforms showcasing the Locomotives’ “Premiere” season colors of silver, blue and white.
The name “Locomotives” was selected after reviewing more than thirty thousand fan entries and receiving interpretation from industry experts and an in-house creative team on what attributes the fans were seeking with their submissions. Las Vegas Locomotives Head Coach Jim Fassel was also in attendance at the press event.
“It was critical for us to select team names that we felt best reflected the local community while simultaneously defining the personality of the team,” said Commissioner Huyghue. “Las Vegas was originally established in 1905 with the opening of the Salt Lake, San Pedro and Los Angeles Railroads. We wanted to honor the vast history of the city and the intrinsic benefits that this innovation provided to the community.”
Tomorrow, the United Football League will be holding a press conference at AT&T Park to announce the San Francisco team’s name. Similar events will be held in Orlando on Wednesday and in New York on Thursday. Photos of each of the team’s uniforms will be available on the League’s website, www.ufl-football.com, along with video from the press events.
“We are extremely pleased with the names selected for all of our teams and the overall “Premiere” season uniform design,” said Frank Vuono, COO of the UFL. “Name selection for a new sports franchise can be an arduous process having to take into account the disqualification of many great possibilities due to trademark and copyright issues. There was a team of experts headed up by Jeff Sofka of Bendigo Co., and included Charley Inc., GameWear Team Sports, Purepartner, and many others who assisted in the name selection and uniform design processes and we are grateful for all of their hard work.”
The name “Locomotives” was selected after reviewing more than thirty thousand fan entries and receiving interpretation from industry experts and an in-house creative team on what attributes the fans were seeking with their submissions. Las Vegas Locomotives Head Coach Jim Fassel was also in attendance at the press event.
“It was critical for us to select team names that we felt best reflected the local community while simultaneously defining the personality of the team,” said Commissioner Huyghue. “Las Vegas was originally established in 1905 with the opening of the Salt Lake, San Pedro and Los Angeles Railroads. We wanted to honor the vast history of the city and the intrinsic benefits that this innovation provided to the community.”
Tomorrow, the United Football League will be holding a press conference at AT&T Park to announce the San Francisco team’s name. Similar events will be held in Orlando on Wednesday and in New York on Thursday. Photos of each of the team’s uniforms will be available on the League’s website, www.ufl-football.com, along with video from the press events.
“We are extremely pleased with the names selected for all of our teams and the overall “Premiere” season uniform design,” said Frank Vuono, COO of the UFL. “Name selection for a new sports franchise can be an arduous process having to take into account the disqualification of many great possibilities due to trademark and copyright issues. There was a team of experts headed up by Jeff Sofka of Bendigo Co., and included Charley Inc., GameWear Team Sports, Purepartner, and many others who assisted in the name selection and uniform design processes and we are grateful for all of their hard work.”
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Another Lehigh player to UFL
The United Football League (UFL) announced today the signing of 19 players for its Las Vegas franchise including former Lehigh tight end Adam Bergen as well as former NFL quarterback Tim Rattay and linebackers Teddy Lehman and Brandon Moore. The complete list of players being announced today includes:
Pos. Player College
TE Bergen, Adam Lehigh
OG Boone, Jason Utah
DT Bryant, Wendell Wisconsin
LB Butler, Ezra Nevada
OG Davis, Frank South Florida
OT Joyce, Brandon Illinois State
WR Kircus, David Grand Valley State
NT Kolodziej, Ross Wisconsin
LB Lehman, Teddy Oklahoma
DT Long, Gabe Utah
LB Moore, Brandon Oklahoma
LB Palmer, Ronnie Arizona
QB Rattay, Tim Louisiana Tech
RB Thompson, Tyson San Jose State
WR Thurman, Andrae Arizona
DB Turnbull, Nick Florida International
LB Toal, Brian Boston College
RB Whitehead, Terrance Oregon
CB Williams, Chaz LA Monroe
The United Football League previously announced the signing of former NFL first-round draft pick JP Losman to the Las Vegas franchise. There will be more players for the Las Vegas franchise announced over the next few weeks.
“The players who have signed with the Las Vegas franchise thus far are a top-notch line-up of former NFL veterans and skilled players who have the experience to produce on the field,” said Las Vegas Head Coach Jim Fassel. “I am anxious to complete my roster and begin training camp in September.”
Pos. Player College
TE Bergen, Adam Lehigh
OG Boone, Jason Utah
DT Bryant, Wendell Wisconsin
LB Butler, Ezra Nevada
OG Davis, Frank South Florida
OT Joyce, Brandon Illinois State
WR Kircus, David Grand Valley State
NT Kolodziej, Ross Wisconsin
LB Lehman, Teddy Oklahoma
DT Long, Gabe Utah
LB Moore, Brandon Oklahoma
LB Palmer, Ronnie Arizona
QB Rattay, Tim Louisiana Tech
RB Thompson, Tyson San Jose State
WR Thurman, Andrae Arizona
DB Turnbull, Nick Florida International
LB Toal, Brian Boston College
RB Whitehead, Terrance Oregon
CB Williams, Chaz LA Monroe
The United Football League previously announced the signing of former NFL first-round draft pick JP Losman to the Las Vegas franchise. There will be more players for the Las Vegas franchise announced over the next few weeks.
“The players who have signed with the Las Vegas franchise thus far are a top-notch line-up of former NFL veterans and skilled players who have the experience to produce on the field,” said Las Vegas Head Coach Jim Fassel. “I am anxious to complete my roster and begin training camp in September.”
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
UFL New York club signs former Lehigh RB
The United Football League announced today the signing of 19 players for its New York franchise including former Lehigh running back Rich Alexis. Former NFL quarterback Quinn Gray and coach Ted Cottrell's on, T.J. Cottrell, were also inked. The complete list of players being announced today includes:
Pos. Player College
• RB Alexis, Rich Lehigh
• QB Bacher, CJ Northwestern
• K Barrett, Aaron New Mexico
• DB Bonner, Brian Texas Christian
• TE Cottrell, TJ Buffalo State
• DT Clebert, Richard South Florida
• TE Davis, Charles Purdue
• QB Gray, Quinn Florida A&M
• RB Gross, Tyronne Eastern Oregon
• WR Hoag, Ryan Gustavus Adolphus
• QB Johnson, Brian Utah
• LB Magro, Marc West Virginia
• CB Maze, Terrelle San Diego State
• OL Norell, Ray Buffalo
• RB Rubin, Joe Portland State
• WR Sanders, Steve Bowling Green
• RB Sapp, Cecil Colorado State
• LB Williams, Nathan Murray State
• RB Woods, Shannon Texas Tech
“In my inaugural season as head coach, it has been very exciting going through the player allocation process and utilizing a blank canvas to create a winning franchise,” said Ted Cottrell. “There are many talented players who are looking for another chance to shine and I am glad the UFL is providing that opportunity for both of us.Wednesday, July 22, 2009
UFL signs first "big name" in Losman
The United Football League announced today that its Las Vegas franchise has signed former NFL first-round draft pick Jonathan Paul “JP” Losman for the League’s “Premiere” season.
“I have followed JP’s career since his early days with Buffalo where he impressed me with his raw talent, passing accuracy and on-field competitiveness,” said Jim Fassel, Head Coach of the Las Vegas franchise. “JP has all the attributes of a great professional quarterback and I am truly looking forward to working with him. I am anxious to start the season with JP at the helm of this Las Vegas franchise and show what we can do on the field.”
Losman, a first round draft choice in 2004 by the Buffalo Bills, spent five seasons with the club. He served as Bills’ team captain in 2007 and his 63.43 completion percentage was the fourth-single best season mark in team history. In 2007, Losman also threw the longest touchdown pass in the AFC and fifth longest in team history with an 85-yard pass against the Jets. He was a two-time team captain at Tulane, setting career records for lowest interception percentage in school history with a mark of 2.73 (27 INTs in 987 attempts). Losman finished his collegiate career ranked in Tulane’s all-time Top 10 in 18 categories including third in touchdown passes (60), completions (570) and passing efficiency (129.81). He also ranks in Conference USA’s all-time Top 10 in ten different passing and total offense records.
“The United Football League is providing me with the opportunity to play the sport I love at a high level and for that, I am extremely grateful,” said Losman. “There are many players just like me who possess the skills to compete at the highest levels and just need the playing time to showcase their talents. The United Football League is filling that void and giving more players the opportunity to play. I am excited to get back out onto the field and represent Las Vegas during the League’s first season.”
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
UFL has better rules than NFL
Tthe UFL’s Competition Committee announced a few common sense rule modifications for the League’s “Premiere” season.
The rule enhancements that have been approved for the UFL’s “Premiere” season include:
- The deletion of the “Tuck” rule which makes a loose ball a fumble if the passer loses possession of the ball as he is putting it away after completion of the forward pass motion.
- A fumble into and out of the end zone returns the ball to the spot of the fumble when not recovered in the end zone – making it consistent with other fumble rules.
- The Quarterback can legally ground the football if inside or outside the pocket area while under duress.
- Tasteful individual and/or group celebrations are permitted ONLY in end zone and bench area.
- Instant Replay rulings will be made by the Replay Official in the Replay Booth rather than the on-field referee. Review time will be 90 seconds rather than 60 seconds.
- During overtime/sudden-death, both teams will have an opportunity to possess the football during the allotted 15 minutes. Sudden-death rules apply after both teams have had an opportunity to possess the football.
- Approved television cameras will be allowed in the locker rooms for the first four minutes of halftime.
- Head Coaches will be wired for sound for television broadcasts (no sideline discussions will be aired). Cameras and microphones in the bench area will be allowed during the game to capture real-time emotional moments.
- TV audience will hear coach to quarterback communications on tape-delayed basis.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Inaugural UFL Draft
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