Lions Bringing League MVP Mason Espinosa Back for the 2022 Season
February 11, 2022 - National Arena League (NAL)
Columbus Lions News Release
After a record-setting year in which he won the NAL MVP award, Mason Espinosa will be back with Columbus for the 2022 season as the Lions for their first NAL Championship. This is the first year of the NAL Ironman rules, however, quarterbacks are protected and will not play on both sides of the ball.
Espinosa made his return to the Lions last year after spending one season with the Albany Empire, winning the final AFL Championship as the backup to Tommy Grady.
He made an immediate impact, throwing for nine touchdowns in the 2021 season opener, tying the NAL record for passing touchdowns in a game.
Espinosa continued to dominate defenses throughout the rest of the season, throwing at least 5 or more touchdowns in every game. He also threw for over 250 yards four times. After throwing for an interception in each of his first two games, Espinosa did not throw another for the rest of the season, finishing the year with a league-best 28/1 TD:INT ratio.
The Lions were the best passing offense in the NAL and Espinosa was the best quarterback, finishing 2,230 yards, 56 touchdowns and two interceptions, all first in the league. Behind his arm, the Lions were the second-best offense and the second-best team, with their only losses coming to the Albany Empire. Espinosa earned the NAL MVP award, four years after being named NAL Offensive Player of the Year in 2017.
In 2017, the Lions made it to the first ever NAL Championship game behind the arm of Espinosa and in 2021 they made it once again, this time squaring off with the Albany Empire. The Lions came up short, losing 79-62 in the highest scoring NAL Championship.
Now Espinosa and the Lions are preparing for another NAL Championship run, with familiar faces such as Desmond Reece and new ones like Ke'Vontae Pope on offense. It will be the first year of the NAL Ironman which will change the game in a number of ways, including defenders such as Droell Greene playing on offense as well.
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National Arena League Stories from February 11, 2022
- Lions Bringing League MVP Mason Espinosa Back for the 2022 Season - Columbus Lions
- Albany Empire Add NAL Championship Quarterback Mike Fafaul - Albany Empire
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