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XFL in Their Own Words: Players, Coaches on What to Expect in the XFL Championship

May 12, 2023 - XFL (XFL) News Release


Nearly three months ago, eight XFL teams kicked off the 2023 season.

Now, only two teams remain as the season is set to conclude.

The North Division champion D.C. Defenders and South Division champion Arlington Renegades will battle for the title Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio. It's a true David vs. Goliath matchup. The Defenders were the best team in the regular season with a 9-1 record and defeated the high-octane Seattle Sea Dragons to make the title game. Arlington, on the other hand, struggled in the regular season to a 4-6 record. But the Renegades upset their in-state and practice-hub partner, the Houston Roughnecks, in the divisional round to earn their spot down I-35.

Both teams hope the championship, which kicks off at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC, is a game to remember. Here is what this game means to them and what fans should expect from the first XFL Championship game in over two decades.

D.C. Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta'amu

"Winning the XFL championship would mean the world to me. I've been in championships before in high school, state championships and lost every single one. Being able to have this championship in front of my eyes and ready to go, I'm super excited. This means the world to me just because a small kid from Hawaii getting this opportunity to bring the trophy home not just only to D.C. but to everywhere I've been at.

"My journey has been long and a lot of people grinded and supported me throughout this long journey. But I'm just happy to get this opportunity."

Arlington Renegades head coach Bob Stoops

"We took them to overtime the last time we played them and that was just a few weeks ago. Now, we focus on ourselves, being our best and don't really pay attention what anyone else thinks."

D.C. Defenders running back Abram Smith

"I'm from the west side of Texas. The last time we played in San Antonio, I probably had like 30-plus just in the stands for me alone. So just to have them back out there, a couple of my high school coaches can come. I think (former Baylor running backs coach and current Texas Tech wide receivers coach) Juice Johnson. he's gonna come watch me play. I'm very excited. I got a lot of people backing me up that's gonna be out in the stands for me."

Arlington Renegades quarterback Luis Perez

"The biggest thing I try to say is just don't make the moment be too big for you. Trust your preparation and your process that you've done throughout this whole season as what got us here. Don't make the moment too big but big-time players make big-time plays in big-time moments and this is a big moment. We got to show up."

XFL Vice President of Officiating and Playing Rules Innovation Dean Blandino

"This journey started over two years ago. To think that we got a full season under our belts now and everything that we learned and everything we've experienced and to see it all kind of come to a conclusion with the championship game, just really excited. Can't wait. D.C., they've probably been the best team all year. Then you look at Arlington, it's kind of like an underdog story. Luis Perez coming to Arlington and they really turned it around and big upset in the South Division Championship Game. I think it's going to be a great game and just like I said, it's been a journey that is years in the making."

Arlington Renegades wide receiver LuJuan Winningham

"I played high school football out here in Texas. We got to the fifth round and we played in Alamodome in San Antonio. I'm not gonna lie, we got routed. I had a great day but being able to go back there and have it all on the line and get paid again, it's a special opportunity.

"I couldn't ask for a better group of guys to go out there and do it because I think we all believe in each other even though nobody else really believes in us. ... You can say whatever the record is, you can say whatever you want, but at this point, don't nobody want to go out there and play us.

"In this locker room, we know between us that we're gonna go out there and we're gonna put on a hell of a game. Everybody's doubting us. We really don't want it any other way. We want to get out there and we want to shock the world and show them. Forget the record, forget whatever y'all talking about, this group of guys in this locker room can still go out there and play. We can still go out there and do it at a high level with anybody you put out here. It's exciting to get out there and showcase that."

D.C. Defenders head coach Reggie Barlow

"I've been blessed to win a college championship as a coach and a player. So much different as a coach when doing this on a pro level. To have an opportunity to win it would just mean it would be better than me having a chance to win the Super Bowl.

"We put this all together with an opportunity given by the league presidents and owners. That part of it - because of the dynamics - you're not talking about a team that was already there and you get to sprinkle some pieces in and the coaching staff that was already there. It was literally a blank sheet of paper. Then you have to get all these personalities from all these different places, mix 'em together, make them become the brotherhood of respect and love and care for each other. It would be the best thing to happen outside of my kids."

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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