On December 5th, the XFL announced the first eight inaugural franchise cities for its XFL relaunch in 2020. On that list of eight teams was St. Louis. Some of you may know that St. Louis used to be the home of the NFL franchise the Rams (they even won a Super Bowl) before they were unjustly ripped away from the city in 2016. Since then, there has been a gaping hole in the city. You can say what you want about attendance, but it did affect the city and its people. I have spoken with people from the city about how it changed; many were out of jobs, which is never good.
I actually had the distinct honor of getting a stadium tour while the Rams were still in St. Louis in 2015. I got to walk around the locker room, go onto the field and tour all the ins and outs of the Dome. It was great. I am not saying I was ever a St. Louis Rams fan, but the city of St. Louis has always had a soft spot within me due to some great family vacations and experiences. Now St. Louis is about to get X-Treme as the XFL announced in a press conference that professional football is back in St. Louis, and I couldn't be happier.
No team names or logos have been released to the public as of yet. That will come in time. Rules, such as PED testing, will be implemented. XFL commissioner Oliver Luck stated they are looking to have competitive salaries with the NFL. They will also have decriminalized rosters. All of this sounds great, and I am very excited for this new and revamped XFL. I enjoyed the XFL the first time, and now they are getting rid of the theatrics that many said dampened the old XFL; this will be nothing but a football company. The whole idea, from what I gathered, is to bring the football of old back. A catch is a catch. Roughing the passer won't be as easily called unless it is apparent and other, more "old school rules,"
will be implemented, which is exciting. The XFL has also made it clear that they will make this league as safe as possible for its players.
Whatever the rules are, I am down. It means more football. That's all that really matters, right? Also, FOOTBALL IS BACK IN ST.LOUIS! LET'S GO!
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