If You Build It, They Will Come

Football isn't over just because the Super Bowl is over.  While we might all remember the USFL commercials in the Super Bowl, I'm actually talking about the XFL which is starting up this weekend.  There are eight teams competing in this league, resurrected from the 2020 Covid killed season, and now owned by Dwayne Johnson.  There are also a number of Iowa Connections in the league. Iowa - 7 Iowa State - 6 Drake - 1 Dubuque - 1 Grand View - 2 Iowa Western - 1 Johnston - 1 Northern Iowa - 1 Upper Iowa - 1

        Profile E.J. Bibbs is a tight end who started at Arizona Western CC before transferring to Iowa State for his final 2 years, earning 1st Team All-Conference honors*.  Bibbs was undrafted but played for Cleveland his first year.  Bibbs bounced around other NFL teams before playing in the newly recreated XFL** in the doomed 2020 year.  * Bibbs was the only Cyclone on either 1st or 2nd teams.  Allen Lazard was a honorable mention. ** Other XFLers: Players: James Butler (UofI), Elijah Campbell (UNI), Jake Campos (ISU)  Coaches: Jonathan Hayes (UofI), Bob Stoops (UofI), Chuck Long (UofI) Personal Notes Moonlight Graham was a ball player in the movie Field of Dreams who had one at bat and was immortalized for the idea of reaching your dreams, but just barely.  E.J. Bibbs has one catch for seven yards.  Where is his movie?! One other thing I noticed when googling E.J. Bibbs, which of these is there more of: E.J. Bibbs car...

        Profile Akrum Wadley was a running back for the Iowa Hawkeyes who was signed by the Tennessee Titans before moving on to the AAF* and new XFL**, both of which became defunct (although who knows how the XFL might have done if it weren't 2020).  * Iowa connections in the AAF: Wadley, Elijah Campbell (UNI), Oni Omoile (ISU), Karter Schult (UNI), and Joel Lanning (ISU) ** Campbell joined Wadley in both leagues Personal Notes Google Wadley now, and its just sad.  Wadley is one of a few players that have come forward to accuse the Iowa Hawkeye program of being racist and treating its black players differently than the rest of the team.  I think my gut reaction to stories like this one are to picture which world is better and support the side that provides that world, and so often that is just plain wrong.   I remember when Barry Bonds was accused of using steroids. The rosiest choice was a world that somebody was lying to hurt Barry for wha...