Episodes
Last weekend we witnessed the XFL kick off its 2023 season. In this podcast Mark Nelson speaks with Greg Parks. Greg is a football fan, and an XFLBoard.com contributor who writes about the league. He is also a wrestling fan and a columnist at Pro Wrestling Torch PWTORCH.com. Greg and Mark talk about the week that was, beer snakes and lemons, injuries to injuries to offensive lines, quarterbacks and lack of performance, game attendance and ticket sales, and differences in the broadcast from...
Published 02/21/23
With players from all XFL teams travelling to Arlington Texas to attend a combined training camp the excitement for the league is continuing to build. With the schedule now released, and the announcement that the Vegas Vipers will play in Cashman Field, the thought of the XFL kicking off on 18 February is drawing even closer to reality. In this podcast we hear about the football journey of Cecil Cherry, a linebacker who excelled in college, but had his NFL Pro day cancelled because of COVID....
Published 01/06/23
In this podcast Mark Nelson speaks with Greg Parks. Greg is a football fan, and an XFLBoard.com contributor who writes about the league as a whole. He is also a wrestling fan and a columnist at Pro Wrestling Torch PWTORCH.com. Greg talks talk about the supplementary draft, and recaps some of the more interesting player selections. Greg also remarks on how many players have jumped from the USFL to the XFL. and comments on the league’s relationship with the “NFL Alumni Academy” and how it...
Published 01/03/23
With the XFL draft complete, and 442 non-quarterback players selected by eight teams, we look toward some of the players who were selected. In this podcast Mark Nelson interviews two players. First, wide receiver Dontez Byrd who was selected by the Orlando Guardians in the sixth round of the Offensive Skills phase. Dontez is returning to the XFL after playing for the Seattle Dragons in the 2020 season. He will tell us where he was when he heard he was drafted, and talk about what he will...
Published 11/21/22
The XFL draft is now complete. The league evaluated nearly 6,000 players at XFL showcases, NFL training camps, tryouts, and via film. The top prospects from these evaluations were invited to enter the XFL Draft pool of 1,700 players who were vying for 528 spots in training camp and 400 active player roster spots. The Draft event led off with 15 quarterbacks being assigned to 8 XFL teams, followed by two days of draft selections done by the teams. According the league, there were 442...
Published 11/18/22
The XFL draft is taking place next week. According to the league, almost 6,000 players have been evaluated at XFL showcases, NFL training camps, and tryouts. The top prospects from these evaluations have been invited to enter the XFL Draft pool of 1700 players, who are vying for 528 spots in training camp and 400 active player roster spots. Regardless of the fact only one quarter of players in the draft pool will ever play a down of XFL football, players are always on the hunt for playing...
Published 11/13/22
With the XFL summer showcases complete, we are now seeing players posting videos and analytics taken from their “Breakaway Data” app where they can see specifics about their showcase workouts. It’s a fascinating insight into the level of technology Breakaway Data brought to the XFL showcases. In this podcast Mark Nelson speaks to two guests. First you will hear from Steve Gera, founder/investor of Breakaway Data. Steve will talk about how the Breakaway Data system works, and give some...
Published 08/13/22
Since the XFL has completed their run of six player showcases draft invites continue to go out to players. Reportedly the league is also sending draft invites out to many former players from the 2020 season. The XFL draft pool is being built, however the list will likely ebb and flow all the way up to this fall’s draft. In this podcast Mark Nelson speaks to two guests, both part of the XFL draft pool. First you will hear from quarterback Jordan Kitna, just out of college and hungry for a...
Published 08/06/22
The XFL has completed their run of six player showcases. Draft invites are going out in an effort to build the pool of players available for the XFL draft this fall. On the same day as the last showcase, the league announced its eight cities and venues for the 2023 season. Gone are New York, Tampa Bay and Los Angeles, as they have been replaced by Orlando, San Antonio and Las Vegas. Also, Dallas is now named Arlington. Exciting news for a football league where play is just over six months...
Published 07/25/22
The XFL is ramping up their promotion for the league for the planned 2023 season. Chairwoman and owner Dany Garcia, and co-owner Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson have been seen at the ESPY awards and on late night television promoting the XFL as a league of opportunity.  They have also been attending showcases, with The Rock donning a number 54 jersey, meaning that in his football playing days he never made a 53-man NFL roster, and he was the odd man out. He does so while speaking to a throng of...
Published 07/22/22
In this podcast, Mark Nelson speaks to Kenneth Farrow, a former San Diego Chargers, San Antonio Commanders, and Seattle Dragons running back, and current chairman of the United Football Players Association (UFPA). They talk about how the UFPA is working to support USFL players currently in Birmingham, and the intention to unionize USFL  players under the United Steelworkers. Kenneth explains how they hope to help create a work environment so that leagues like the USFL, who have been...
Published 05/05/22
With the XFL under the new ownership group of Dany Garcia, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Jerry Cardinale with the RedBird Capital group, the league is planning to kick off in 317 days, on 18 February 2023. Meanwhile, fans who are awaiting solid news of league progress were excited to hear the league planned a big announcement today. However, once the announcement was released it consisted of a new league logo and a description of the over-arching tenets of the league. While the league’s...
Published 04/07/22
While the XFL exists in name only, the new ownership group of Dany Garcia, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and RedBird Capital have decided to pause their plan to kickoff in Spring 2022. Instead, the league has entered into talks with the Canadian Football League with hopes of a merger, and creating a new International league. While the many challenges in such a merger are obvious, and the merger talks are tight-lipped, players, coaches and fans await any news of the outcome. In this episode you...
Published 04/10/21
Since the transfer of the XFL to the new ownership group of Dany Garcia, Dwayne The Rock Johnson and RedBird Capital has taken place, the sports world awaits news of when the XFL will return to play. There has been false rumors, which is always frustrating. However, reliable sources have said to expect something soon, and it will be exciting. So, we continue to wait patiently. In this episode host Mark Nelson interviews Ernesto Lacayo, placekicker for the Seattle Dragons.  Ernesto talks...
Published 08/30/20
A few days ago, the transfer of ownership of the XFL to the new ownership group of Dany Garcia, Dwayne The Rock Johnson and RedBird Capital was completed. As a symbol of taking over the league, Garcia and "The Rock" placed images of "keys" on their social media accounts. The excitement of these new owners taking over the league spread over social media and on fan websites kike wildfire. Surely there are better times in store for the league. In this episode host Mark Nelson interviews two...
Published 08/23/20
XFL fans have received good news in the purchase of the league by Dany Garcia, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and RedBird Capital. We are not yet sure when and how the XFL will hit the field for their next game. This is exactly what we will talk about in this podcast. First, host Mark Nelson introduces Randy Mueller, former Director of Pro Personnel for the Houston Roughnecks. They discuss the XFL's player recruitment process, the accomplishments of the league, and more specifically the success...
Published 08/16/20
First, host Mark Nelson talks with Seattle Dragons running back Kenneth Farrow about the shortened XFL season, the success of the Seattle Dragons especially with the fans in the city of Seattle, his work with the "Grind with a Purpose" foundation, and...
Published 03/28/20
With the COVID-19 pandemic causing governments to dictate regulations regarding public gatherings, and considering the health and safety of XFL players, coaches and staffs, the XFL had no choice but to officially cancel the remainder of their 2020...
Published 03/21/20
 With the XFL shutting down their regular season, we are left to wonder what could have been if the second half of the season would have unfolded. With this in mind, Mark Nelson has invited Mike Mitchell to the podcast discuss the current situation with...
Published 03/15/20
 First, we speak to DC Defenders linebacker Jameer Thurman. We talk to Jameer the standout season he is having with the Defenders of the XFL, and hear how Jameer feels the Defenders are destined to go all the way to the XFL championship. Then we  speak...
Published 03/10/20
First, we speak to Dean Blandino the Head of XFL Officiating. We discuss the state of XFL officiating after week three, and talk about how transparent the league is attempting to be in its enforcement of the rules. Then we speak to Colin Gray, one of...
Published 03/03/20
Are you ready for some XFL Fantasy? This episode is a special episode where we talk about XFL fantasy football with Adam Pelletier. Adam is an XFL and Fantasy Football Writer, and we have him here today to talk to us about XFL Fantasy Football. Sit back...
Published 02/28/20
First, we go to the Houston and speak to James Butler a running back with the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL. We talk to James about how he is making the most of his opportunity with the Roughnecks, and about something he calls the "Houston Hop." Then we...
Published 02/25/20
First, we go to the west coast and speak to Dontez Bird, a wide receiver with the Seattle Dragons of the XFL. We talk with Dontez about the Dragons first win, and how exciting it is to play in a sports-minded city like Seattle. Then we speak to Mike...
Published 02/18/20