Exclusive preview of the USFL championship game on FOX
Former Dallas Cowboy and current executive vice president of the USFL, Daryl Johnston, talks about Sunday’s championship game between the Philadelphia Stars and the Birmingham Stallions and describes the USFL’s progress since his return.
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USFL stars Victor Bolden Jr. and Maurice Alexander Jr. they will play on Sunday for a championship.
The Bolden Birmingham Stallions will face the Philadelphia Stars of Alexander at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, for the title, and closing the inaugural season of the restarted league.
Bolden came to the USFL after not being able to stay with an NFL team. He spent more than a year with the San Francisco 49ers and then joined the Buffalo Bills.
He was on the Detroit Lions roster for a few months before being released in August 2021.
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Birmingham Stallions wide receiver Victor Bolden Jr. (7), celebrated after a 19-yard touchdown reception against the New Orleans Breakers during a USFL game on April 30, 2022 at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama (Joe Robbins / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Stallions selected Bolden in the 13th round of the draft, and he became an All-USFL selection as a wide receiver and special teams player.
Alexander was selected by the Stars a few years after playing his last collegiate match. Alexander was a quarterback and a great receiver at Florida International, where he was a substitute quarterback for Alex McGough, who plays for the Stallions.
USFL STAR VICTOR BOLDEN JR. MILESTONE TOUCHDOWN TALKS, CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Philadelphia Stars wide receiver Maurice Alexander celebrates after returning an 87-yard point for the game’s winning touchdown during a USFL playoff game against the New Jersey Generals on June 25, 2022 at Tom Stadium Benson Hall of Fame of Canton, Ohio. (Joe Robbins / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
He made the most of his experience in the USFL, becoming an All-USFL selection as a point-taker.
Both players told Fox News Digital that they were grateful for their experience in the league.
“One thing I want to say is that the quality of football has been fantastic. We have guys who are very hungry trying to get to the next level, and you can see that in our game,” Bolden said. “The guys are playing really hard. The USFL did a good job of giving us this opportunity to show what we have.”
“We don’t have to go to Canada or the whole country and be so far away from your family. The quality of football is fantastic, and I think they did a great job preparing for this league with the support of Fox. I think it created stability with everyone in the same bubble. That also helped a lot. I’m very grateful for this opportunity. I’m glad I made the decision to play. “
Alexander said the USFL helped him overcome some of the struggles he has had over the past two years trying to make it as a football player.
L’ESTELLA DE LA USFL MAURICE ALEXANDER JR. REMEMBER THE TD RETURN FRONT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME TD
The USFL logo on a footballer during warm-ups before a game between the New Orleans Breakers and Michigan Panthers at the Protective Stadium on May 28, 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama (Patrick Smith / USFL / Getty Images)
“The USFL took a risk on me, and I’m grateful for that because, before my college senior, in 2019, I got hurt. Then in 2020, COVID hit. So it was a bit hard for me and I was grateful and looking forward to coming back and proving that my hard work is being put to use and that it is now bearing fruit, ”Alexander said.
“After two and a half years without playing and after going straight into it, now contributing as I am, this just showed that when I wasn’t playing, I was working, I kept focused, keeping faith in the man above and when I was presents the opportunity, I was here to run and move on. “
Bolden and Alexander made key plays that helped their teams win the title.
Bolden returned a kick for a touchdown against the New Orleans Breakers. Alexander had the winning point-return touchdown of the game against the New Jersey Generals.
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The Stallions and Stars play Sunday night at 7:30 ET on FOX.
Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to Ryan.Gaydos@fox.com.