The MLFB has made multiple major announcements recently. From coaches, to cities, and the schedule of when the opening kickoff is set to take place, it actually appears that the MLFB is going to happen. However, despite all the random updates via twitter what has been in question is who is actually going to play in this league. Well, per multiple sources and including himself, Connor Kaegi is the first player to sign with the MLFB specifically with the Ohio Force.
Kaegi joins the MLFB via the NAIA school Ottawa University where he was the starter in 2018 and 2019, earning multiple accolades while there. While at Ottawa Kaegi threw for 4,595 yards 51 TDs and just 16 Ints. Despite his success in college Kaegi would go undrafted in the 2020, and sign with the Spring League for the fall 2020 Season. He would find even more success in the 2021 Spring League where he earned the starting job over FCF QB Deondre Francois and XFL alum Nick Fitzgerald.
Kaegi would throw for 492 yards 3 TDs and 1 Int while playing in the Spring League for the “Blues” and would translate that success into an NAL contract with the Jacksonville Sharks. Kaegi would finish the 2021 with the Sharks in hopes of catching on with the USFL in 2022, however 8 weeks into the season the USFL has yet to call. With Kaegi still wanting an opportunity to play football and coming from a smaller school it was obvious that the MLFB was his best chance to continue to garner an opportunity at the professional level.
Though there has been much mystery and confusion behind the MLFB, the recent weeks have attempted to establish some clarity. With the announcement of Kaegi joining the league and games being confirmed it does appear that the MLFB will become a legitimate entity in professional sports. As we’ve seen Alt-league football continues to explode throughout the last couple years, and with that many young men have been able to extend their pro careers because of these leagues. Whether or not MLFB can stick around or not, either way football fans will be once again treated to another source of Alt-league football in 2022.
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Pat Rifino is a former Security Contractor turned writer. He began his writing career talking about geo-politics, and the defense industry. Now Pat writes about alt-league football, while hanging with his dogs in his off time.