“Believe First!” Michael Badejo Hopeful for XFL Shot

2023 is right around the corner, and the XFL is gearing up for its inaugural draft. XFL Chairwoman Dany Garcia & XFL Co-Owner Dwayne Johnson have always wanted to “shine the light” on athletes from HBCUs who “want to achieve greatness.” playing in the professional ranks. As a result, the XFL did their due diligence in the scouting process logistically, going where other leagues wouldn’t.

Their mission is to prove that professional football talent can be discovered in areas where athletes have been historically overlooked.

This league has created a platform that has allowed players like Michael Badejo to reach the next level of their playing careers.

Badejo played edge and linebacker his entire collegiate career at Texas Southern University. During his playing career at TSU, Badejo was a four-time ALL- SWAC selection and was named team captain for four seasons, compiling 10.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 100 total tackles.

Badejo previously signed a contract to play in the MLFB for the Arkansas Attack before the league ultimately postponed their 2022 season.

Despite a short delay in his professional debut, Badejo launched his clothing brand, “B1 Collection,” in January 2022. Badejo describes B1 as having a straightforward but “deep” meaning, “Believe first,” and for every shirt purchase, he places, “Everything happens for a reason” somewhere on the shirt. His goal for the brand is to motivate people in their everyday lives.

I’ve had the chance to personally interview Michael, and in our interview he talks about facing adversity early in his career and how it has helped him sustain the self-belief that is required to see his dreams come into fruition.

That is the type of belief you must possess when pursuing a career in professional football, and that is the type of passion and belief the XFL should want from its players. But, because of Badejo’s persistence, the good news is that he will receive his first shot at playing at the professional level once an XFL team drafts him. Badejo has spoken to a few teams days leading up to the XFL draft and has a real shot at seeing the field come 2023.