Former St. Louis Battlehawk Passes Away
In 2020 Brian Wallace got a huge break in terms of his professional football career when the XFL relaunched after nearly 20 years defunct. Vince McMahon was back at the helm, and making promises about what the XFL would be. What the XFL did accomplish, that no one can deny, is put players like Brian Wallace on a large stage. Many former XFL players find themselves playing in other leagues now, and Wallace was one of that group who had hoped to parlay his time with the St. Louis Battlehawks into something great in his future. Whether that was a chance at the NFL level, or just a long-term career on the field, remained to be seen.
Brian Wallace was just 24 when he played in the XFL, he had his entire career still ahead of him. However just two years removed from his XFL career, and just precluding the XFL 3.0, Brian Wallace has passed away at the young age of 26.
Wallace was a former 4 star high school recruit that made his way to the Arkansas Razorbacks in 2014. He was ranked as the top overall prospect in the state of Missouri at the time. 24-7 sports ranked him as the 2nd best tackle in the nation, while Espn.com and Rivals both ranked him 9th. He received countless offers ranging from Nebraska, to Iowa, and Georgia. Ultimately he chose Arkansas and joined the Razorbacks as a redshirt freshman in 2014.
During his 4 years on the field he would appear in 38 games starting 29 of the games. He primarily played right tackle, but occasionally was used at other positions when needed. He would seize the starting job midway through his junior year by being penalized just 3 times in 7 starts and a total of 11 games. By his senior season, he was a full-time starter for head coach Chad Morris. Morris had been hired following a six season stint by Brett Bielema, who Wallace had been recruited by, and played his entire career for.
After his redshirt senior season he declared for the NFL draft in 2019. He was hoping to hear his name called but ultimately went undrafted and originally landed with the Denver Broncos. He didn’t stick for long, before playing briefly with the Seattle Seahawks.
It wasn’t until 2020 the former undrafted free agent truly got a chance to play when he signed with the XFL’s New York Guardians. However he wouldn’t last long in New York because he was traded to his hometown team the St. Louis Battlehawks.
This trade must have been particularly sweet for the St. Louis native. He stuck with the Battlehawks for the entire 5 game stint of the XFL, before watching as covid shut down the league.
Wallace then kept his focus on football, but also began helping teach the youths of the game how to play according to his family. He was a man that was very well liked by former teammates, and coaches who immediately began a huge show of support the moment they learned about what had happened to Brian.
Brian had been suffering breathing issues last Monday at his job. He sought medical treatment at the hospital, where he would collapse due to a heart attack. He stopped breathing, but medical professionals were able to restore his breathing. That’s when he suffered a second heart attack, this time it took machines to keep him breathing. At this point it was clear to the doctors, that Wallace had simply suffered too much damage to his brain from a lack of oxygen during the heart attacks.
At this point he was in a coma, attached to machines to survive. A 6’6 320 pound lineman once touted as a 4star athlete was lying on a bed fighting for his life following tasks he probably thought were tedious at best given his past as a D1 college athlete, and professional football player.
The former lineman who got to represent his home city in the XFL 2.0, ultimately would pass away. The 26 year old achieved so much in such a short time, and more ahead of him. A man loved by many friends, family, coaches, and teachers alike leaves behind a legacy unwritten. My condolences go out to everyone who was close to Brian, we as fans of his as a player could never imagine your loss, but we all mourn the loss of Brian Wallace.
I’m sad to get the news of my former college teammate Brian Wallace passing away. I pray for peace for his Mom and loved ones ❤️— Jonathan Williams (@Jwillpart2) April 15, 2022
Written by @SamShadySports, please check out my other content and sponsors at the links below. I produce content involving most teams, and several different leagues so stay tuned for the latest news about your team.
