The XFL Connections of Super Bowl LV

The stage is set for Super Bowl LV, with the Kansas City Chiefs battling the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on February 7 after their respective triumphs on Sunday. Kansas City is seeking their second consecutive title, while Tampa Bay has reached their first Super Bowl in 18 years through efforts headlined by Tom Brady, who will make his 10th appearance in the game.

A few familiar faces lingering from both versions of the XFL will appear in the big game…

Kansas City Chiefs

RB Coach Deland McCullough
After two seasons in both the NFL and CFL, McCullough spent some brief time on the roster of the Chicago Enforcers during the XFL’s original iteration in 2001. The Miami University alum previously worked at his alma mater, as well as Indiana and USC before getting the NFL call in 2018.

QB Jordan Ta’amu
The St. Louis superstar (101.3 passer rating with the Battlehawks) has been in and out of the Chiefs’ system all year, most recently on their practice squad leading up to their Divisional tilt against Cleveland. Ta’amu has since been released but was signed to a reserve/future contract and will potentially compete for Kansas City’s backup job next season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Raymond James Stadium
For the second consecutive February, “Ray Jay” will host football in February, having previously housed the XFL’s Vipers. The neon green Tampa franchise split its pair of games on the Dale Mabry Highway, which included a 25-0 shutout victory over D.C. This will be the fifth Super Bowl set in Tampa, which also hosted the 18th, 25th, 35th, and 43rd editions (the former-most pair at since-demolished Tampa Stadium).

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags