Sports Illustrated’s Dan Greene wrote an in-depth feature on XFL Commissioner and CEO Oliver Luck. Many topics of the XFL are covered, and it is worth a read for any XFL fan.
Luck has stated in the past that quarterbacks are the top dogs in the XFL. That quarterback play is critical to the success of the league. The names of Tim Tebow, Colin Kaepernick and Johnny Manziel came up. Here is what Luck had to say about each.
Luck On Tim Tebow
Luck and Tebow and a chance run-in at the Clemson-Alabama national title game back in January. Luck said he informally gauged the 31-year-old’s interest in playing football again, but Tebow reaffirmed his commitment to playing baseball.
Tim Tebow is currently with the New York Mets as a left fielder for its Triple-A team in Syracuse. As of this writing, he has a slash line of .131/.198/.179, 0 home runs, 9 RBI and 34 strikeouts. Not a good sign for a 31-year-old trying to make it to the majors. He batted .273 with 6 home runs, 36 RBI and 103 strikeouts in 2018 for the Mets Double-A team.
Luck On Colin Kaepernick
Former 49er’s QB Colin Kaepernick was on Luck’s list of possible XFL quarterbacks. He reached out to Kaepernick’s agent and was told the QB wanted $20 million to play in the XFL. “That’s a little bit out of our range,” Luck said.
Luck On Johnny Manziel
Luck previously said he was unsure whether the XFL would welcome Johnny Manziel, but it was more of a coaches decision than anything else. Manziel recently played two games for the AAF’s Memphis Express before the league folded. Given his off the field problems and unknown drama as to why he was kicked out the CFL. Luck told Sports Illustrated he has “softened McMahon’s original hard-line stance” when it comes to off the field issues. The policy now excludes any player for credible accusations of felonies and domestic violence.
Can the XFL thrive without one of these big names? Does the league need big name players to gain a fan base? Leave a comment below.
rusty kay
May 17, 2019 at 6:31 pm
Bring in Kap! Forget the hate and play football. The guy has the talent to be in the NFL, period.
Lee
May 18, 2019 at 9:28 pm
Really? Then why was he a backup when he got cut?
Kt49er
October 12, 2019 at 4:14 am
False. But facts probably aren’t important to you.
Lawrence E Stacy
May 19, 2019 at 9:16 am
Maybe if he was not asking for 20 million when he can not cut it in the NFL. If he truly wants to play and prove how good he is then he would play for the same price as others in the XFL. Then he could demand some actual money in the future.I think he is scared to try because he will prove he is not good enough.
Kt49er
October 12, 2019 at 4:11 am
Kaepernick would run and pass his way through the XFL. Then the argument would be that he did it against lesser competition.The false patriots and bigots will always have a lame argument to excuse why he is being blackballed.
Stuey
December 31, 2019 at 11:42 am
Hi Colin. I hope you get a chance in the XFL, but thinking that your worth 20 M kind of says a lot about your mental state.
43ger
May 27, 2019 at 8:09 pm
I’d like to see Kap.
ger453
May 27, 2019 at 8:18 pm
A fresh, rested Kaepernick. Can anyone say Vince Lombardi Trophy?
Oscar Pearson
June 3, 2019 at 3:26 pm
BS
Steve dellechiaie
May 17, 2019 at 6:35 pm
They need quarterbacks that are going to win,they don’t need big names,if the quarterbacks win the fans will come
Du-wonn Reuben
May 17, 2019 at 7:50 pm
Sign all 3
CharlesGuy
May 18, 2019 at 6:43 pm
Tebow and Kaepernick yes cause there was no reason why these two should not be in the NFL, the only reason they ain’t is cause they stand for something.
Lee
May 18, 2019 at 9:30 pm
Neither one has the talent to start in the NFL. Kap was a backup when he was cut.
Kt49er
October 12, 2019 at 4:20 am
Quit spreading that lie. If you did any homework you would find the truth.
Pj
May 19, 2019 at 5:23 am
K is a ao no dam good 4 anyone period
Brian Bontrager
August 13, 2019 at 4:04 pm
Kaepernick was good for a stretch of time in the NFL and there’s nothing to say he won’t be good again maybe not NFL good but certainly good enough to play in a fledgling league of what will almost certainly be 2nd tier talent.
Robby Johnson
May 18, 2019 at 7:12 pm
Why get noted for someone’s else’s drama. The XFL will have problems of it’s own. Why bring in someone else’s? I’m just saying
John Whalen
May 18, 2019 at 7:53 pm
I want Manziel playing – anywhere. I love watching him. He is a heck of a competitor A razzle-dazzle, make it happen QB.
Andrea Deamon
May 18, 2019 at 11:01 pm
I agree. Love Johnny football. (Think I’m the only clevelander that does)
Annette Kotynia
May 18, 2019 at 11:09 pm
The XFL won’t make it with or without them…
Lawrence E Stacy
May 19, 2019 at 9:19 am
Johnny should be given a chance. He has keep himself pretty straight and the only reason the CFL let him go was because he was required to see a therapist every week and missed a session. Probably on purpose so he could go to the AAF. He has talent and if taught and given a chance could do pretty good and maybe be backup level in the NFL or better for the right team.
Mark Malamisura
May 20, 2019 at 6:20 am
i agree with the comment that the XFL just needs QBs that win. it doesn’t need any of those three to attract fans. People just want to see good football competition without the drama the “big names” bring to the filed. if the NAL and the IFL can make it without these three, so can the XFL; just bring great play with a good fan experience.
Nate
May 21, 2019 at 7:12 am
No one’s going to pay Kap 20 miles for anything. Tebow doesn’t need XFL for money. He can get hosting jobs all over. Manuel doesn’t need football he needs rehab.
Michael smith
May 21, 2019 at 11:38 am
I agree I want some Johnny Football . IN HOUSTON
John Sappington
May 26, 2019 at 7:32 pm
Bring on Johnny. He will always be one of the best college QB’s in History. No one can take that away. Talent wise he already he best tale t at QB in XFL if he plays Go Johnny Go Go gig’em John S class of 84
Benny
May 27, 2019 at 1:15 pm
They would have tremendous success if they invested in these guys forsure. I’d watch the XFL to see them play!!
Dan Johnson
May 28, 2019 at 2:48 pm
Go get Luis Perez !! Hopefully in Dallas.
Brent
July 10, 2019 at 8:22 am
The XFL could really use Manziel – this should happen. I agree winning QB’s are what’s important in the long run. But the XFL is going to want to drum up initial interest and keep the XFL in the news. I guarantee you, whatever Johnny signs, there is your number 1 selling jersey. Until someone else can prove that they’re the star, but that could take years
Mike
August 7, 2019 at 2:21 pm
A big H*ll NO! to the Kaepernick creature. What the H were you thinking Oliver? If that despicable SOB gets anywhere near the league you may as well not even give it a go; just declare bk now and get it over with as you will kill viewership for at least 70% of the country.
Mitchell
August 7, 2019 at 2:48 pm
Even considering a person as paralyzingly hateful on a national scale as Kaepernick is beyond astonishing if indeed Oliver even was? If true he were to be signed he would immediately at least halve the prospective XFL viewership audience (and that is being being overly generous) Not a bright move (understatement of the decade) for a start-up that realistically/historically begins life with an extremely low chance of survival from the get-go…
swiper
August 23, 2019 at 6:40 pm
2 carry trouble with them. Tebow wants to play baseball. I don’t think a brand new league wants that kind of attention to start with.
Raymond c Delay
October 12, 2019 at 3:40 am
This crap will fold just like the aaf. Go Raiders