James Minzesheimer
After losing the Rams franchise in 2015, the football-hungry city of St. Louis has become ecstatic and dedicated to their XFL team, the BattleHawks.
The team is now 3-1 after a strong win against the Seattle Dragons, holding a spot at the top of the XFL East standings. Leading the BattleHawks’ unexpected charge has been former Ole Miss quarterback Jordan Ta’amu.
Ta’amu went 20-27 passing with 264 yards in the win on Saturday and also threw a touchdown while making some electrifying plays.
Ta’amu’s family was in attendance for the second time this XFL season. The former Rebel said he performs better when his family is in attendance.
“My mom, dad and (my 13-year-old) little sister, they all came all the way from Hawaii. They came to my first game in Dallas, and they were saying they wanted to come to more games, and this is their first time in St. Louis,” he said after the game. “Just having them in the stands and watching meant a lot to me. It was just huge seeing them in the stands before the game.”
Although there were some shaky throws in the game, Ta’amu escaped without throwing an interception and fought to throw the ball while getting hit.
The BattleHawks will face the DC Defenders with former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones, and what — on paper — seems to be the strongest XFL roster on Sunday.
Ta’amu has been in the running for the XFL passing leader this season, grabbing it briefly on Saturday before Landry Jones of the Houston Roughnecks threw for 205 yards on Sunday.
Ta’amu isn’t the only former Rebel making impact plays in the XFL. Linebacker Demarquis Gates was able to come up with the game-sealing interception for the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday.
It has still been difficult for fans to figure out what to make of the XFL — is it an NFL alternative or something completely different? So far, the XFL has blurred that line enough to attract fans of all kinds; there has been enough solid football and crazy antics to quench every type of fans’ thirst.
Although each team has built a fanbase, it seems things are wildly different in St. Louis as they lack an NFL franchise. BattleHawks home games have appeared to have a loud and vibrant environment in the young season.
So far the former Rebel has made a name for himself, and, if he keeps this play up, there is a possibility he could get a second chance at the NFL after being cut from the Texans last summer.
