A number of players who used to be members of the Minnesota Vikings will be taking the field this weekend in the Alliance of American Football.
Playing in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings or any other team is a dream that very few people are able to achieve in their lifetime. In fact, less than one percent of high school seniors who play football actually end up hearing their name called a few years later during the NFL Draft.
For those who are unable to keep a spot on an NFL team, there haven’t been many other legitimate options to turn to for those who would still like to continue a career in professional football. At least until recently.
On Saturday, the inaugural matchups of the Alliance of American Football will take place around the United States. This new professional football league consists of eight teams from around the country and their first season will run from Saturday until April 27.
The AAF features a number of former NFL players, including some that once had the opportunity to suit up for the Vikings.
Four teams from the new league will be kicking off their season on Saturday as the San Diego Fleet will be taking on the San Antonio Commanders and the Atlanta Legends are set to face the Orlando Apollos.
Both games will feature handful of former Minnesota players including defensive back Kendall James (San Diego), running back Bishop Sankey (San Diego), long snapper Jeff Overbaugh (Atlanta), quarterback Peter Pujols (Atlanta), linebacker Brandon Watts (Atlanta), and wide receiver Charles Johnson (Orlando).
The AAF’s four remaining teams will play on Sunday with the Memphis Express facing the Birmingham Iron and the Salt Lake Stallions taking on the Arizona Hotshots.
Even more former Vikings players will be participating in these two matchups including defensive back Jack Tocho (Birmingham), running back Matt Asiata (Salt Lake), wide receiver Jordan Leslie (Salt Lake), running back Terrell Newby (Salt Lake), defensive tackle Chunky Clements (Arizona), punter Jeff Locke (Arizona), running back Jhurell Pressley (Arizona), linebacker Edmund Robinson (Arizona), and defensive tackle Will Sutton (Arizona).
A few of Minnesota’s former assistant coaches will also be on the sidelines this weekend including Martin Bayless (Birmingham), Ted Cottrell (Birmingham), and Mike Singletary (Memphis).
While the quality of play in the AAF won’t be as high as it is in the NFL, it will still be nice to watch some professional football with some familiar faces over these next few months.