Throwback Thursday? AJ McCarron, Memphis Showboats Both Back: All Things CW

The former Alabama quarterback and the USFL franchise are both returning to football, albeit in separate pro leagues.

The All Things CW notes column by Christopher Walsh will appear in five parts this week, one each day as the Alabama Crimson Tide prepares to host Austin Peay.

This is ...

Take 3

We interrupt the playoff chase to do a little throwback talk, as both a former Alabama quarterback and a professional franchise that many Alabama Crimson Tide fans were familiar with have re-emerged in the football world. 

We'll start with the player.

Dwayne Johnson has been saying “Don’t call it a comeback” for the XFL, but that's exactly what AJ McCarron is trying to do in the XFL 3.0, which is set to return shortly after the Super Bowl is played.

Earlier this week, McCarron was drafted by the St. Louis Battlehawks, where he will compete with former Virginia Tech quarterback Ryan Willis to be the starting quarterback. 

McCarron is 32. The three-year starter at Alabama from 2011-13 was selected in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft and spent four seasons as a backup with the Cincinnati Bengals. He's also had a cup of coffee with the Bills, Raiders, Texans and Falcons.  

For his NFL career, McCarron's played in 17 games and completed 109 of 174 attempts for 1,173 yards, with six touchdowns and no interceptions.  

However, he hasn't played in the NFL since Aug. 21, 2021, when he tore the ACL in his right knee during a Falcons preseason game.

"AJ brings us a championship pedigree," Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht said. "He has seven years of NFL experience as a starting and backup quarterback. Unfortunately, A.J. battled through several injuries during that time which limited him from playing additional games. 

"I feel like his time is now. A.J. will bring a very high football IQ, great leadership qualities, and invaluable experience to the St. Louis Battlehawks team."

A lot of times when quarterbacks feel like they never really got a chance to really show what they can do in the NFL there's a lingering "What if?" itch that never seems to go away. Here's hoping that at minimum McCarron can scratch it. 

Also selected this week were offensive lineman Chris Owens by the Seattle Sea Dragons and defensive lineman Joshua Frazier by the Orlando Guardians. 

The draft was primarily done by positions, so it didn't follow the traditional round-by-round process. Players who participated in the USFL last year remain under contract to that league, so were not available. 

Speaking of the USFL, the Memphis Showboats have officially risen and will again play at Liberty Stadium. The  league announced the inaugural game will be played on April 16, 2023.

“We’re home,” USFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Daryl Johnston said when making the announcement. 

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After the then eight-team league played nearly every game of the 2022 season in Birmingham, Memphis is the first addition to the league. Or should we say re-addition.

Of course the original Showboats entered the USFL in 1984 and made the playoffs in 1985. The two names that stood out on the roster were sack king Reggie White and, ironically, future professional wrestler Lex Luger.

The initial owner was Crimson Tide booster Logan Young, who, in 2005, was found guilty in federal court of conspiracy to commit racketeering, crossing state lines to commit racketeering, and arranging bank withdrawals to cover up a crime in regards to a recruiting scandal.

He died at home in 2006 while appealing the conviction. Local officials ruled that he bled out after hitting his head at the end of a fall on his staircase, while on a blood-thinner medication. 

One can't help but believe he'd be thrilled to see the Showboats back on the field. 

See Also:

Take 1: Did Alabama Play The Road Schedule From Hell?

Take 2: Why Strength of Schedule is Alabama's Biggest Playoff Asset

GameDay Edition of All Things CW: Alabama at Ole Miss

Want tickets to see the Crimson Tide or other teams? Check out SI Tickets.

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