Arlington Renegades Linebacker Donald Payne Ready to Hype Team Up for Another Title Run
Since 2022, there hasn’t been a linebacker in spring football who has been as good as Donald Payne. Payne played in the USFL and XFL at a high level, resulting in his return to the UFL in 2024.
His NFL career began in 2017 with the Jacksonville Jaguars where he spent three seasons. He finished with 76 tackles, one sack, two fumble recoveries and one pass deflection. Spring football provides a chance for Payne and other players in the UFL to continue their football careers.
“So, everybody comes to these leagues, to this league specifically for a few things. Some people want to extend their career. I played in the NFL five years, and this was a chance for me to continue playing football. Some people didn't get that chance to play in the NFL yet, so they're here to get their first step in the door of playing pro football and to move forward to get to that level. So, you always want to be a team player first, but also in the back of your mind, ‘Hey, I'm doing this for a reason.’ What is your why? Why are you out here doing? My why is playing football. If I get to that next level, you know, God willing, if not, you know, I'm gonna keep whipping butt in this league as long as I can.”
As soon as Payne joined the Houston Gamblers in the USFL in 2022, he was an instant star. He racked up 117 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions as one of the starting linebackers on the team, earning an All-USFL selection.
The next year, Payne was selected by the Renegades in the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft. Payne started eight games, making 61 tackles, half of a sack and one interception before suffering what was feared to be a season-ending injury. A dramatic tweet the day before the South Division Championship saw the return of Payne for the two playoff games, leading to an XFL title for the Renegades.
While many see Payne as the catalyst to the defense, he only wants to set the right example of what a championship-caliber team looks like.
“I wouldn't say necessarily lead the defense of that but lead by example. I've had an opportunity play at a high level, and I'm back here now as, hey, look, middle linebacker, go out, make plays. Make sure I know the calls. Make sure we all in the same accord. Hey, and look, let's hype those guys up. I like being the hype man, and so I don't need a hype man for myself. I hype the team up.”
Even approaching 30 years old, Payne is still playing at a high level that showcases that he is one of the best defensive players in the UFL. That drive to play for the love of football and to win are motivational pieces to Payne’s game.
“I think for me right now, it's a love of the game. I love being out here. I love the camaraderie. There's nothing like a pro football locker room. You got all these diverse people, all from different walks of life, and we coming together for one common goal, which is to win. And that's what we did last year.”
Observations from Arlington Renegades' First UFL Open Practice: Offense
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Anthony Miller has been covering professional spring football since 2019 including XFL, USFL, and CFL. He was a local news reporter in Texas before transitioning to sports. Other sites he writes for includes College Football Network and NTZ Network.