The XFL was a professional American football league that played its only season in 2001. The XFL was operated as a joint venture between the World Wrestling Federation and NBC. The XFL was conceived as an outdoor football league that would begin play immediately after the National Football League (NFL) season ended, to take advantage of the perceived lingering public desire to watch football after the NFL and college football seasons conclude. It was promoted as having fewer rules to encourage rougher play than other major leagues, while its telecasts featured sports entertainment elements inspired by professional wrestling, including heat and kayfabe, and suggestively-dressed cheerleaders. Commentary crews also featured WWF commentators joined by sportscasters and veteran football players. Despite the wrestling influence, the games and their outcomes were legitimate and not based on scripted storylines.
Torrold DeShaun "Rod" Smart is a former professional American football running back. He played college football for Western Kentucky. He was originally signed by the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent after the 2000 NFL draft.
Roderick Kevin Woodson is an American former professional football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. Widely considered one of the greatest cornerbacks of all time, Woodson holds the NFL record for fumble recoveries (32) by a defensive player, and interceptions returned for touchdown (12). He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1993.
Carl McNally Pickens is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans. He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers, earning first-team All-American honors in 1991.
Joseph Eugene Porter Sr. is an American professional football coach and former player. He played as a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Colorado State Rams and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Porter won Super Bowl XL with the Steelers and was also a member of the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals. The Steelers drafted his son, Joey Porter Jr., with the thirty-second overall selection of the 2023 NFL draft.
Az-Zahir Ali Hakim is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs. He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL draft. He also was a member of the Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, and Las Vegas Locomotives.
Douglas Terrell Buckley is an American football coach and former player. He played as a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles, earning unanimous All-American honors in 1991.
Nicholas John Harris is an American former professional football player who was a punter in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears, setting the NCAA record for career punting yardage and earning consensus All-American honors. The Denver Broncos chose him in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL draft, and he has played professionally for the Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Carolina Panthers of the NFL.
Reginald "Reggie" Terrell Swinton is a former American football wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals. He played college football at Murray State University.
Lamont Darnell Thompson is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington State Cougars and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft. He also played for the Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Reggie Devon Barlow is a former American football player and coach who is currently the head coach for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). Barlow served as the head football coach at Alabama State University from 2007 to 2014 and at Virginia State University from 2016 to 2021. He played professionally as wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons, five for the Jacksonville Jaguars, two for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and one with the Oakland Raiders. He was used as a secondary wide receiver and punt returner. In 1997, Barlow led the NFL in punt return yards with 555 yards on 43 returns.
Leobardo Jaime Araguz is a former American football punter in the National Football League (NFL) for the Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Seattle Seahawks. He also was a member of the Rhein Fire, New York/New Jersey Hitmen and Rio Grande Valley Sol. He played college football at Stephen F. Austin State University.
Aaron Duane Bailey is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver and return specialist for five seasons with the Indianapolis Colts in the National Football League (NFL). Bailey later played for one season in the XFL (2001) and six seasons in the Arena Football League (2001–2006). He played college football at Louisville.
Jordan Shipley is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Shipley played college football for the Texas Longhorns, receiving consensus All-American recognition in 2009. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft, and also played in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Corey Franklyn Sawyer is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for six seasons in the National Football League (NFL) during the 1990s. He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles, earning consensus All-American honors in 1993. He played professionally for the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets of the NFL, the Memphis Maniax of the XFL, and the Tampa Bay Storm and Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League (AFL).
Edward Lynn Johnson is an American former professional football punter. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL draft. He played college football at Idaho State.
Pharoh Cooper is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks, and was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants.
Eli Lamar Rogers is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2015.
Levonte "Kermit" Whitfield is a former American football wide receiver and return specialist. He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles.
Saivion Smith is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at the University of Alabama.
