D.J. Swearinger set to play for XFL Championship tonight
Just over a month after signing with the D.C. Defenders of the XFL, former South Carolina Gamecock D.J. Swearinger will be playing for a title on Saturday night.
The Defenders are set to play the Arlington Renegades in the XFL Championship Game in San Antonio, TX. The game will air on ABC at 8 p.m.
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After inking a deal with D.C. on April 5, Swearinger made his XFL debut on April 9. It marked the first time that he appeared in a professional football game since December of 2020 with the New Orleans Saints. A week later, he made his biggest XFL play to date when he returned a 62-yard interception back for a touchdown. The interception was his first since 2018 with the then known as Washington Redskins.
In just four XFL games played, Swearinger has racked up 15 tackles to go along with his lone interception. He’s also seen a bigger role with the Defenders each week, who have owned the best record in the league for the majority of the season.
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While it’s not clear as to what the future holds for the 31-year-old, he’s been doing his best to enjoy this journey. The opportunity to play football again has been extra special this time around because he’s been able to share it with his son. “My son say he want me to play football again,” Swearinger posted on social media back in March. “I told em I (want to) play too. XFL hit me up saying they need me.”
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For those not as familiar with the XFL, the DC Defenders are one of eight teams in the recently resurrected professional spring league. The league consist of many former NFL and CFL (Canadian Football League) players as well as former college players.
In 110 career NFL games, the former Gamecock complied 425 career tackles, 4.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 43 pass breakups, and 14 interceptions. He also started in 73 of those games.
