After spending six seasons in the NFL as a regular backup quarterback for four different franchises, AJ McCarron decided to choose happiness over money.
The former Alabama star wanted to play football, but in order to do that, he had to take his talents to another league. That team would be the St. Lous Battlehwawks of the XFL.
McCarron is good enough to be a backup on any NFL team, but it wouldn’t present him with the chance to get on the field unless injuries happened. The 32-year-old made the right decision for all the right reasons.
McCarron is two starts into his XFL career and is 2-for-2 in making memories for his family. That is why he chose the XFL over the NFL.
“My 6-year-old loves watching tape of me on YouTube. That’s a big reason I chose to return this way,” McCarron told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “I probably could’ve tried to come back with an NFL team and had a chance to probably made bigger money, but no one knows what the future holds. I’m enjoying this and it’s a great way to create some memories for me and my boys.”
McCarron received praise from XFL owner Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson on Friday because of his decision to leave the NFL to pursue a career where he could “create memories” with his two young boys.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral UFL stories via Google! Follow Us
“Takes less money signing with us over the NFL because he wanted his little boys to see him play,” Johnson said.
“Now he’s 2-0 and led his team to back-to-back exciting last minute wins. I’d say he’s creating some memories for his boys. AJ’s decision means a helluva lot to me, personally.”
McCarron served as backup quarterback to teams including the Atlanta Falcons, the Houston Texans and the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Battlehawks defeated the Seattle Sea Dragons on Thursday night, 20-18, after McCarron led his team to a fourth quarter comeback. He completed 22 passes for 184 yards and one touchdown in that game. He also rushed for 41 yards and another score on the ground.
