With the new year comes new beginnings. For one pro golfer that means a new job, for some former NFL players that means a new sport, and for some pro football players that means a new league.
Web.com Tour player Kyle Thompson, one of the winningest players in the tour’s history, has decided to trade in his golf clubs for a position with an insurance agency. Unfortunately, his success on the Web.com Tour never carried over to the PGA Tour during his 17-year pro career. This past season was his third attempt on the PGA Tour, but he missed the cut in 20 of 22 tour events he entered, and made only $24,878.
In order to make a living and provide for his family, Thompson decided he’d leave golf, for now. That must have been a difficult decision to give up his dream, but very admirable, and a decision many of us have had to make in our lives.
NEW SPORT
Jared Allen, the former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman, mentioned to hockey Hall of Famer Lou Nanne, over dinner, that he was looking to get into curling. Nanne talked about this on a radio talk show, and the next thing you know, former Olympic curling team member John Benton was helping Allen and his team learn the sport.
Allen recruited three former NFL players; quarterback Marc Bulger, linebacker Keith Bulluck, and offensive tackle Michael Roos. The four Pro Bowlers are now a professional curling team, with Benton as the alternate and coach.
Curling may look like a sport that anyone can enjoy and be good at, but I know from experience, this isn’t the case. Being able to slide on the ice, while squatting with one leg extended behind you, keeping your balance and releasing a 40-pound curling rock toward the target at just the right speed – is far from being a simple task. I gave it a try, once, at the Oilers Ice Center and found out immediately that it was a lot more difficult than it looks.
Team Allen began by entering recreational bonspiels; trying to keep a low profile. They didn’t want anyone to think they weren’t serious about this sport. In November, Allen’s team competed at the Curl Mesabi Classic where they didn’t win a game, but came close in a couple. They also had the unenviable task of playing Olympic gold-medalist John Shuster’s team in their first match, losing 11-3.
They have a long way to go, however, it will be fun to watch how this team progresses and if they indeed qualify for the 2022 Winter Games.
NEW LEAGUE
For aspiring professional football players, there’s the new Alliance of American Football league which will begin play on February 9. This league doesn’t plan on competing with the NFL, but rather be a sort of minor league, developing players that are just on the bubble of making an NFL roster.
The league was founded by filmmaker Charlie Ebersol and former NFL executive Bill Polian. Each player has signed a three-year contract worth $250,000, with performance-based and fan interaction incentives allowing for players to earn more.
The AAF has eight teams, mostly based in the southern part of the U.S. Here’s a list of the teams and their head coaches; Atlanta Legends (Brad Childress), Birmingham Iron (Tim Lewis), Orlando Apollos (Steve Spurrier), Memphis Express (Mike Singletary), San Antonio Commanders (Mike Riley), Salt Lake Stallions (Dennis Erickson), Arizona Hotshots (Rick Neuheisel), and San Diego Fleet (Mike Martz).
Each team will play a 10-game schedule, with two games on Saturdays and two on Sundays. The AAF games will air on CBS and CBS Sports Network. There will be a four-team playoff and the championship game is scheduled to be played at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, the weekend of April 26–28.