CLEVELAND — A local Facebook group that was started just a few days ago in support of the XFL’s DC Defenders already has more than 100 followers, which is maybe the most Cleveland thing ever, considering the team has played all of one game.
Starved for pro football now that the Super Bowl is over, a group of local fans has thrown support behind the Defenders, who are led by former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones. The Defenders also have former Buckeyes Doran Grant and Tracy Sprinkle on the roster. Full disclosure: the Northeast Ohio DC Defenders Backers Club was co-founded by News 5 employee Greg Miller, a senior account executive on our sales team, and it can't be said that he doesn't have a sense of humor.
The Defenders won their first game last weekend 31-19 against the Seattle Dragons, by far the biggest win in franchise history, thanks to Jones, who threw two touchdown passes.
The Northeast Ohio DC Defenders Backers Club already has a mascot, a French bulldog named “Stagger,” and members are trying to figure out who the team’s most hated rival is. Right now, the frontrunner is New York. Speaking of which…
The Defenders (1-0) play on Saturday against the New York Guardians (1-0) at 2 p.m. on News 5. Tune in to watch this epic battle between the two winningest teams in XFL history.
