AJ McCarron just made a personally priceless decision for his family that’s cost him nearly four million dollars. This is a guy who has lived a charmed life. As someone who has lived in Alabama, you cannot do better than AJ. He was the star, Alabama state championship winning quarterback in high school. McCarron became the quarterback for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. He won two national championships. And he married “Miss Alabama.” Remember this moment?
AJ McCarron could have walked off into the sunset at that point and been an Alabama legend forever. He could have opened a car dealership, raised a family, never paid for a dinner or drink in a restaurant forever, etc. However, players want to play. AJ McCarron went to the NFL. And although he’s never been a starter, much less achieved the level of success he did in college, AJ’s had a financially successful life. He’s played six seasons and earned more than 15 million dollars as a backup quarterback for five different teams. McCarron made $4 million in his last season. He sat out the last two with injury but could have signed with another NFL team and continued as a career backup. However, players want to play.
AJ McCarron decided to sign a contract for $60,000 to play in the XFL. Play being the operative word and the impetus for this decision. McCarron told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “My 6-year-old loves watching tape of me on YouTube. That’s a big reason I chose to return this way. 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.”
"It's just fun to come out here and play. I've missed playing."
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 24, 2023
AJ McCarron is taking full advantage of another chance to play football again 👏 @XFL2023 I @XFLBattlehawks pic.twitter.com/vwHa4TeF8O
Oh, and if players just want to play, winners just win. AJ McCarron, the quarterback who won championships in high school and college, is 2-0 as the STARTING quarterback for the St. Louis Battlehawks.
List: NFL Players Who Played College Football In North Carolina
Appalachian State
- Akeen Davis- Gaither (Linebacker) Cincinnati Bengals
- Colby Gosset (Guard) Atlanta Falcons
- Shemar Jean-Charles (Cornerback) Green Bay Packers
- Sam Martin (Punter) Buffalo Bills
- Demetrius Taylor (Defensive End) Detriot Lions
- Jalen Virgil (Wide Receiver) Denver Broncos
Charlotte
- Alex Highsmith (Linebacker) Pittsburg Steelers
- Larry Ogunjobi (Defensive Tackle) Pittsburg Steelers
Duke
- Josh Blackwell (Cornerback) Chicago Bears
- Michael Carter II (Cornerback) New York Jets
- Jamison Crowder (Wide Receiver) Buffalo Bills
- Victor Dimukeje (Linebacker) Arizona Cardinals
- Noah Gray (Tight End) Kansas City Chiefs
- Devery Hamilton (Offensive Tackle) New York Giants
- Thomas Hennessy (Long Snapper) New York Jets
- Deon Jackson (Running Back) Indianapolis Colts
- Daniel Jones (Quarterback) New York Giants
- Lucas Patrick (Guard) Chicago Bears
- Chris Rumph II (Linebacker) Los Angeles Chargers
- Laken Tomlinson (Guard) New York Jets
East Carolina
- Zay Jones (Wide Receiver) Jacksonville Jaquars
- D’Ante Smith (Guard) Cincinnati Bengals
Elon
- Olisaemeka Udoh (Guard) Minnesota Vikings
Lenoir-Rhyne
- Kyle Dugger (Safety) New England Patriots
- Dareke Young (Wide Reciever) Seattle Seahawks
NC State
- Garrett Bradbury (Center) Minnesota Vikings
- Jacoby Brissett (Quarterback) Cleveland Browns
- Bradley Chubb (Linebacker) Denver Broncos
- AJ Cole (Punter) Las Vegas Raiders
- Ikem Ekwonu (Offensive Tackle) Carolina Panthers
- Trenton Gill (Punter) Chicago Bears
- BJ Hill (Defensive Tackle) Cincinnati Bengals
- Nyheim Hines (Running Back) Indianapolis Colts
- Josh Jones (Safety) Seattle Seahawks
- Justin Jones (Defensive Tackle) Chicago Bears
- Alim NcNeill (Defensive Tackle) Detroit Lions
- Jakobi Meyers (Wide Receiver) New England Patriots
- Germaine Pratt (Linebacker) Cincinnati Bengals
- James Smith-Williams (Defensive End) Washington Commanders
- Kentavius Street (Defensive Tackle) New Orleans Saints
- Joe Thuney (Guard) Kansas City Chiefs
- Russell Wilson (Quarterback) Denver Broncos
North Carolina
- Giovani Bernard (Running Back) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Dyami Brown (Wide Reciever) Washington Commanders
- Michael Carter (Running Back) New York Jets
- Ty Chandler (Running Back) Minnesota Vikings
- Joshua Ezeudu (Guard) New York Giants
- Tomon Fox (Linebacker) New York Giants
- Charlie Heck (Offensive Tackle) Houston Texans
- Cole Holcomb (Linebacker) Washington Commanders
- Mack Hollins (Wide Reciever) Las Vegas Raiders
- Sam Howell (Quarterback) Washington Commanders
- James Hurst (Offensive Tackle) New Orleans Saints
- Robert Quinn (Linebacker) Chicago Bears
- M.J. Stewart (Safety) Houston Texans
- Mitch Trubisky (Quarterback) Pittsburgh Steelers
- Antonio Williams (Running Back) New York Giants
- Javonte Williams (Running Back) Denver Broncos
North Carolina A&T
- Darryl Jonson (Defensive End) Seattle Seahawks
Wake Forest
- Boogie Basham (Defensive End) Buffalo Bills
- Essang Bassey (Cornerback) Denver Broncos
- Jessie Bates III (Safety) Cincinnati Bengals
- Greg Dortch (Wide Reciever) Arizona Cardinals
- Phil Haynes (Guard) Seattle Seahawks
- Justin Herron (Offensive Tackle) New England Patriots
- Luke Masterson (Linebacker) Las Vegas Raiders
- Justin Strnad (Linebacker) Denver Broncos
- Ja’Sir Taylor (Cornerback) Los Angeles Chargers
- Zach Tom (Guard) Green Bay Packers
- Luiji Vilain (Linebacker) Minnesota Vikings
- John Wolford (Quarterback) Los Angeles Rams
