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.