Birmingham Stallions (2022) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Birmingham Stallions |
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 Current season |
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| Established November 22, 2021 Play in Protective Stadium (Birmingham, Alabama) |
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United States Football League (2022–2023)
United Football League (2024–present)
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Current uniform
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| Team colors | Red, gold, white |
| Personnel | |
| Owner(s) | Fox Corporation (50%), Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, RedBird Capital Partners (50%) |
| Head coach | Skip Holtz |
| Team history | |
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| Championships | |
League championships (3)
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Conference championships (1)
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Division championships (2)
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| Playoff appearances (3) | |
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| Home stadium(s) | |
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The Birmingham Stallions are a professional American football team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The Stallions compete in the United Football League (UFL). The Stallions are owned and operated by Dwayne Johnson's Alpha Acquico and Fox Corporation. They play their home games at Protective Stadium. They have won three championships since their founding, winning three consecutive titles between the USFL and UFL starting in 2022. They defeated the Philadelphia Stars 33–30 in 2022, the Pittsburgh Maulers 28–12 in 2023, and the San Antonio Brahmas 25–0 in 2024.
Contents
History
The Birmingham Stallions were one of eight teams officially announced as a USFL franchise on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on November 22, 2021. On January 6, 2022, it was revealed that former NCAA coach Gene Chizik would become the head coach of the Stallions. Chizik confirmed the report, but the parties have yet to agree. He ultimately took a deal to become the defensive coordinator for North Carolina two days later. On January 20, 2022, it was announced on The Herd with Colin Cowherd that former NCAA football head coach Skip Holtz was named the head coach and general manager of the Stallions.
The Stallions finished the 2022 regular season with a 9–1 record, winning the South division title and clinching the South division's first seed. The Stallions hosted their first South Division Championship game, facing the second-seed New Orleans Breakers. The Stallions defeated the Breakers 31–17 and advanced to the 2022 USFL Championship Game.
On July 3, 2022, in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, the Stallions played against the North division's second seed, the Philadelphia Stars. Following halftime, the Stallions led by eleven points, but a 4-yard Stars' touchdown narrowed the Stallions' lead to five points with 5:17 remaining in the third quarter. On the Stallions' next possession, they were forced to attempt a 38-yard field goal, which was missed. Then Philadelphia's Case Cookus found Devin Gray in the end zone for a touchdown two plays later. The Stars attempted and converted a two-point conversion. This gave Philadelphia a 23–20 lead, their first of the game. Following a pair of field goals and a 26–23 lead with under three minutes remaining, Scooby Wright had a 46-yard interception returned for a touchdown to seal the game for the Stallions effectively. Victor Bolden Jr. won the USFL Championship Game Most Valuable Player Award.
Following the 2022 season, the Stallions hired Zachary Potter. He previously held the title of team director during the Stallions 2022 season.
In September 2023, Axios reported that the XFL was in advanced talks with the USFL to merge the two leagues prior to the start of their 2024 seasons. Officials in Birmingham were assured that the Stallions would be part of the merged league should the union go forward. On September 28, 2023, the XFL and USFL announced their intent to merge with details surrounding the merger to be announced at a later date. The merger would also require regulatory approval. In October 2023 the XFL filed a trademark application for the name "United Football League". On November 30, 2023, Garcia announced via her Instagram page that the leagues had received regulatory approval for the merger and were finalizing plans for a "combined season" to begin March 30, 2024. The merger was made official on December 31, 2023.
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Traditions
Pyramid of Flesh
On April 20, 2024 the Stallions hosted a game against the D.C. Defenders at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, AL. With 1:55 remaining in the first half, the game was halted for a lightning delay . By the time play resumed nearly 90 minutes later, most fans had left the stadium. However of the few devoted fans who remained, a group of men had gathered near the North endzone, taking off their wet shirts and cheering enthusiastically . Having received such significant air time in the game broadcast, a tradition was born. Later dubbed the "Pyramid of Flesh" , during each home game at the front row of Section 138 a small group of shirtless fans begins to gather. As the game goes on, as other fans join the group, they are serenaded with chants of "TAKE IT OFF!" until they join the ranks of the shirtless. By the end of most games the Pyramid of Flesh has typically grown to include several dozen fans. The loudest and most passionate group in the stadium, they are often acknowledged by players as well as the Stallions' mascot, Stanley.
Championships
The Stallions have won two USFL Championships and one UFL Championship as well as two (USFL) South Division Championships and one (UFL) USFL Conference Championship, winning three championships in a row from 2022 to 2024.
USFL Championships
| Year | Coach | USFL Championship Game | Stadium | Location | Opponent | Score | MVP | Record |
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| 2022 | Skip Holtz | 2022 | Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium | Canton, Ohio | Philadelphia Stars | 33–30 | Victor Bolden Jr. | 9–1 |
| 2023 | Skip Holtz | 2023 | Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium | Canton, Ohio | Pittsburgh Maulers | 28–12 | Deon Cain | 8–2 |
| Total USFL championships won: | 2 | |||||||
UFL Championship
| Year | Coach | UFL Championship Game | Stadium | Location | Opponent | Score | MVP | Record |
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| 2024 | Skip Holtz | 2024 | The Dome at America's Center | St. Louis, Missouri | San Antonio Brahmas | 25–0 | Adrian Martinez | 9–1 |
| Total UFL championships won: | 1 | |||||||
South Division Championship games
| Year | Coach | Stadium | Location | Opponent | Score | Record |
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| 2022 | Skip Holtz | Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium | Canton, Ohio | New Orleans Breakers | 31–17 | 9–1 |
| 2023 | Skip Holtz | Protective Stadium | Birmingham, Alabama | New Orleans Breakers | 47–22 | 8–2 |
| Total South Division championship games won: | 2 | |||||
USFL Conference Championship game
| Year | Coach | Stadium | Location | Opponent | Score | Record |
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| 2024 | Skip Holtz | Protective Stadium | Birmingham, Alabama | Michigan Panthers | 31-18 | 9–1 |
| Total USFL Conference championship games won: | 1 | |||||
Current roster
Players
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
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Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
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Reserve lists
Roster updated June 4, 2024 50 active, 3 reserve(s) |
Staff
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Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
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Player history
Current NFL players
| Season | Pos | Name | NFL Team |
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| 2022 | CB | Tae Hayes | New York Jets |
| 2022–2023 | K | Brandon Aubrey | Dallas Cowboys |
| 2023 | WR | Austin Watkins | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2023 | DT | Khalil Davis | Houston Texans |
| 2023 | QB | Alex McGough | Green Bay Packers |
| 2023 | WR | Davion Davis | Washington Commanders |
| 2023 | TE | La'Michael Pettway | New England Patriots |
Notable players
| Season | Pos | Name | Notes |
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| 2023–present | TE | Jace Sternberger | Former Green Bay Packers Tight End, 2019 3rd Round Pick |
| 2024–present | WR | Amari Rodgers | Former Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver, 2021 3rd Round Pick |
| 2024–present | QB | Matt Corral | Former Carolina Panthers Quarterback, 2022 3rd Round Pick |
| 2024–present | DE | Taco Charlton | Former Dallas Cowboys Defensive End, 2017 1st Round Pick |
USFL MVP award winners
| Stallions USFL MVP winners | |||
| Year | Player | Position | Selector |
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| 2023 | Alex McGough | QB | USFL |
Coach history
Head coach history
| # | Name | Term | Regular season | Playoffs | Awards | |||||
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| GC | W | L | Win % | GC | W | L | ||||
| Birmingham Stallions | ||||||||||
| 1 | Skip Holtz | 2022–present | 30 | 26 | 4 | .867 | 5 | 5 | 0 | *2023 USFL Coach of the Year |
Offensive coordinator history
| # | Name | Term | Regular season | Playoffs | Notes | |||||
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| GC | W | L | Win % | GC | W | L | ||||
| Birmingham Stallions | ||||||||||
| 1 | Skip Holtz | 2022–present | 30 | 26 | 4 | .867 | 5 | 5 | 0 | *Co-Offensive Coordinator with Philip Montgomery |
| 2 | Philip Montgomery | 2024–present | 10 | 9 | 1 | .900 | 1 | 1 | – | *Co-Offensive Coordinator with Skip Holtz |
*Holtz also serving as Offensive Coordinator
Defensive coordinator history
| # | Name | Term | Regular season | Playoffs | Awards | |||||
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| GC | W | L | Win % | GC | W | L | ||||
| Birmingham Stallions | ||||||||||
| 1 | John Chavis | 2022–2024 | 27 | 24 | 3 | .889 | 5 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2 | Corey Chamblin | 2024–present | 3 | 2 | 1 | .667 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
*Chavis left team Week 9
Records
| All-time Stallions leaders | ||||
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| Leader | Player | Record | Years with Stallions | |
| Passing Yards | Alex McGough | 2,564 passing yards | 2022–2023 | |
| Passing Touchdowns | Alex McGough | 23 passing touchdowns | 2022–2023 | |
| Rushing Yards | C. J. Marable | 1,219 rushing yards | 2022–present | |
| Rushing Touchdowns | C. J. Marable | 11 rushing touchdowns | 2022–present | |
| Receiving Yards | Jace Sternberger | 1,428 receiving yards | 2023 | |
| Receiving Touchdowns | Jace Sternberger | 8 receiving touchdowns | 2023–present | |
| Receptions | C. J. Marable | 66 receptions | 2022–present | |
| Tackles | DeMarquis Gates | 99 tackles | 2022–present | |
| Sacks | DeMarquis Gates | 8.5 sacks | 2022–present | |
| Interceptions | A. J. Thomas | 3 interceptions | 2024–present | |
| Coaching wins | Skip Holtz | 26 wins | 2022–present | |
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Statistics and records
Season-by-season record
| UFL champions† (2024–present) | USFL champions§ (2022–2023) | Conference champions* | Division champions^ | Wild Card berth# |
| Season | Team | League | Conference | Division | Regular season | Postseason results | Awards | Head coaches | Pct. | ||
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| Finish | W | L | |||||||||
| 2022 | 2022 | USFL | South | 1st ^*§ | 9 | 1 | Won Division Finals (Breakers) 31–17 Won 2022 USFL Championship (Stars) 33–30 |
J'Mar Smith (SDF MVP) Victor Bolden Jr. (CG MVP) |
Skip Holtz | .867 | |
| 2023 | 2023 | USFL | South | 1st ^*§ | 8 | 2 | Won Division Finals (Breakers) 47–22 Won 2023 USFL Championship (Maulers) 28–12 |
Alex McGough (USFL MVP) Skip Holtz (COTY) Deon Cain (CG MVP) |
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| 2024 | 2024 | UFL | USFL | 1st # | 9 | 1 | Won USFL Conference Championship (Panthers) 31-18 Won 2024 UFL Championship (Brahmas) 25-0 |
Adrian Martinez (UFL MVP) | |||
| Total | 26 | 4 | All-time regular season record (2022–2024) | .867 | |||||||
| 5 | 0 | All-time postseason record (2022–2024) | 1.000 | ||||||||
| 31 | 4 | All-time regular season and postseason record (2022–2024) | .886 | ||||||||
| 2 USFL Championship titles, 2 division titles | |||||||||||
