"Life is good when you win," says one of those responsible for the Generals' success last season, running backDario Victor."I play the game I love, my team wins games and that's all a man can ask for."
Viktor wasNamed USFL Offensive Player of the YearAfter leading the league with nine rushing touchdowns, he ranked third in rushing yards (577) and fourth in yards per game (57.7). At 5'8" and 209 pounds,with 30 inch quads(yes, you read that right...30 inches), the Generals RB is a wrecking ball on the pitch.
"Thick thighs save lives," Victor recalls while laughing at his week 5 game-winning game. "I had to use them and push [Pérez] into the end zone."
"Thick thighs save lives" 🤣🤣@yungvitovmade sure to convey this very important message when speaking to him@BrockHuard pic.twitter.com/bdfemli6Nn
— New Jersey Generals (@USFLGenerals)14. May 2022
With his cheerful demeanor and self-described goofy personality, it's hard to imagine the hell Darius Victor went through to get where he is today.
"I shouldn't be here"
Victor, one of seven children (4 brothers and 2 sisters), was born in a refugee camp in Côte d'Ivoire, Africa, in 1994 after his parents,Garymipatricia, fled Liberia's first civil war.
"You saw the movieblood diamond?” Victor asks, "That's the kind of environment I was born into."
Victor and his family literally ran for their lives, hiding and sleeping safely in the bushes as their country was torn apart by violence and bloodshed. Almost 250,000 people, men, women and children, lost their lives in Liberia's civil war.
"I was too young to remember what happened back then," Victor told NBC Sports. "But after the stories my parents told me about what we were running from, I shouldn't even be here."
The Victor family moved to the United States in 1999 and lived in Manassas, Virginia before relocating to Hyattsville, Maryland in 2002. After leaving it all behind, Gary and Patrica worked tirelessly to support their family and while their parents were away trying to make it by the end of the month. Meet the seven Victor brothersVelma,Conde,Kevin,dario,Leon,Shaka,miNicholas- They looked at each other. Help with homework, make sure everyone is fed and participate in activities. Especially for Kevin and Darius, that activity was football.
sibling rivalry
"My older brother Kevin was my role model growing up," Victor recalls. “I used to go to football practice with him and he was really good. He was a legend of the Boys and Girls Club. She had to compete with him in everything and she wanted to be better than him in everything she did. So I started playing football and I really tried to be better than him. Having that role model really gave me a love for the game.”
The duo, four years apart, later played football at Northwestern High School and outdid each other with their competitive spirit on and off the field. But everything changed in December 2011, whenKevin was tragically shot while walking home from the local community center.after playing basketball with friends just a block from his family's apartment.
"Losing a son and a brother is crazy," Victor said. "It was tough, but it brought us even closer as a family. It made me try even harder because Kevin was always the hardest on me. When we were kids I used to cry on the football pitch when something went wrong and Kevin would correct me.
“His death gave me an attitude of resistance and resilience. I always think of him and try to live up to the trust he had in me."
In October, just 10 months after Kevin's death, Darius was in the middle of a graduation season when the Victor family's apartment caught fire.
"The hardest part wasn't even losing our belongings, but seeing my mum and dad cry again. That was very difficult for me. Dario remembers. "At this point in my life, I had to choose to never question God, to believe that everything happens for a reason, and to control what I can control."
Towson-resistent
With his family's supervision, Victor decided to play football at the University of Towson, about 45 minutes from his hometown, where he received a scholarship. He earned First Team All-CAA honors in 2014 by rushing for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns with 250 carries, but he says he also learned a new level of toughness from his coaches and teammates, with whom he remains in contact today stands.
"Coachreindeer raftHe really believed in me and that gave me a lot of confidence," said Victor. "But there are so many people there who have really spoken out about my life, including my FB teammates.dreon johnson, RBwest terraceand trainersStealmiJared Ambrosio.“
Be prepared
Victor, who only played four games in his senior year of college due to a toe injury, was not drafted after graduating from Towson in 2017 but had numerous opportunities with NFL teams. Victor received an invite to the New York Jets rookie minicamp, the New Orleans Saints training camp and even ended up on the Arizona Cardinals practice team, but unfortunately those opportunities didn't end the way he wanted.
However, the Hyattsville native did not let that discourage him.
"I've been through so much in my life that I understand the concept of controlling what you control," said the 28-year-old. “One of my mottos is be ready so you don't have to prepare. Doing that and just trusting God made me mentally and physically ready for the next opportunity.”
For Victor, that meant hours of practice every day from 9am to 5pm as Penske's Sales Operations Manager and staying consistent no matter what, even when he was hired by the CFL and fired a day before he left. for Canada (2019) and when the XFL season came to a sudden halt amid a global pandemic (2020).
But when the USFL finally called him and picked him in the sixth round of the Supplemental Draft, he was ready. Victor says his love for his family and faith in God propelled him through the difficult times of his life.
"Knowing what my family has been through and the fact that we're not even supposed to be here is a blessing every day I get and I just want them to be proud. You are my why,” says Víctor, who isoften seen with goodswith the phrase "Keep God First" written on his clothing.
"I don't care if you're a millionaire or very poor ... life is alive, but if you put God first everything will be fine and that's how I live my life."
First and 10th with Dario Victor
What do you attribute the New Jersey Generals' early success to?
“We have a great coach and great leadership. The team is very close and we take responsibility for each other because we all have the same goal. We've all had similar experiences. I'm sure I've spoken to 30 or 38 players that have been cut multiple times and it creates a bond.
"Also, we have a bit of weight on our shoulders because we were predicted bottom of the table last season due to our 'level of talent'.
If someone were a fly on the locker room wall, what would surprise them when they learned about the New Jersey Generals?
"After a win we sing 'Hip, Hip, Hooray.'Coach Rileyhe says 'hip hip' and the rest of the team says 'hooray'. It's the best there is.
What is your role in the team?
“I'm one of the oldest guys on the team, so I consider myself one of the leaders and the 'special teams captain'. The coach always jokes that I'm the heart and soul of the team. I just want to do whatever it takes to make this team successful."
How would you describe your style as a runner?
"I think I'm pretty balanced, but what sets me apart the most is my physique. I don't think many people like me can referee football. Whether I'm just watching the tape or just watching the football games, that's how I stand out.
Sensational music before the game?
"I need to listen to the song 'I'm a Dog' byGucci maneIt puts me in my zone.
Game day superstitions?
“I have a cut up Superman Jesus jersey that I wear under my pads at every game. I wouldn't really call it superstition, but I wouldn't feel good without him."
What's one thing about you that not everyone knows?
"I'm addicted to Candy Crush. I'm at level 4650."
Favorite soccer player?
„Juan JohnsonHe's the go-to security for the Cleveland Browns and also my best friend."
Favourite movie?
"Oh,Gump-Bosque. Simply."
Favorite pair of kicks?
"Jordan 1, I can't pick a specific pair."
FAQs
Will there be a USFL season in 2023? ›
The 2023 USFL Season kicks off on Saturday, April 15 and Sunday, April 16 with four thrilling games.
What are the USFL teams 2023? ›- United States Football League.
- New Jersey Generals.
- Memphis Showboats.
- Philadelphia Stars.
- Michigan Panthers.
- Pittsburgh Maulers.
- Birmingham Stallions.
- Houston Gamblers.
The USFL has eight teams in 2023, six of which come from the 12 original teams in 1983. The Stallions, Michigan Panthers, New Jersey Generals, New Orleans Breakers, Philadelphia Stars, Houston Gamblers, and Pittsburgh Maulers all return for their second season.
What cities will host the USFL 2023? ›DETROIT — The USFL on Thursday announced ticket prices for the 2023 regular season at host stadiums in Detroit, Canton, Ohio, Birmingham, Alabama, and Memphis, Tennessee.
Where will the Pittsburgh Maulers play in 2023? ›The USFL announced the 2023 schedule for the Pittsburgh Maulers, who will play their home games this season at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Their 10-game regular season begins April 16 and runs through June 17. They will share Benson Stadium this season with another USFL franchise, the New Jersey Generals.
How much do USFL coaches get paid? ›While coaching salaries have not been made public, a USFL player makes an average salary of $45,000 each season and $600 per week during the pre-season. These figures indicate that a USFL coach is most likely paid in the $50,000 to $100,000 range per season.
Where will the Michigan Panthers play in 2023? ›A new professional sports team will claim Detroit as its home in 2023, as the USFL's Michigan Panthers will play in Ford Field this year.
What big names are in the USFL? ›- Alex McGough, QB, Birmingham Stallions.
- Malik Cunningham, QB, Birmingham Stallions.
- Kyle Lauletta, QB, New Jersey Generals.
- James Morgan, QB, Pittsburgh Maulers.
- Adrian Martinez, QB, New Jersey Generals.
Teams. On November 15, 2022, in conjunction with its agreement to play at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, the USFL announced that the Memphis Showboats would be replacing the Tampa Bay Bandits for the 2023 season. The seven other teams in the league will return as they were in 2022.
Are all USFL games played at the same place? ›The USFL played all 40 of its 2022 regular-season games in Birmingham before shifting to Canton, Ohio, for the playoffs, to make way for the World Games. In 2023, Shanks said, the league's eight teams will be based in two or four cities.
Who will be the best USFL team? ›
- Birmingham Stallions (8-0) ...
- New Orleans Breakers (5-3) ...
- Tampa Bay Bandits (4-4) ...
- Michigan Panthers (1-7) ...
- Houston Gamblers (1-7) ...
- Pittsburgh Maulers (1-7)
There are currently 21 USFL 2022 players on NFL team rosters as the league enters Week 15 of its regular season.
Will USFL teams play in their cities? ›Memphis is the second city that will host games in the second spring season for the USFL in 2023. Birmingham, Alabama, will remain a hub city and host the New Orleans Breakers along with the hometown Stallions; Memphis will be home for the Showboats and the Houston Gamblers.
What is the average salary of a USFL football player? ›Unlike the NFL, the USFL pays every player the same sum. Each player on an active roster receives $4,500 per game. That works out to $45,000 for one season if the player stays on the squad for the entire regular season, as per USFL News.
How many stadiums does the USFL have? ›Last week the USFL finalized the landscape up their upcoming season when they officially named Canton, OH and Detroit, MI as the final two hub cities.
What is the difference between XFL and USFL? ›The United States Football League is significantly older than the XFL. The USFL was founded in 1982 and proceeded to have a three-year run before going on an indefinite hiatus. The league returned in 2022, ending an over 30-year absence. Meanwhile, the XFL is newer, founded in 2001.
Where do the Pittsburgh Maulers play their home games? ›Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium (2023–present)
They currently play their home games at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, which also hosts the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game.
1983 – 1984, 2022 - Present / Pittsburgh Maulers. Nickname. Maulers – A name-the-team contest yielded the nickname "Maulers," after the sledgehammer-wielding workers in steel foundries. Original USFL Team. No.
Who has the biggest USFL contracts? ›It had been reported that Bryant would earn about $300,000 per year on a three-year contract. But his agent, Perry Deering, said today that Bryant signed for four years with a contract value closer to $2 million, making him the highest-paid USFL player.
What is the starting salary in the USFL? ›According to this agreement, players will receive a minimum weekly salary of $5,350, which is a jump from last season's weekly amount of $4,500. For comparison, the XFL's minimum salary is $5,000 per week.
What is the top salary in the USFL? ›
All told, that means USFL players who play out the full 2022 season on an active roster can expect to make between $45,000 and $75,000 based on team performance. By comparison, the league-minumum salary in the NFL for the 2022 season is just over $800,000.
Where will USFL Michigan Panthers play? ›In October, 2022, the Panthers hired Steve Kazor as general manager. After all eight USFL teams played their home games in Birmingham, Alabama, the Panthers moved to the state of Michigan in 2023, announcing Ford Field as their home stadium.
Who owns the USFL Michigan Panthers? ›...
| Michigan Panthers | |
|---|---|
| Owner(s) | 1983–1984 A. Alfred Taubman |
| Head coach | 1983–1984 Jim Stanley (24–15) |
| Team history | |
The USFL's Michigan Panthers and Philadelphia Stars will play their Season 2 home games at Ford Field, home of the NFL's Detroit Lions.
Who has the best defense in the USFL? ›2022 USFL Defensive Player of the Year: DE Chris Odom – Houston Gamblers.
How many USFL players made the NFL Hall of Fame? ›Five men enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for their exploits in the NFL, served time in the USFL: Marv Levy, Jim Kelly, George Allen, Sid Gillman and Fred Biletnikoff.
Will USFL teams play in their own cities in 2023? ›The league's 2022 renaissance featured eight teams playing every game in Birmingham, Alabama. Earlier this year, the USFL announced plans to add more teams in 2023 as the league incrementally brings teams back to their home cities.
Do all USFL players make the same money? ›Unlike the NFL, each USFL player is compensated the same amount. According to USFL News, each player on an active roster is paid $4,500 per game, which ends up being $45,000 for the season if a player remains on the active roster for the entire 10-game regular season.
Who makes more NFL or USFL? ›USFL players made $4,500 per game, or $45,000 for the season. By contrast, top NFL players make one thousand times more than this.
Why do the Philadelphia Stars play in Alabama? ›But Philadelphia sports fans will have to trek miles south to Birmingham, Ala., if they want to see the Stars in person. In an attempt to keep costs down, the league will play the bulk of its regular-season games at Protective Stadium.
Why is the USFL game on two networks? ›
Both NBC and Fox have multi-year rights deals with the USFL, with NBC Sports set to air 22 games in 2022, nine on NBC, nine on USA and four via Peacock. Fox Sports is slated to carry 22 games, with 14 on Fox and eight on cable's Fox Sports 1.
What is the average attendance for the USFL? ›twitter.com/TheUSFLNewsHub… The USFL's regular-season average viewership was under 700,000 per game. (658,000).
Is the USFL getting good ratings? ›NBC-TV viewership peaked at 2.4 million from 6:30-6:42 p.m. ET on Sunday during the final playoff hole. Across the three days on NBC, GOLF Channel and Peacock, the event averaged a TAD of 963,000 viewers – the best viewership for the event since 2009 and up 19% from last year.
Is the USFL a success so far? ›The second-generation United States Football League in its first season didn't file for bankruptcy, played a championship game Sunday — in a nearly full 23,000-seat stadium — and is committed to a Year 2. All of that qualifies as success in spring pro football.
Does NFL recruit from USFL? ›The inaugural season of the USFL provided football fans with plenty of thrilling moments. It also provided a wealth of talent for the NFL. In fact, many players signed with NFL teams for training camp and preseason action.
What NFL stars came from the USFL? ›- BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS. WR Victor Bolden Jr. ...
- LB DeMarquis Gates. ...
- WR Osirus Mitchell. ...
- DT Doug Costin. ...
- DL Chris Odom. ...
- DT Domenique Davis. ...
- LB Tegray Scales. ...
- CB Tino Ellis.
On November 15, 2022, it was announced that the Tampa Bay Bandits would not play during the 2023 season and would instead be on a temporary hiatus. This came with the announcement of the creation of the Memphis Showboats. The players and coaches on the existing Bandits team were transferred to the Showboats.
Will the USFL expand to more teams? ›The USFL also plans to expand into more markets in 2024. The league, which plays its inaugural championship game this weekend, will not expand the number of teams next season beyond eight, but it expects to add more teams by 2024.
Is the USFL going to last? ›Executive producer Eric Shanks told Sports Business Journal the USFL will return for a second season and all eight teams from its inaugural season in 2022 will also be back. The league will continue to hold office in Birmingham, the city where the USFL played all of its regular-season games in 2022.
Will the USFL have another season? ›The USFL is the first major professional spring football league in nearly 40 years to complete a successful inaugural season and return for a second season. After all eight USFL teams competed in Birmingham during the 2022 season, the league announced in June that it will expand across additional markets in 2023.
Have any USFL players made it to the NFL? ›
— Darrius Shepherd, WR: Denver Broncos. — KaVontae Turpin, WR: Cowboys. — Sal Cannella, TE: Packers. — Ike Brown, CB: Raiders.
Can USFL players play in the NFL? ›The inaugural season of the USFL provided football fans with plenty of thrilling moments. It also provided a wealth of talent for the NFL. In fact, many players signed with NFL teams for training camp and preseason action.
Will USFL teams play in their home cities? ›USFL To Return For Season Two, Play Games In Home Markets in 2023, Expand in 2024.
Will the USFL play in different cities? ›During the USFL's 10-week season in 2022, all eight teams played games in Birmingham. The league did announce that it would hold games in additional markets as it “incrementally locates teams into their own markets until all are eventually playing in front of their hometown fans,” the USFL said in a statement.
How much does a USFL coach get paid? ›While coaching salaries have not been made public, a USFL player makes an average salary of $45,000 each season and $600 per week during the pre-season. These figures indicate that a USFL coach is most likely paid in the $50,000 to $100,000 range per season.
Will the USFL play in different stadiums for 2023? ›But during the playoffs in Canton, Ohio last June, the USFL announced it would expand into more cities for the 2023 season, as the league incrementally moves teams into their namesake markets until all are playing in front of hometown fans. As part of that process, the 2023 season will have four host cities.
How much is USFL salary? ›According to this agreement, players will receive a minimum weekly salary of $5,350, which is a jump from last season's weekly amount of $4,500. For comparison, the XFL's minimum salary is $5,000 per week.
Where will Pittsburgh Maulers play? ›Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium (2023–present)
They currently play their home games at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, which also hosts the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. Prior to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, the Maulers had played their home games in Protective Stadium and at Legion Field.
In November, the USFL were reportedly exploring options of having a hub in Metro Detroit, with possible locations being the Eastern Michigan Eagles' Rynearson Stadium and the Detroit Lions' Ford Field. On January 26, the USFL chose Ford Field, with Rynearson Stadium to serve as their practice field.