Shaun Beyer

BIOGRAPHY

Established in 2024, the DC Defenders mark their presence as a prominent entity in the world of professional American football. The team, belonging to the United Football League (UFL), operates from its base in Washington, D.C. It is a testament to the collaborative effort of Vince McMahon’s Alpha Entertainment, Dwayne Johnson’s Alpha Acquico, and Fox Corporation. The team has been successful in establishing positive domination on their home ground, the Audi Field, with an impressive regular season record of 12–3 (.800), amassing the second-highest win percentage among UFL teams in 2024.

The team’s accolades include secure top position in the 2023 XFL, with an exceptional 9–1 record and acquiring 49 additional points compared to the following closest team, the St. Louis Battlehawks. Washington, D.C., along with seven other cities including Seattle, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, and Dallas, was announced to be part of the newly reformed XFL on December 5, 2018.

Making inroads into the League, the team announced Pep Hamilton as their first head coach and general manager on February 21, 2019. Hamilton, former assistant of the Michigan Wolverines football team, had the advantage of his pre-existing affiliation with XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck. The unveiling of the team’s identity followed, with the logo disclosed on August 21, 2019, and the uniforms on December 3, 2019.

The first player in the team’s history, assigned on October 15, 2019, was the seasoned quarterback Cardale Jones from the Ohio State Buckeyes. The same day marked the Defenders’ venture into the 2020 XFL Draft, where wide receiver Rashard Davis was selected with the first overall pick. It is interesting to note that he never played for the team and chose to join the Tennessee Titans later.

The initial achievements of the Defenders included a 31–19 triumph over the Seattle Dragons on February 8, 2020, which marked the inaugural win in the modern era of XFL. This was followed by another stunning victory, a stunning 27–0 shutout over the New York Guardians on February 15, 2020. However, amidst their soaring performance, the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic compelled the XFL to cancel the remainder of the 2020 season on March 12, 2020. Later, on April 10, 2020, the operations of XFL were suspended, leading to the termination of all employees, players, and staff.

An unexpected turn of events surfaced on August 3, 2020, when a consortium made up of prominent figures like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Gerry Cardinale purchased the struggling XFL for $15 million. The purchase received court approval on August 7, 2020, stoking the hopes for a revival.

The UFL and XFL declared their intentions of merging on September 28, 2023, generating significant interest among the fans and stakeholders. The merger would require regulatory approval, and a significant development came in October 2023 when the XFL filed a trademark application for the name “United Football League”. The final official announcement was made on December 31, 2023, after Garcia announced in November that they had secured regulatory approval and would begin their “combined season” on March 30, 2024.

In the competition spirit, the Defenders have developed a sharp rivalry against the St. Louis Battlehawks, having won all three showdowns held so far. Notably, each game has been decided by a single possession, authority over which determines the division-leading team at that point. The DC Defenders have earned a reputation as a successful franchise in alternative professional American Football. The team’s burgeoning popularity is evident in the unique traditions their fans have established, such as constructing a “beer snake” out of empty beer cans during games. Regardless of the changes and adversities over the years, the Defenders continue to strive for excellence and exhibit an unrivaled passion for the game.