DC Defenders

On December 5, 2018, Washington, D.C., was announced as one of eight cities that would join the newly reformed XFL, as well as Seattle, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, and Dallas.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2018/12/05/xfl-picks-houston-as-an-inaugural-city-announces.html |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=www.bizjournals.com}} On February 21, 2019, the team hired Pep Hamilton, who was most recently an assistant with the Michigan Wolverines football team, as their first head coach and general manager. Hamilton is an alumnus of Howard University and was familiar to XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck through Hamilton's work with Luck's son, former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck.{{Cite web |date=8 February 2019 |title=Pep Hamilton is reportedly heading to the XFL |url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2019/02/pep-hamilton-is-reportedly-heading-to-the-xfl.html}} The team name and logo were revealed on August 21, 2019, followed by the uniforms on December 3, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Spedden |first=Zach |date=2019-08-21 |title=XFL Team Names and Logos Unveiled |url=https://footballstadiumdigest.com/2019/08/xfl-team-names-and-logos-unveiled/ |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=Football Stadium Digest |language=en-US}}

File:DC Defenders kickoff against the Seattle Dragons at Audi Field.jpg at Audi Field, in 2020]]

File:St. Louis BattleHawks vs. DC Defenders (52735518249).jpg at Audi Field, in 2023]]

File:DC Defenders Logo.svgOn October 15, 2019, the Defenders announced their first player in team history, being assigned former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones.{{Cite web |last=Florio |first=Mike |date=2019-10-15 |title=XFL announces its eight allocated quarterbacks |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/15/xfl-announces-its-eight-allocated-quarterbacks/ |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=ProFootballTalk |language=en-US}} Later that day, the 2020 XFL Draft took place. The Defenders selected wide receiver Rashard Davis with the first overall pick, but he did not play for the team and later signed with the Tennessee Titans.

On February 8, 2020, the Defenders won the first game in modern XFL history, defeating the Seattle Dragons by a score of 31–19.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/xfl-scores-week-1-live-results-highlights-from-saturdays-games/1rmupey7oo12q15wtl3uxsg0ax|title=XFL scores Week 1: Final results, highlights from Saturday's games|website=www.sportingnews.com|date=10 February 2020 |language=en|access-date=2020-02-10}} On February 15, 2020, the Defenders beat the New York Guardians by a score of 27–0, which was the first shutout in modern XFL history. On March 12, 2020, the XFL announced that the remainder of the 2020 XFL season had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 10, 2020, the XFL suspended operations and terminated all employees, players, and staff.{{Cite web |date=2020-04-10 |title=Sources: XFL staff laid off, no plans for 2021 |url=https://www.espn.com/xfl/story/_/id/29021347/xfl-suspends-operations-lays-employees-no-plans-return-2021 |access-date=2023-03-08 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

On August 3, 2020, it was reported that a consortium led by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Gerry Cardinale (through Cardinale's fund RedBird Capital Partners) purchased the XFL for $15 million just hours before an auction could take place; the purchase received court approval on August 7, 2020.{{Cite news |date=August 2, 2020 |title=THE ROCK BUYS THE XFL FOR $15 MILLION |work=RingsideNews.com |url=https://www.ringsidenews.com/2020/08/03/the-rock-buys-the-xfl-for-15-million/ |access-date=August 2, 2020}}{{Cite news |last=Kerr |first=Jeff |date=August 2, 2020 |title=Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson buys XFL for $15 million with partners RedBird Capital and Dany Garcia |publisher=CBSSports.com |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-buys-xfl-for-15-million-with-partner-redbird-capital-per-report/ |access-date=August 2, 2020}} In March 2022, a report emerged that Reggie Barlow would become the new head coach of the D.C. XFL franchise, confirming that Washington, D.C., would return as an XFL city. Barlow's hire was official on April 13, 2022, as well as the return of the D.C. franchise on July 24, 2022.{{Cite web |title=XFL Announces Head Coaches: Reggie Barlow, Anthony Becht, Terrell Buckley, Jim Haslett, Wade Phillips, Bob Stoops, Hines Ward and Rod Woodson |url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-latest-news/xfl-announces-head-coaches |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=www.xfl.com |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Cadeaux |first1=Ethan |date=24 July 2022 |title=XFL to return to Washington, D.C. for 2023 relaunch |work=NBC Sports |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/commanders/xfl-return-washington-dc-2023-relaunch |access-date=25 July 2022}} On October 31, 2022, the XFL announced that the Defenders name would be returning, this time with a brand new logo.{{Cite web |title=D.C. Defenders Return for Kickoff in 2023 |url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-latest-news/dc-defenders-return-for-kickoff-in-2023 |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=www.xfl.com |language=en}}

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.{{cite web |last1=Baysinger |first1=Tim |last2=Primack |first2=Dan |last3=Fischer |first3=Sara |date=September 19, 2023 |title=Scoop: Football leagues XFL and USFL in merger talks |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/09/19/xfl-usfl-merger |access-date=September 19, 2023 |website=Axios |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |author=TSN ca Staff |date=2023-09-28 |title=XFL, United States Football League announce intention to merge |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nfl/xfl-united-states-football-league-announce-intention-to-merge-1.2013718 |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=TSN |language=en-CA}} The merger would also require regulatory approval.{{Cite web |last=Schad |first=Tom |date=2023-09-28 |title=XFL, USFL confirm intention to merge into single spring football league |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/xfl/2023/09/19/xfl-usfl-discussing-merger/70899491007/ |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=USA Today |language=en}} In October 2023 the XFL filed a trademark application for the name "United Football League".{{Cite web |date=October 18, 2023 |title=XFL files trademark applications for 'United Football League' and 'UFL' |url=https://www.expressnews.com/sports/article/xfl-files-trademark-applications-united-football-18433404.php |website=San Antonio Express-News |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |title=We are pleased to have completed the antitrust review process in connection with the proposed merger of the XFL and USFL and intend to play a combined season this spring kicking off on Saturday, March 30. We are now finalizing terms of the definitive agreement and will share more about this new League in the coming weeks. |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C0Rxyhvx3ug/ |website=Instagram |language=en-US}} The merger was made official on December 31, 2023.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-31 |title=USFL, XFL announce merger, formation of new spring football league: The UFL |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/usfl-xfl-announce-merger-formation-of-new-spring-football-league-the-ufl-182236680.html |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}

On March 22, 2025, head coach Reggie Barlow departed the Defenders, and QB coach Shannon Harris was named Interim Head Coach for the 2025 season.{{cite web | url=https://www.theufl.com/news/reggie-barlow-steps-down-as-head-coach-of-dc-defenders-to-become-head-coach-at-tennessee-state-university | title=Barlow Steps Down as Head Coach of Defenders }} Three days later, Harris also appeared to resign to join Barlow at Tennessee State.{{Cite web |last=Organ |first=Mike |title=New Tennessee State football coach Reggie Barlow not swayed by school's financial woes |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/2025/03/24/tsu-football-reggie-barlow-eddie-george-financial-struggles/82612826007/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}} In a March 26 interview, Barlow clarified that Harris and the Defenders coaching staff would finish out the 2025 season in DC before joining Barlow in Tennessee.

{{DC Defenders roster}}

The Defenders have a rivalry against the St. Louis Battlehawks.{{Cite web |last=Lyons |first=Joe |date=2023-03-17 |title=Battlehawks look for better result against XFL rival D.C. Defenders |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/battlehawks-look-for-better-result-against-xfl-rival-d-c-defenders/article_17201c9c-fe61-59de-8658-2e371da7cbd7.html |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en}} At the end of their first meeting of the 2023 season, three players were ejected after a brawl broke out.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-06 |title=XFL brawl: Three players ejected during Defenders-BattleHawks showdown in final minute of game |url=https://www.cbssports.com/xfl/news/xfl-brawl-three-players-ejected-during-defenders-battlehawks-showdown-in-final-minute-of-game/ |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}} A week later, the Battlehawks' quarterback, A. J. McCarron, called their competition the "first XFL rivalry."{{Cite web |last=Inabinett |first=Mark |date=2023-03-17 |title=AJ McCarron, Battlehawks part of 'a little XFL rivalry' |url=https://www.al.com/sports/2023/03/aj-mccarron-battlehawks-part-of-a-little-xfl-rivalry-already.html |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=al |language=en}}

• Defunct teams in light gray.

=== Starting Quarterbacks ===

{{Main|Lists of starting quarterbacks in the UFL}}

Regular season – As of June 2, 2025

Postseason

Most games as starting quarterback

The Baltimore–Washington area has a history of several teams in alternative professional football. The USFL had the Washington Federals (a mostly unsuccessful franchise) in its first two years. Then the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars moved from Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Byrd Stadium in College Park, Maryland, in 1985, winning the USFL's final championship. The Canadian Football League's Baltimore CFL Colts/Stallions were the only successful American team in the league during their two-year existence in the mid-1990s (and were the only American-based team to win the Grey Cup, the CFL's championship). Indoor teams to have played in Washington include the Washington Commandos and the Washington Valor (which folded two months before the Defenders' first game) of the Arena Football League, and the D.C. Armor of American Indoor Football Association, in addition to several teams based in Maryland.

The Defenders join the Washington Commanders, Washington Nationals, Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, D.C. United, Washington Spirit, Capital City Go-Go, and Old Glory DC as professional sports teams based in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

Defenders fans have taken up a tradition of assembling beer snakes out of empty beer containers. The snake constructed at the March 8, 2020, game vs the St. Louis Battlehawks ended up spanning several rows, including a contribution from then-Commissioner Oliver Luck.{{cite web |last=Lincoln |first=Darrelle |date=March 8, 2020 |title=DC Defenders fans might've created the biggestbeer snake in history during game at Audi Field |url=https://www.totalprosports.com/2020/03/08/dc-defenders-fans-mightve-created-the-biggest-beer-snake-in-history-during-game-at-audi-field-video/ |access-date=March 8, 2020 |work=Total Pro Sports}}

In the 2023 season opener against the Seattle Sea Dragons, fans threw lemons onto the field after stadium security personnel confiscated several attempts at making a beer snake, delaying the game for a few minutes. This prompted the Defenders to discuss the issue with Audi Field security and set new guidelines that allowed the beer snake to return during the next home game on March 5.{{Cite magazine |last=Andres |first=Patrick |date=2023-03-05 |title=Another Enormous Beer Snake at XFL Game Goes Viral |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2023/03/05/xfl-beer-snake-dc-defenders |access-date=2023-03-05}}

Despite playing in the UFL's smallest stadium by capacity, the Defenders have the second-highest attendance in the league as of 2024, regularly playing to at-capacity or near-capacity crowds at Audi Field.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-26 |title=UFL attendance varies widely across markets, led by St. Louis |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/06/12/ufl-attendance/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}}

{{Portal|American football|Washington, D.C.}}

• Sports in Washington, D.C.

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website|https://www.theufl.com/teams/dc}}

{{DC Defenders}}

{{United Football League}}

{{XFL (2020)}}

{{WashingtonDCSports}}

Category:American football teams established in 2018

Category:2018 establishments in Washington, D.C.

Category:United Football League (2024)