As the Michigan Panthers prepare for their season opener this Sunday, former star kicker turned Detroit Lion Jake Bates is throwing his support behind the UFL.
ESPN’s Eric Woodyard put together a great look back on Bates’ journey from the UFL, or United Football League, to the NFL.
“That league did for me what it’s built for,” Bates said, per Woodyard. “It’s built to give people a stage and I was able to get that stage and without that I’m not here. So, I owe so much to the UFL and to the Panthers. Anything I can do to help that league, I’m on board with.”
This is the second year of the UFL after the USFL and XFL merged to become one. Each league had eight teams for a total of 16, but the UFL opted to narrow it down to eight. The Michigan Panthers were a member of the USFL and survived.
The Panthers kick off their season at noon on Saturday against the Memphis Showboats in Tennessee before returning the following week for the home opener at 8 p.m. Friday, April 4 — yes, the same day as the Detroit Tigers open their home schedule at Comerica Park. If you’re downtown, I encourage you to stick around to support the squad.
If not (hope you don’t mind the plug), you can flip on Fox 2 at 5 or 6 p.m. for a preview—I’ll be talking to some of the guys before hosting the game. The league is all about giving guys a chance (for many, a second chance) to do what they love and who knows? Perhaps another future Lions star will be born.
Here’s the full schedule:
Sunday, March 30 at Memphis, noon on ESPN
Friday, April 4 vs. Birmingham, 8 p.m. on Fox
Sunday, April 13 vs. San Antonio, noon on ABC
Friday, April 18 vs. Memphis, 8 p.m. on Fox
Saturday, April 26 at St. Louis, 7 p.m. on ESPN
Sunday, May 4 vs. D.C., noon on ESPN2
Saturday, May 10 at Arlington, 1 p.m. on Fox
Saturday, May 17 at Houston, 1 p.m. on Fox
Saturday, May 24 at Birmingham, 3 p.m. on ABC
Saturday, May 31 vs. Houston, 3 p.m. on ESPN
And onto the rest of your notes.
‘Tis the season for workout vids.
Extremely biased but the way Tom Izzo softens up sometimes is the best, like when Kay Adams here quizzes him about his Packers/Lions split loyalty.