Patriots Country

Patriots Ex Josh Gordon Among XFL Return's Big Stars

Josh Gordon's latest professional football comeback, which previously worked its way through two years with the New England Patriots, continued in the third attempt at XFL football.
Geoff Magliocchetti|
Patriots Ex Josh Gordon Among XFL Return's Big Stars
Patriots Ex Josh Gordon Among XFL Return's Big Stars

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New England Patriots

New England Patriots making an on-field difference in February? Even without the Super Bowl, it's still happening.

The third attempt at XFL football kicked off over the weekend and several former New Englanders were on hand to headline the celebration. To relatively little surprise, Josh Gordon, who worked through two eventful years in Foxboro, lived up to his hype as one of the most prolific names in the new league, helping close out the kickoff slate on a high note for the Seattle Sea Dragons on Sunday night.

Working with former Dallas Cowboys draft pick Ben DiNucci at quarterback, Gordon hauled in 74 yards on six receptions, one of which created a touchdown on Seattle's opening drive against the DC Defenders. Though the Sea Dragons fell by a 22-18 final, Gordon's score not only generated hype and momentum amongst observers for his return to the NFL but he was also responsible for one of the XFL's top highlights in its return, catching a flip pass from DiNucci that some compared to the autumn Sunday efforts of Patrick Mahomes. 

Gordon wasn't the only former Patriot to put some spring back into the alternative pro football scene: former practice squad rep De'Vante Bausby was part of a comeback effort for the Arlington Renegades, taking back an interception for a six-yard score in a 22-20 win over the Vegas Vipers. 

Elsewhere in Texas, another practice squad star, Trent Harris, spoiled the head coaching debut of Patriots postseason hero Terrell Buckley, as his four sacks were part of the Houston Roughnecks' 33-12 victory over the Orlando Guardians. A more recent practice squader, Sean Davis from 2021, had five tackles and an interception for the Roughnecks in the same game. 

The 2023 XFL season continues on Thursday night when Gordon's Sea Dragons face the St. Louis Battlehawks (9 p.m. ET, FX). 

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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Geoff Magliocchetti
GEOFF MAGLIOCCHETTI

Geoff Magliocchetti

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