Cameramen in combat gear chasing down players as they sprint for the endzone. Blair Witch like camera shots that can make you nauseous. Strippers, sorry I mean, cheerleaders, in outfits that make Madonna look like the Virgin Mary (no pun intended). What? This is definitely not your grandfather?s game of football, this is the XFL. From the same guy that brought you the Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin, comes a new brand of in your face football that resembles a circus more than an actual football game. Yes, the man you love to hate, Vince McMahon, has a new brainchild that is a blend of the WWF, NFL, and American Gladiators.

The XFL has definitely captured the nation?s attention at least for the first two weeks. They had a successful Saturday Night debut that grabbed a 10.3 rating, which the Nielson folks say that is big, so I?ll agree. In fact it was the highest rating Saturday event since the Sydney Olympics.

The league is banking on a macho, no sissy type of football that will bring in the off season NFL fan. At the same time it is mixing in flair and fireworks that will entice the table breaking, suplex loving wrestling fan. I mean how can you not love the pre-game “scrum” that decides who gets the ball first. Way better than a coin toss, my only beef is that they don?t make the kickers kick, scratch and hiss for the ball. No “sissy” kick after a touchdown in the XFL. You have to do it the old fashion way, earn it. Same with those blasted fair catches, which are banned in the XFL.

The league should get respect for trying to bridge the gap between pro athletes and their fans by capping player?s salary at $4,000 a game (given to quarterbacks) and rewarding each player with a $2,500 bonus for each victory. Vince McMahon also gets kudos for taking in all the extra cash saved on salaries and making it look like a good thing! And where else can you sit on the 50- yard line and pay $25. Definitely not at the Stick? watching the 4-12ers, I mean 49ers. Here on campus we have our very own XFLer in former Sac State standout offensive tackle Tim Conley, who currently is on the Las Vegas Outlaws. Let?s just hope that Conley doesn?t follow his teammate Rod Smart?s lead and place “he hate me” on the back of his jersey.

The bottom line is that at this point the XFL is bad football that is getting by on intrigue and corporate dollars. But who cares, bad football is better than no football at least for football junkies like myself; the XFL is an entertaining option until the big boys come back in the fall. Besides, where else can you see the Gov. Jesse “the body” call players sissies and morons. Could you imagine Gray Davis in the booth getting loose on minor league football players for an extra paycheck. Well stay tuned.