“This is what the XFL is about”- Dwayne Johnson shares emotional message congratulating Battlehawks QB AJ McCarron

Quarterback AJ McCarron was a star for the Alabama Crimson Tide. His time in the NFL, however, wasn't as successful. This is what caused him to join the XFL, and from the looks of it, he may be on his way to becoming a star in this league. The 32-year-old led the St. Louis Battlehawks to an improbable win in the opening week of the 2023 XFL season.

With less than two minutes remaining on the clock, the Battlehawks were down 15-3. A touchdown and then a three-point conversion had St. Louis down by just three. The XFL's rules allow for a fourth-down conversion, instead of an onside kick. McCarron and the Battlehawks converted and scored another touchdown to make it 18-15.

After the big win, McCarron did his postgame interview on the sidelines and mentioned how he did this for his kids and for them to get the opportunity to see him play. During his interview, his children ran up to him, and the quarterback became teary eyed.

XFL owner, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, retweeted the clip of the Battlehawks quarterback and his children and said that 'this is what the XFL is all about.' He tweeted that it was always more important when a person has a 'why' when they accomplish something.

"This is what the XFL is all about. Always cuts deeper when we can identify our “why” we do what we do. Incredible come from behind win from the @XFLBattlehawks led by QB @10AJMcCarronBeautiful moment brother. Hug ‘em tight - they’re our “why”

This is the XFL's third attempt at being a successful alternate option to the NFL. With loyal fanbases packing stadiums and heartwarming stories of players trying to make their dreams come true, the third time may be the charm for the XFL.

When did QB AJ McCarron last play in the NFL?

After winning three National Championships with the Alabama Crimson Tide, AJ McCarron went on to pursue his dreams of playing on Sundays. He was originally drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He spent his rookie season on the inactive list until December but never saw any playing time that season.

In 2015, he started three games after starting quarterback Andy Dalton fractured his thumb. He even started the AFC Wild Card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a game the Bengals barely lost 18-16. He played just one game in 2016. At the 2017 trade deadline, the Bengals attempted to trade him to the Cleveland Browns in exhange for a second- and third-round draft pick. However, there was an error with the paperwork, so the trade never happened.

The quarterback started the 2018 season with the Buffalo Bills before he was traded to the Raiders. He then spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons with the Houston Texans where he started just one game and appeared in four games in two seasons. In 2021, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons. He tore his ACL in the second preseason game and missed the entire season. He hasn't played in the NFL since.