Sometimes, identifying a Most Valuable Player for a particular sports season can be difficult.
The 2023 United States Football League campaign is not one of those times.
Birmingham Stallions quarterback Alex McGough was named the USFL’s MVP today during championship game media day in Canton, Ohio. The news comes on the eve of Birmingham’s showdown with the Pittsburgh Maulers, a contest McGough and the Stallions hope will end with them hoisting the trophy for the second consecutive year.
Daryl Johnston, USFL president of football operations, let McGough know at the close of Birmingham’s press conference.
“I appreciate those who voted for me but at the end of the day, without those guys right there (his Birmingham teammates) I couldn’t do anything without them,” McGough said. “It means a lot to me what you guys have done for me … defense, offense, special teams. And this individual trophy? It means a lot, but I didn’t come here for this. I came here to hold (the USFL championship trophy) with them.
“Give me everything you got to give and I’ll give you all I’ve got. So, let’s get it.”
Through 11 games McGough has thrown for 2,414 yards and 24 touchdowns with only five interceptions, while rushing for 487 yards (second best on the team) and seven additional TDs.
“It’s been crazy,” McGough said following Wednesday’s practice. “From starting as a freshman in college to getting drafted, to getting cut, to getting cut again, and getting cut again, and being here and then getting hurt and not playing and then getting into the (2022) championship game and getting here and then filling this role that I have to fill … everybody else around me has been really supporting and helping me have the season that I’ve had.
“It’s just an awesome experience and I’m just trying to finish it out this week.”
Stallions boss Skip Holtz – the USFL Coach of the Year – was obviously proud of his signal caller’s accomplishments.
“His talent, I think, is phenomenal,” Holtz said. “I think what everybody is starting to see now is where he is mentally … he knows all the answers to the test. He knows how to plug the things in, and now you’re seeing his talent take over.”
KaVontae Turpin won the inaugural USFL MVP award in 2022, and his standout performances as a special teams player and receiver for the New Jersey Generals led to a three-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys. He was named to the NFL Pro Bowl Team.
How can one not love this guy? A te player; enthusiastic and skilled, who wants little individual recognition. I never played team sports, but isn’t this what we strive for? His parents and his coaches taught him well. Congratulations to Alex McGough.
He’s been fun to watch and fun to cover. Just a phenomenal season.