What could make Alliance of American Football better?
Oscar-winning rapper Eminem has a thought: Fighting. Like in hockey. And new Memphis quarterback Johnny Manziel is all for it.
Manziel joined the AAF last week after a shortened stint with the Calgary Stampede in the Canadian Football League. “Johnny Football” made his debut Sunday against the Birmingham Iron off the bench. He completed 3-of-5 passes for 48 passing yards. He added 20 yards rushing.
Manziel had some scrappy plays, but nothing that warranted enforcer status.
Still Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, offered the Alliance a way to draw viewers in a Tweet: “Please entertain this thought regarding the @AAFIRON @AAFEXPRESS game: Allowing the players to actually fight would be key to league’s success like hockey, I would watch every game (even through there is no Detroit team yet - hint). Don’t blow it, Sincerely Marshall.”
Of course the Alliance skimmed over the squared-circle request and went straight boardroom with one of their own. CEO and AAF co-founder Charlie Ebersol instead offered Eminem franchise rights in Detroit.
Atlanta’s AAF team could use some fight. The Legends are 2-5 on the season. They face the Iron at 4 p.m. Sunday in Birmingham, Ala. The game will be aired on CBS Sports Network. Atlanta closes out the season April 13 against Manziel in Memphis.
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