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ized jerseys than the NFL and can write whatever they want on the back.

Throughout the game little cameramen run around the field with their little helmets catching ball angles that are so close you feel you are in the game.

"I didn't like the camera angles," Andy Gradel, radio broadcasting lecturer, said. "Everything was too shaky with the hand-held cameras."

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If you think that you have seen everything that sports bas to offer than think again.

"No way, Jose." He explains how in the XFL players will have to compete for the right of who gets to possess the start of the game.

Donnie Caldwell, Hitmen player, and Jamel Williams, Outlaw player, both line up next to the ref, waiting for the whistle to blow. At the sound they charge down the field for a short distance and dive for the football that is waiting for them on the ground. Williams wins after the ball jumps out of both their arms and he runs to tackle it down a second time.

The cheerleaders go wild, and that would be the best single word to use to describe them-wild. The motorcycleVictoria Secret look has all the beer slurping men in the stadium and at home drooling. Dance moves are nonexistent but curves are very well-defined. An older man gripping his beer and his rating board with a 10 printed on it for his fantasy lady, is found leaning on the support of the railing as the fans go absolutely nuts over the introduction of the players.

The players come up to the camera and shout-outs begin as if they are on a radio show. Players yell to loved ones, friends, birthday wishes and threats not to mess with them unless harm is welcomed back. The players have more personal-

Alongside the sidelines coaches were not wearing earphones to communicate with team officials in towers like the coaches in the NFL. Communication within the XFL teams is done through yelling. Maybe that is why between the both teams the XFL was a step behind the NFL in organization. Turnovers, messy plays and careless errors hold the league back. In one play the quarterback's arm went forward but the ball went behind him without being swatted. But errors and bad plays are not going to keep audiences away. The WWF wrestler the Rock announced the future of XFL is going to be long.

"Just like everyone else in America, we are all psyched, pumped, giged and cranked," the Rock said. "So to all the coaches in the XFL, the players in the XFL, and all the fans in the XFL. just bring it, just bring it."

To check out the new XFL teams go to www.xfl.com and choose who to root for out of the Birmingham Bolts, the Chicago Enforcers, the San Francisco Demons, the Las Vegas Outlaws, the Memphis Maniax, the New York Hitmen, the Los Angeles Xtreme and the Orlando Rage.

Did you Know ?

40,000 people applied for league and teamjobs with the XFL via XFL.com.

50,000 people applied to become actual players.

The cheerleaders of the XFL date the players.

The XFL is a new version of football that kicked off its season on Feb. 3, 2001. The XFL is jointly owned and operatedby the World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Inc. and NBC. This is now an official sport that is 100 percent competitive. The XFL was founded by Vince McMahon however NBC became a partner on March 29. The: league's eight teams will play a IO-game regular season. In the XFL, eight teams are divided into two-four team divisions. The Eastern division includes the Binningham Bolts.Chicago Enforcers,New York Hitmen,San Francisco Demons,Las Vegas Outlaws,the Memphis Maniax,the Los An• geles Xtreme and the Orlando Rage.

Each team will consist of a 38-man roster and a seven-man reserve squad. All of the XFL players have a history of playing foot• ball in the NFL, NFL Europe or Arena Football League. The players ate not allowed to be under contract with any other league.

The XFL players are definitely being paid to play. The base salary for most players is -$45,000- for a IO-gameregular season. The quarterbacks are paid a little more-$50,000-and the kicking specialist is paid the least -$35,000. Furthermore, each regular seasongame will feature a pool consisting of -$10,000- bonus to be divided among the winning team. The bonus pool for "The Big Game Al TheEnd'' will be $ 1 million.

The incentive to watch this new sport is that cameras and microphones will be placed on the players and at certain points of the field and locker rooms.

The XFLclaims that "For the first time. TV will convey football's true powerand eJJlOtions."

Anotherreasonto watch the XFL, is the cheerleaders. The league believes that the cheerleaders will play an integral role at the games. They really want the fans to get to know their names and personalities.

This new brand of football is something we have never seen before that promises fast-impact acting and player individuality.

The XFL has recently launched its official website at XFL.com. Log on and get information on ticket purchasingand XFL paraphernalia.