The United Football League concluded its 2024 season following the championship clash on Sunday, where a duo of ex-Detroit Lions players garnered accolades.
The Birmingham Stallions triumphed in the UFL Championship Game, decisively vanquishing the San Antonio Brahmas with a score of 25-0. Quarterback Adrian Martinez, who had a brief stint with the Lions in 2023, was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
Martinez wasn’t the sole ex-Lion to revel in victory. Former Detroit cornerback Mark Gilbert, also part of the Birmingham squad, secured a title. Gilbert had been signed from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad by the Lions in 2021, participating in eight games and recording three tackles, one pass defensed, and one forced fumble.
Martinez, however, was the centerpiece of the spectacle. Beyond clinching the championship MVP, he was also honored as the regular season MVP and earned a spot on the All-UFL Team. His remarkable performance may pave the way for another opportunity in the NFL.
As UFL standouts begin signing with NFL teams, the Lions have joined the fray by signing kicker Jake Bates. Bates will compete against seasoned veteran Michael Badgley after Detroit’s unexpected release of UDFA James Turner.
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