Former Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants punter Brad Wing certainly won’t forget his first ever UFL game.
The 33-year-old Wing and his San Antonio Brahmas opened up their 2024 UFL season with a home contest against the DC Defenders. Sunday marks the final day for Week 1 action of the UFL, a merger of the XFL and United States Football League.
With 14 seconds remaining in the first half of Sunday’s contest, San Antonio lined up for a 58-yard field goal attempt. Wing then got out of the field goal formation and signaled for a motion, leaving the DC defense visibly baffled.
Wing then took the snap and had all day to throw before finally spotting a wide-open Alex Mollette downfield. The former NFL offensive lineman caught the pass and just barely broke the plane for a highlight reel touchdown:
That crafty play essentially iced the game for the Brahmas at halftime, as they cruised to a 27-12 victory to begin the UFL era with a 1-0 start. The Memphis Showboats and Houston Roughnecks are also in action today to wrap up the first week of UFL action.
Wing was the Steelers ‘punter during the 2014 season, averaging 43.7 yards per punt in his rookie year. The LSU product spent the next three years with the Giants, averaging a career-best 46.2 yards per punt.
In 2019, Wing joined the Memphis Express of the now-defunct AAF (Alliance of American Football). He resumed his football career by playing for San Antonio during the 2023 XFL season, before returning to the Steelers for a brief two-game stint following an injury to Pressley Harvin.
Next Week’s UFL Action
Week 2 of the 2024 UFL season will again feature two games apiece on Saturday and Sunday. The first contest will see San Antonio visit Memphis (12:00 p.m. EST), with the Arlington Renegades visiting the St. Louis Battlehawks (8:00 p.m. EST) in the second game.
The Birmingham Stallions will visit the Michigan Panthers at 12:00 p.m. EST) in the first game on Sunday. Houston and DC will wrap up Week 2 with a showdown in Washington at 4:00 p.m. EST).