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Former Florida WR Antonio Callaway joins XFL team
Former Florida WR Antonio Callaway joins XFL team
Former Florida Gators wide receiver Antonio Callaway will be getting another chance in professional football, but not in the NFL.
On Thursday evening, the XFL’s Tampa Bay Vipers announced that they had claimed Callway off of waivers for the upcoming season, which is set to begin in February. This could represent a fresh start for Callaway after enduring off-field issues at the NFL level.
Callaway was with the Cleveland Browns as recently as the 2019 season, but he was waived from the team on Nov. 14 because he wasn’t showing up on time to meetings or practices. Even if the Browns hadn’t waived Callaway, he still was looking at a 10-game suspension for his use of a “tainted CBD product.”
The former Browns wideout missed the start of the 2019 season because he was serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. At the time, Callaway shouldered the blame for his actions and stated that he’d like to earn back the trust that he’d lost.
"I take full responsibility for my actions," Callaway said in a press release back in September. "I made a mistake and I own that. I have taken steps to make myself better and I appreciate the Browns standing by me and supporting me during this time. I know there's nothing I can say to regain trust; it will all be about my actions."
Callaway has struggled with off-field issues throughout his career, dating back to his time at Florida. While with the Gators, Callaway missed the entire 2017 season due to an identity and credit card fraud scandal. During the NFL Combine, Callaway produced a diluted drug test. That’s why, despite his incredible ability, Callaway fell to the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Callaway was a four-star recruit and the No. 43 wide receiver in the 2015 signing class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Callaway played two full seasons at Florida, and he caught 89 passes for 1,399 yards and seven touchdowns in his collegiate career. Callaway was also a fantastic weapon in the special teams game as he returned two kicks and one punt for a touchdown at the college level.
After getting several chances with the Browns, Callaway now has an opportunity to revitalize his career with the Vipers in the XFL. He’ll have former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray throwing to him, and he’ll be playing alongside former Florida teammates Mack Brown, Martez Ivey, DeAndre Goolsby, and Cece Jefferson.
The Vipers kick off their inaugural season on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 2:00 p.m. ET with a game against the New York Guardians.
Former Florida WR Antonio Callaway joins XFL team
Former Florida WR Antonio Callaway joins XFL team
Former Florida Gators wide receiver Antonio Callaway will be getting another chance in professional football, but not in the NFL.
On Thursday evening, the XFL’s Tampa Bay Vipers announced that they had claimed Callway off of waivers for the upcoming season, which is set to begin in February. This could represent a fresh start for Callaway after enduring off-field issues at the NFL level.
Callaway was with the Cleveland Browns as recently as the 2019 season, but he was waived from the team on Nov. 14 because he wasn’t showing up on time to meetings or practices. Even if the Browns hadn’t waived Callaway, he still was looking at a 10-game suspension for his use of a “tainted CBD product.”
The former Browns wideout missed the start of the 2019 season because he was serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. At the time, Callaway shouldered the blame for his actions and stated that he’d like to earn back the trust that he’d lost.
"I take full responsibility for my actions," Callaway said in a press release back in September. "I made a mistake and I own that. I have taken steps to make myself better and I appreciate the Browns standing by me and supporting me during this time. I know there's nothing I can say to regain trust; it will all be about my actions."
Callaway has struggled with off-field issues throughout his career, dating back to his time at Florida. While with the Gators, Callaway missed the entire 2017 season due to an identity and credit card fraud scandal. During the NFL Combine, Callaway produced a diluted drug test. That’s why, despite his incredible ability, Callaway fell to the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Callaway was a four-star recruit and the No. 43 wide receiver in the 2015 signing class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Callaway played two full seasons at Florida, and he caught 89 passes for 1,399 yards and seven touchdowns in his collegiate career. Callaway was also a fantastic weapon in the special teams game as he returned two kicks and one punt for a touchdown at the college level.
After getting several chances with the Browns, Callaway now has an opportunity to revitalize his career with the Vipers in the XFL. He’ll have former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray throwing to him, and he’ll be playing alongside former Florida teammates Mack Brown, Martez Ivey, DeAndre Goolsby, and Cece Jefferson.
The Vipers kick off their inaugural season on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 2:00 p.m. ET with a game against the New York Guardians.