Purdue coach Jeff Brohm excited for the XFL's return

After his time in the NFL fizzled out and before his coaching career began, Jeff Brohm spent an infamous season as a quarterback in the XFL, Vince McMahon’s short-lived attempt at a professional football league.

Brohm, now the head coach at Purdue, was the quarterback for the Orlando Rage and once took a huge hit that sent him to the hospital. Brohm returned from the hospital, stood on the sideline in a neck brace and somehow returned to action the next week.

When a sideline reporter asked how he returned to action so soon, Brohm gave an answer that has been one of the lasting moments from the league’s lone season of action.

With the XFL now slated to return in 2020, Brohm tweeted out the video of his answer.

Reporter: “Jeff Brohm, how in the world are you starting this game tonight after taking that hit just six days ago?”

Brohm: “Well, let me answer that question by asking you two questions. One, is this or is this not the XFL? Yes, it is. Two, do I or do I not currently have a pulse? Yes, I do. Let’s play football.”

Here’s the full context of Brohm’s words, including footage of the big hit he sustained.

Brohm, who led Purdue to its first bowl win since 2011 in his first season with the program, seems excited for the league’s return.

And when he looks back on that braggadocious moment from 17 years ago, he’s got no regrets.

“You know what? There were no curse words,” Brohm told SB Nation in July. “There was nothing derogatory. It was a little over the top, and it was a little staged, so to speak. But you know what? It was in the fun-loving atmosphere of the game, and it was trying to get the fans and the team going a little bit. Of all things, since where I’ve been, I’m all for swagger and personality. As long as our guys are respecting the game and not getting any penalties, they can do what they need to do.”

– – – – – – –

Sam Cooper is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!