Returning Showboats eager for first year of the UFL

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Memphis Showboats season is just days away.

The first season of the newly merged United Football League.

But while so many things are new to the Showboats this year, a few things have remained the same including the return of wide receiver Vinny Papale.

Last season in Memphis, Papale had 33 receptions for 345 yards and three touchdowns. Numbers he looks to build on with the new look Showboats when they open the season Sunday in Houston against the Roughnecks.

“We had a long camp, four weeks and we have a nice offense. I mean, it’s a big install and there’s a lot of cool things that we’re going to do. It’s very versatile,” Papale said. “I think they’re going to put a lot of guys in favorable positions. I think that’s the best part about our offense is that they can sort of get guys in the match-ups that they want. It’s going to be fun and I think we’re going to have a very high powered offense for the whole season. That’s going to be fun to watch.”

Papale’s goal remains the NFL but could the Olympics also be in his future?

“Just a couple of months ago, I was actually in Italy.  They brought me over there and, potentially, gonna have me play on the flag football team in the Olympics in 2028.”

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