–The Dragons were given a pair of gifts during their midweek practice as the team geared up to get back on track against XFL West division leaders Houston Roughnecks (4-0) this weekend.
Decked in a leather jacket and wearing a neck brace, Dragons defensive back Mohammed Seisay walked into Seattle Memorial Stadium
in good spirits after suffering a gruesome season-ending neck injury during last week’s 23-16 loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks.
Seisay choosing to attend practice soon after suffering a serious injury show why he was able to make impact on the defense in such a short time together.
“It’s huge. It’s really humbling. Obviously we all saw the hit. Mo’s been a guy who come every day with a smile on his face ready to work,” Iqwebuike said. “A really great and talented player. A great teammate, so you hate to see something like that happen.”
Despite coming back-to-back losses and falling to 1-4 on the season, there couldn’t have been a better day than the Northwest sun and a tremendous surprise to help brighten up the week as the Dragon prepare for the Houston trip. More fulfilling was the sight of Seisay conversing with teammates.
Seisay moved seamlessly through the position groups where teammates came up to greet him and show their love for someone they have grinded with for months as they prepared for the inaugural season of the XFL. The heart to be there after losing the chance at one more time to play a sport deeply loved, a feeling one shared by all on the field, knowing that time can be shorter than what any could perceive.
But here was a player making a greater impact on the team that transcended the game and creating a real-world effect outside of football.
“To see him as he continues to respond and just – you know he doesn’t have to be out here. He could have just stayed home in bed,” Igwebuike said. “For him to come out here and show his face goes to show what kind of character and guy he is. It definitely reminds us of how bless we are to be out here using our god given talents. It’s something we can’t take for granted.”
Quick notes:
- B.J. Daniels has taken over starter quarterback duties for the Dragons with Brandon Silvers early struggles and the offense failing to find any rhythm over the first four weeks. With NFL experience and a Super Bowl ring with the Seattle Seahawks (2013) as Russell Wilson’s backup, it looks to be the Tallahassee, Florida natives time to showcase what he’s learned over the last seven years.
- Seattle activated corner back Jermaine Ponder from their Team 9 roster to take the roster spot freed up when Mohammed Seisay was placed in the IR. The Saint Francis (PA) product was cut back in January but was added to the Team 9 roster before the start of the season. Ponder was added to Seattle’s roster on Monday.
- Steven Johnson enter the weekend as the XFL tackling leader with 40 over the first month of the season. Averaging 10.0 tackles a game, the Dragons linebacker has been a force for the defense each and every game this season.
