Pro Football Hall of Fame Receives Gloves of USFL’s Victor Bolden Jr.
By Daniel May
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is home to the most exclusive collection of pro football artifacts in the world.
Housing more than 40 million pieces of history, the Hall added to its collection Saturday night after receiving a pair of game-worn gloves from Victor Bolden Jr. of the Birmingham Stallions.
“We’re very grateful for Victor’s donation to the Hall,” said Jason Aikens, head curator for the Hall of Fame. “The Hall’s primary goal is to honor the heroes of the game. Victor was a hero for his team in Saturday night’s game, so these gloves will be a great addition to our collection.”
Bolden, an all-USFL wide receiver and one of the league’s top kick returners, helped the Stallions end the night with a 31-17 win.
With 53 seconds left in the first half, Bolden returned a kick 90 yards to the house to give the Stallions a 21-14 halftime lead.
Not only did this play inject momentum into the Stallions, but it was also the first kickoff return touchdown in USFL history.
“Special teams has a huge impact in the USFL,” Bolden said in the postgame news conference. “I have an opportunity to give my team good field position every time I line up for a return.”
Immediately following the news conference, Bolden generously donated a pair of his gloves to a Hall of Fame representative. When asked about his contribution to the Hall, he expressed his thankfulness for being able to perform at such a high level.
“To have something that you wore be part of history is amazing. It’s something you can never ask for,” Bolden said.
The USFL featured several punt return touchdowns this inaugural season, but Bolden’s kick return touchdown was the first in that category.
This type of special teams involvement is just what the USFL was hoping for when it implemented several rule variations for the 2022 season. For starters, the league moved the kickoff line back to the 25 – compared to the NFL’s 35-yard-line.
“Coming into this league, I was very interested with the new kickoff rules,” Bolden said. “You are guaranteed a return on every kickoff.”
Darryn James, vice president of communications for the USFL, also spoke on the emphasis the USFL has placed on special teams, saying, “The USFL brought the excitement back to the kickoff.”
Enriching the history of the game and inspiring future players, Bolden’s gloves found a new home and will be preserved forever in Canton.
With their 31-17 victory, the Stallions return to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium this Sunday to play the Philadelphia Stars for the inaugural USFL championship.
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is home to the most exclusive collection of pro football artifacts in the world.
Housing more than 40 million pieces of history, the Hall added to its collection Saturday night after receiving a pair of game-worn gloves from Victor Bolden Jr. of the Birmingham Stallions.
“We’re very grateful for Victor’s donation to the Hall,” said Jason Aikens, head curator for the Hall of Fame. “The Hall’s primary goal is to honor the heroes of the game. Victor was a hero for his team in Saturday night’s game, so these gloves will be a great addition to our collection.”
Bolden, an all-USFL wide receiver and one of the league’s top kick returners, helped the Stallions end the night with a 31-17 win.
With 53 seconds left in the first half, Bolden returned a kick 90 yards to the house to give the Stallions a 21-14 halftime lead.
We can watch this replay all night long 🔁🐎
— Birmingham Stallions (@USFLStallions) June 26, 2022
Take a bow, @vicbolden 👏
📺: @NBCSports | @PeacockTV pic.twitter.com/eIyNFxNSOB
Not only did this play inject momentum into the Stallions, but it was also the first kickoff return touchdown in USFL history.
“Special teams has a huge impact in the USFL,” Bolden said in the postgame news conference. “I have an opportunity to give my team good field position every time I line up for a return.”
Immediately following the news conference, Bolden generously donated a pair of his gloves to a Hall of Fame representative. When asked about his contribution to the Hall, he expressed his thankfulness for being able to perform at such a high level.
“To have something that you wore be part of history is amazing. It’s something you can never ask for,” Bolden said.
The USFL featured several punt return touchdowns this inaugural season, but Bolden’s kick return touchdown was the first in that category.
This type of special teams involvement is just what the USFL was hoping for when it implemented several rule variations for the 2022 season. For starters, the league moved the kickoff line back to the 25 – compared to the NFL’s 35-yard-line.
“Coming into this league, I was very interested with the new kickoff rules,” Bolden said. “You are guaranteed a return on every kickoff.”
Darryn James, vice president of communications for the USFL, also spoke on the emphasis the USFL has placed on special teams, saying, “The USFL brought the excitement back to the kickoff.”
Enriching the history of the game and inspiring future players, Bolden’s gloves found a new home and will be preserved forever in Canton.
With their 31-17 victory, the Stallions return to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium this Sunday to play the Philadelphia Stars for the inaugural USFL championship.
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USFL Playoff teams battle for chance at title at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium
Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium played host to the inaugural USFL Playoffs this past weekend. The Philadelphia Stars beat the New Jersey Generals 19-14 in the North Division Playoff and the Birmingham Stallions captured the South Division title with a 31-17 victory over the New Orleans Breakers to close out the evening. The Stars and the Stallions will compete for the USFL Championship at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 3, at the same location.
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