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Reassuring words Hitmen promise that XFL won't be a 'gimmick league'
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- The only image many fans have so far of the new XFL football league comes from television commercials depicting footballs being fired from rocket launchers, and nearly nude cheerleaders wandering around somewhat confused in a steamy locker room. But come kickoff time in February, the coach and quarterback of the New York-New Jersey Hitmen promise to establish some instant credibility for their upstart league, a partnership between the World Wrestling Federation and NBC television. "Yes, you're seeing half-naked women," admitted Hitmen head coach Rusty Tillman, the former Washington Redskins special-tamers and longtime Seattle Seahawks assistant coach. "But the point is we're going after a male audience from 13 to 35 years old. There are no questions about it. "I know some people are offended by it, but let's take the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders," Tillman said. "Do you think sex has anything to do with that? At least [WWF chief] Vince McMahon is being honest about it. Men like cheerleaders. So we'll have beautiful ones. I don't see anything wrong with a guy enjoying cheerleaders." Tillman also acknowledges he's heard skepticism from others that the XFL is a made-for-TV "gimmick league." He recently sent letters to all 70 players on the Hitmen's preliminary roster addressing the point. "In no way is there any phoniness about this league," he said. "It's real football with a few rule changes to make it more enjoyable. I was very skeptical when they called me and asked me to interview. But once I got there and met with Vince McMahon and the other people involved and saw what they could do, there was no question in my mind this will be a very successful league." Tillman said the prospect of being a head coach was the determining factor for him in joining the XFL. "I made more as an assistant in the NFL, but for me, being a head coach and doing things the way I wanted to do them was too much for me to pass up," he said. "We're having a lot of fun, and working our butts off." The Hitmen will eventually have about 15 or so players with some level of NFL experience, although none of the players will be household names, Tillman said. Take their quarterback, Charles Puleri. The former New Mexico State starter signed with the Dallas Cowboys in March, was released before training camp, then brought back in just before the end of camp, and cut again. Puleri attributes his near-miss to the Cowboys' acquisition of quarterback Randall Cunningham, which bumped him to fourth on a three-man depth chart. A longtime Bronx, N.Y., resident, Puleri says the cold weather of February and March home games won't bother him. Nor will media scrutiny in the New York-New Jersey area. "I grew up reading the New York tabloids, so I know what to expect," hen said. "There should be no problem there." In his senior year, Puleri said, he completed 190 of 330 passes for approximately 2,800 yards and 18 touchdowns. "I never gave up the dream of playing professional football," he said. "They'll have to drag me off the field. I'm a local guy who had a dream and worked hard, and is going to try to win some football games."
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