Former AAF player: 'Everything was set up the right way'

In the aftermath of the Alliance of American Football, Brandon Pertile considers himself fortunate for the experience.

Pertile, now a former offensive lineman for the short-lived league's Atlanta Legends, tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus in the sixth game of the campaign. But his injury and subsequent placement on the injured reserve list meant he was already back home in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday when the league suspended operations eight games into what was supposed to be a 10-week inaugural season.

Atlanta's players were left to return home this week on their own. They received game checks for the eighth week of the season, something Pertile said he appreciated. But those were likely the final payments of the non-guaranteed, three-year contracts players signed when they joined the new spring football league.

The three-year deal was part of the AAF's allure to a player like Pertile, who also spent some time in the Canadian Football League with the Montreal Alouettes.

"If in three years you don't get picked up onto an NFL roster, it's kind of like, OK, put the dream aside at that point," said Pertile, who played college football at Virginia and Oklahoma State. "It's kind of nice, the three-year cushion or the opportunity to see if you've got what it takes."

Pertile said he enjoyed the experience of the AAF. With the Legends, players had the option of living for free at a Marriott hotel property. (Pertile opted to get an apartment with his girlfriend and dogs.)

The team practiced at a local high school, but Pertile said the practice structure and treatment of the players were "high class."

"They did everything the right way," he said. "Guys were developing, we're getting coached by NFL coaches, everything was set up the right way."

Attendance varied from city to city. The San Antonio Commanders led the league with an average home crowd of 27,721 per game, according to NFL Draft Diamonds. Two teams, the Arizona Hotshots and Salt Lake Stallions, drew fewer than 10,000 per game.

For Pertile and his teammates, the future is uncertain. Johnny Manziel, the league's most recognizable player and quarterback for the Memphis Express, encouraged his peers to "save your money and keep your head up."

Pertile said Wednesday that some players will take this news and move on from football, while others will chase the dream - whether it's to the second iteration of the XFL, the CFL or, for some, a shot at the NFL.

Pertile will have surgery next week followed by an eight-month recovery process. After Tuesday's news, the first call he made was to make sure that his surgery would still be covered. He was relieved to find out he wouldn't have to pay for it.

Once he recovers, Pertile hopes for a chance at the NFL.

"We'll lay out options after that," he said. "Who knows how this XFL thing's going to go and of course, back to the CFL is an option."