Francis Bernard, a former Herriman High School star football and basketball player, made an appearance in the XFL championship game. This is a highlight of a long and winding career.

“Having played in championship games at Utah this is just a cherry on top. It is everything a pro wants to play for,” Bernard said.

At Herriman, he starred as a linebacker and running back. He was a two-time all-state honoree. He scored 15 touchdowns, 24 tackles and had four interceptions his senior season. 

After his high school graduation, he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and then returned to play one season at BYU. His transfer to Utah, although controversial, allowed him to flourish and have an opportunity in the NFL.

“I still have friends from college who are playing in the NFL or who have played there,” Bernard said.

At BYU he ran for 58 yards and a touchdown in the Las Vegas Bowl against Utah. In his freshman season he scored 7 touchdowns. He then decided to transfer farther north to the University of Utah.

His transfer to Utah shifted his attention to the defensive side of the football. He played in 12 games as a junior including his first Pac-12 championship game against Washington. In his senior season, he started all 14 games and was named first-team Pac-12. He was Pac-12 player of the week when on Aug. 29, 2019, he intercepted BYU quarterback Zach Wilson for a pick-six touchdown. 

His college experience led to a contract with the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL. He played in 21 games over his two years with the team. During that time he recorded 10 solo tackles.

The young linebacker has made it a point throughout his career to never give up. He has always followed his dreams. He competed in the XFL championship game on May 13. He has hopes of impressing NFL scouts.

“I am going to play as long as I can,” he said.

His team, the DC Defenders, lost in the title game 35-26 to the Arlington Renegades. He recorded seven tackles in the loss.

The XFL consists of eight teams. The season runs from February to May. It was originally founded in 2001 by WWF’s Vince McMahon and its broadcast partner NBC. It featured rules modifications and hype items like microphones on its players. The league failed and reportedly lost over $35 million. It folded after its inaugural season. 

The snake-bitten league announced a rebuild for the 2020 season. They played five games in that season before the remainder was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They filed for bankruptcy and closed the league doors in April 2020.

In May of 2022, the league announced a new partnership and a starting date in 2023. This season included 10 games for each team and games being televised on ABC.

Bernard’s team finished the year with a 9-1 record. 

He led the team with 51 tackles and forced a game-clinching fumble against St. Louis. 

“We put this together with an opportunity given to us by the league presidents and owners,” DC Defenders head coach Reggie Barlow said in a pre-championship game press release.

Despite his success in the XFL, Bernard hopes to find a place with an NFL team.λ