DJ Swearinger shares why he was released by D.C. Defenders, what's his plan moving forward
Just over a year after signing with the D.C. Defenders of the UFL, formally of the XFL, former South Carolina Gamecock D.J. Swearinger announced on Tuesday night that he’s been released by the organization.
“They said they wanted to let some younger guys play. My take on it is, it’s part of the business. It’s part of life,” Swearinger shared in a post on his personal Instagram page. “You have to roll with the punches. I’m not mad about it or too bothered. I did want to play football and finish the season out but life is gonna life. You gotta roll with the punches. God has a plan.”
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Swearinger inked a deal with D.C. last April when the Defenders were still part of the XFL and made his debut less than a week later. It marked the first time that he appeared in a professional football game since December of 2020 with the New Orleans Saints. In his second game, he made his biggest XFL/UFL play to date when he returned a 62-yard interception back for a touchdown. The interception was his first since 2018 with the then known as Washington Redskins.
Including last year’s postseason, Swearinger appeared in ten games and complied 35 tackles and one interception. That included playing in all five of Defenders’ games this season.
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“I’m looking forward to what’s next. Whether it’s more football or not, I’m looking forward to the plan God has for me. I played a good eleven years of football but now I’m gonna take some time off and love on my family and love ones. (I’m gonna) continue to be the businessman and the daddy I’ve been and I will let y’all know what’s next. Stay tuned.”
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For those not as familiar with the UFL, the DC Defenders are one of eight teams in the recently resurrected professional spring league. The league consist of many former NFL, XFL, and CFL (Canadian Football League) players as well as former college players.
In 110 career NFL games, the former Gamecock racked up 425 career tackles, 4.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 43 pass breakups, and 14 interceptions. He also started in 73 of those games.
