CONCORD, Calif. (February 3, 2001) – Calvin Schexnayder, one of the Arena Football League’s most productive all-time pass receivers, was re-activated by the San Francisco Demons Friday and and will join three other wideouts on the roster when San Francisco opens the first-ever XFL season Sunday at Pacific Bell Park.
Schexnayder was the Demons’ 29th draft choice in the original player selection process in October, but had not been able to work out with San
Francisco previously. The graduate of Washington State reported to camp this week and began practicing with San Francisco Friday.
The final roster spot was created last week in hopes of filling a void at quarterback or another need on the Demons’ roster. Schexnayder joins starters James Hundon and Brian Roberson and reserve Jimmy Cunningham on San Francisco’s depth chart at wide receiver.
Schexnayder last played in the AFL in 1999 with the Arizona Rattlers and is seventh on the league’s all-time list with 470 catches and 135 touchdowns. He was a member of the San Diego Chargers’ practice roster last fall.
In addition, San Francisco activated defensive tackle Albrey Battle from the practice squad and will be available as one of two Demons’ back-up lineman, replacing Emile Palmer on the active roster.
Earlier in the week, Coach Jim Skipper said Mike Pawlawski, one of the two former California quarterbacks on the Demons’ roster, would start Sunday at 1:00 o’clock against the Los Angeles Xtreme. Pawlawski and another ex-Bear signal caller Pat Barnes have been competing for the starting job since the November mini-camp. They are the only quarterbacks on the San Francisco roster for the season opener.
The XFL practice roster is a floating list of seven players who are unable to play in the game, but are allowed to practice with the squad. That complement of players can change each week and must be designated Friday afternoon.
The intial XFL contest at Pacific Bell Park will draw a crowd of 38,000 and is the first league game to reach capacity in attendance. Tickets are still available for San Francisco’s final four games and the Demons are selling a four-game ticket package. Tickets can be reserved at 1-866-4-XFL-TIX or at www.sfdemons.com.
In addition, the Demons said Roxy Bernstein, the voice of the California Bears’ basketball and an avowed WWF viewer, will serve as the play-by-play voice of the San Francisco XFL team. He will team with former San Francisco 49er safety Merton Hanks on the non-traditional broadcast.
