Strange behavior for a league that purports itself to be player-centric.
After a vicious rumor that quarterback Quinten Dormady was released by the Orlando Guardians for the alleged reason that he had leaked offensive plays to an opposing team, fans quickly noticed Dormady had been removed from the XFL web site, including his entire playing record and statistics, essentially wiping out any clue that he ever played with the league.
That seems to have been a mistake, since Dormady’s records have now been reinstated.
Vice President of Communications Jeff Altstadter said in a statement Friday to Fox News, “XFL has reinstated the Guardians’ player following ‘additional information,’ which has prompted a ‘formal investigation into the issue.'”
This is all well and good, and the league does plan a “formal investigation.” But, has anyone noticed Dormady’s name is now mud.
For a league that purports to be player friendly and markets itself as a “league of opportunity” they seem to have escorted Quentin Dormady to a place of shame, and ultimately a spot of diminished opportunity,
Whether of not the alleged play leaks took place, it seems rash to summarily fire the player before a “formal investigation” had taken place. Was Dormady fired? Apparently so, evidenced by his name being deleted from the XFL’s web pages.
The XFL needs to do better, and always remember to treat it’s players fairly. Otherwise the talk of “Player 54” and the “League of opportunity” will slide into the realm of meaningless lip service.
