TAMPA, FL. - Quinton Flowers knows only one speed – fast.
- Drafted by Vipers in first XFL Draft
- Holds 42 USF Football records
- Led USF to 2-1 record in bowl games
While Power 5 schools wanted him to play anywhere but quarterback, he chose USF. One big reason: they both identified as hungry underdogs.
“I’m always a guy who wants to go somewhere and make a change,” said Flowers. “I don’t want to be like everybody else. I just want to be different and always leave a legacy.”
Flowers left behind the greatest career in program history – highlighted by 3 bowl appearances and 42 USF Football records.
“It got to a point where guys just got tired of losing and people talking down about USF,” said Flowers. “We wanted to give these fans and the Tampa community something to be happy about; something to cheer about.”
And cheer they did.
Flowers orchestrated an offense that ranked top ten in the nation in 2016 and 2017. Both seasons led to unforgettable wins in the Birmingham Bowl. When it came time for Flowers to go to the NFL…teams kept their distance. He spent one season with the Cincinnati Bengals…but now has the chance to return to his dynamic ways in his adopted city.
“I always felt like I would be back home. I just didn’t know when,” said Flowers. “God gave me this opportunity to be part of this new team, new league and start all over again and get a fresh start.”
That team is the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL. Their goal is to play exciting football that can bring fans to Ray Jay outside the NFL season. Vipers coach Marc Trestman knew Flowers would be a perfect fit.
“He can do a lot of different things really well,” said Trestman. “He is explosive, he is exciting, and people around here know him and have seen him play.”
Flowers will have the opportunity to play all over in the Vipers offense. Starting quarterback and Tampa native Aaron Murray (Plant), knows Flowers is a rare talent.
“You get the ball on a swing route, you put him at quarterback and let him throw it or put him at quarterback in wildcat,” said Murray, who said the two have thrown the ball around since meeting Day One at the team hotel. “He can do zone read. Whatever you want to do he is going to make dudes miss and he is going to make some big plays for us this season.”
The XFL is determined to showcase top talent that is on the cusp of an NFL team calling for their services. For Quinton Flowers he embraces this chance. But no matter what…he hopes to be a good teammate and a good person.
“My thing is to just always try to help others,” said Flowers.
The NFL experience gave Quinton Flowers perspective. The XFL is giving him the ability to re-establish his football dreams. And he’ll get to do it in Tampa Bay – the place that is proud to embrace him as its adopted son.