FMIA Guest: Paul Burmeister On USFL Being A ‘Fork In The Road’ For Players And What’s Next For Upstart League

Peter King is on vacation until July 18, and he lined up some guest writers to fill his Monday spot on Football Morning in America. Today’s guest is Paul Burmeister, a play-by-play voice and studio host for NBC Sports.

The United States Football League just became the first alternative spring football league in 20 years to make it through a season. I was in Birmingham for all 10 weeks of the USFL regular season to call games for NBC. I had insight into every part of the league and got to know many of the players, coaches and administrators. 

Peter King told me: “You’re just the guy to put a wrap on the USFL regular season.”

I am? I’m used to football. I’m used to communicating. But capturing the three-month experience in long-form writing? This is a new challenge. 

Remember that feeling from college: long paper due, lots of agonizing about how to do it. Is this excitement or angst? Will I ever get it done? But hey, when you’re 51, anything that can make you feel like you’re 21 again is a good thing.

NBC SPORTS: USFL Video Highlights & Archive

I needed a plan, a way to make sense of my experience. In the column, I’ll answer the questions, “What is the USFL?” and “What will the USFL become?” Along the way, I’ll share insights on the rules, broadcasts and players who you may see this fall in the NFL. 

Let’s roll. 

I was in Birmingham in early April, a couple weeks before the season started, to gather info and develop relationships. When asking about schemes and calls and plans with quarterbacks and coordinators and administrators, I would also ask, “What is the USFL?”

I liked best the answer from Daryl Johnston, the USFL’s Executive VP of Football Operations, former Dallas Cowboys fullback and current FOX NFL Analyst:

“It’s