As the Michigan Panthers prepare for their season opener this Sunday, former star kicker turned Detroit Lion Jake Bates is throwing his support behind the UFL.
ESPN’s Eric Woodyard put together a great look back on Bates’ journey from the UFL, or United Football League, to the NFL.
“That league did for me what it’s built for,” Bates said, per Woodyard. “It’s built to give people a stage and I was able to get that stage and without that I’m not here. So, I owe so much to the UFL and to the Panthers. Anything I can do to help that league, I’m on board with.