The USFL kicked off its 2022 season over the weekend, though perhaps the most notable bit of news out of the league was a personnel decision involving a former Michigan standout, a 60-year-old head coach and chicken salad.
Running back De’Veon Smith, who ran for over 2,000 yards and 22 touchdowns in four seasons with the Wolverines from 2013 to ’16, was let go by the Pittsburgh Maulers for apparently violating the code of conduct set by head coach Kirby Wilson. In a video showing Smith receiving the news from Wilson, it becomes clear that the violation in question stems from, as Wilson viewed it, a “disrespectful” interaction between Smith and a team staff member who was serving lunch.