St. Louis BattleHawks vs. San Antonio Brahmas | XFL on ESPN | Full Game Highlights

Check out these highlights from the first Sunday XFL matchup of the 2023 season between the St. Louis BattleHawks and San Antonio Brahmas. The Hawks came back from a 15-3 deficit with just 3 minutes remaining to beat the Brahmas, 18-15, after an emphatic 4th-quarter effort pushed St.Louis on top.
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[@AdrianH53]

Being at the game, the energy was INCREDIBLE! Crazy comeback from the Battlehawks!

[@LARRYCAL]

It was a lot of fun to watch too. I was pulling for SA. I like the stoops team but I was pulling for y’all today. Wish y’all would have won but like I said it was fun

[@alanwylie7207]

Were there any St. Louis fans there? It kind of sounded like it but I couldn’t be sure.

[@mr.garryproudgoalonggetalo7711]

Them tickets better had been free. Ain't no way someone paying for a minor league football game. Lmao

[@BruceWaynesFactory]

@@mr.garryproudgoalonggetalo7711 get a grip dude, I mt looks really fun, what’s wrong with the NFL having a g league? More football.

[@KingDonaldFirstofhisname]

@@mr.garryproudgoalonggetalo7711 Worse than minor league. Gimmick league

[@chrisazor]

The final two minutes, battlehawks score 15 points. That 4th and 15 on sidekick play was an extraordinary example of the XFL rules. Having a Sky judge (Dean blandino) plus transparent review process is fundamental, at this point

[@joshuamarvin2239]

nfl is filled with republicans white men. they want power & greed not fairness & fun lol..

[@jda5924]

Gotta love it

[@yrvanmichel1446]

NFL will steal most of this. But they will never let you behind the scenes like the xfl for the sky judge. That's too transparent for them

[@Positive11929]

The sky judge sure is.

[@maxiancambridge668]

This game is the perfect marketing for the XFL and it's differing rules , wow what a game 💯👍❗

[@2DOLLARRIP]

I swore this wouldn't work. I was wrong. That was a freaking awesome, entertaining game! I am humbled and will absolutely watch next week. If I get another good game weekend, I'll buy some merch! Thanks to whomever for bringing this back!

[@LARRYCAL]

I think the Rock is part owner

[@BruceWaynesFactory]

@@LARRYCAL yep, I think he’s majority owner now

[@yutoob6181]

The Rock brought it back

[@Killacam1992]

Both teams uniforms are pretty fire

[@tylorkenniston1192]

@@yutoob6181 he really is the people’s champ

[@benhicksbass]

The 4th and 15 onside kick rule is amazing. So much more suspenseful than an normal onside kick

[@hstone39]

I like that rule too. I was also thinking of another rule they can use. I thinking of a rule where a team can advance the football to about the 45 yard line but the team has to use 2 timeouts to do that. Sort of like how basketball advances the ball pass half court. That would make the game more interesting. I like how the XFL are willing to try new things to make the game more competitive.

[@AnthonyMcNeil]

Ever since the NFL changed the onside kick rule, it really ruined it. That 4th and 15 is really cool.

[@georgeferrier9461]

Yeah I want that in the NFL.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Wow! Best non-NFL pro game in years! Great to see a solid crowd too!

[@mrbow50001]

LA Wildcats vs Tampa Bay Vipers in 2020 XFL was also really good

[@jummyran]

@@mrbow50001 2020 XFL was amazing but I think this may be better idk. I know 2020 would of lasted had great crowds. Xfl is old people know it’s name so that helps. Has name recognition

[@troll-fx2zc]

The XFL is way better than the NFL

[@Elipsis150]

San Antonio has always been snubbed by the NFL and other pro sports for some reason. I figured a pro football team would draw well here.

[@metallifreak100]

24,245 was the attendance. Very solid for a non-NFL game with a brand new team.

[@joshmiles5235]

Please add XFL stats to ESPN. It's weird that you don't have them on there.

[@johnny2lit521]

Agreed

[@batmanmotherfucker]

Why would they waste time tracking stats for a league that will be gone in a couple years?

[@joshmiles5235]

@@batmanmotherfucker cuz it’s gonna be around for a little longer than a couple of years my brother in Christ

[@phillyfrak2462]

Yeah how they going to show highlights on here but not care enough to post stats

[@joeyjr3827]

They have stats for each team on the XFL app if you want to see them there

[@billsmafia-ei3rs]

3 games, 2 amazing comebacks. This year is going to be something special

[@princeboateng694]

DC Defender came back as well! Shields up!!

[@kimchi2780]

The crowds in Dallas and SA were loud too.

[@brandonwilliam2618]

And in dc

[@sethmorgan833]

XFL 2.0 in 2020 was really good until Covid killed it. XFL 3.0 is off to a really good start. Game play was good, and the crowds were loud every game.

[@salvadoralvarez4129]

And further years must be better 🤞😁

[@dakotahwelch1714]

You can tell San Antonio has been needing and wanting a football team for awhile!!! The energy they are showing is incredible!!

[@Stealth7596]

When they had that AAF team that stadium was PACKED

[@SavagePatch115]

@@Stealth7596 The Commanders were pulling more than the Brahmas are now though. Wonder why

[@nickjamesolmos3325]

@@SavagePatch115 cause people feel jipped from buying a full season game package and the league collapsing in on it self half way thru with no refunds in sight.

[@kimjunguny]

@@SavagePatch115 i mean 24k seats filled in the alamodome for a new team is crazy.

[@puddinsocksplayscallofduty508]

@@SavagePatch115 Actually no for the first game it was near tied for attendance.

[@Kinglore2000]

What a comeback by the Battlehawks. Ka-Kaw!!!

[@Thebepob]

😂

[@batmanmotherfucker]

Stop it.

[@gavincampbell7488]

KA-KAW!!! 🦅

[@cambernazzani12]

Josh gordon bouta smoke that battle hawk pack tmrw night

[@sethturner4580]

@@cambernazzani12 this aged well 🤣🤣🤣

[@KELLZdaLOUTheProducer]

What a great game! Being from St. Louis I’m happy we have football 🏈 back in our city again!!! Great job Battlehawks!!!! 1-0

[@jummyran]

One of the coolest looking teams I ever saw. Look, logo, name are all amazing 👍

[@blakeharris58]

Kakaw!

[@Boogaboioringale]

Ditto. I’m also from the Lou.

[@grayfox3635]

I was hoping for overtime, but that Battlehawks comeback at the end was even better. What a great start to the season!

[@instantimpact2064]

I wanna see an overtime so bad

[@LARRYCAL]

@@instantimpact2064 what’s the overtime supposed to be like?

[@mrbow50001]

@@LARRYCAL 3 round alternating 2 point conversion attempts, if the game is still tied then it's sudden death single rounds. basically football's version of an ice hockey shootout

[@LARRYCAL]

@@mrbow50001 sounds like fun

[@sterlingburton5107]

St. Louis is a football city. What a statement at the end.

[@johnmarshall4399]

That's nuts it's a cards town

[@trigggl]

That's what people who aren't from St. Louis keep saying. Don't know how that matters in the part of the year the Cards aren't playing.

[@nathanielyoung8749]

💯

[@emoo.182]

A time to be proud to be from St Louis. What a comeback it was so awesome :)

[@tripwire5590]

Wow what a comeback by the Battlehawks! This is what the XFL is all about! Love the option to try and convert a 4th and 15 instead of an onside kick makes it so interesting!!

[@jummyran]

Agree I kinda hope nfl doesn’t copy to many rules from xfl or Usfl I love how different these leagues are from college and nfl

[@Bluecommando10]

Hyped. XFL has a bunch of great rules that makes the game even more exciting. Love it

[@ReySmush]

This crowd is awesome!! Love to see football yr around! Big fan of the movement! Keep the xfl and usfl alive!!

[@tvac200]

most of the game was really dull. but those last 2 minutes were some of the most electrifying football we've seen all year, including the NFL!

[@TheTwoIrishBrothersShow]

I wouldn't say dull. It was really good defense.

[@jummyran]

@@TheTwoIrishBrothersShow I agree

[@diagastar7261]

I agree with the Irishman, I enjoy good defensive football. It wasn't anyone being bad necessarily, just stout D

[@sting6ph]

absolutely insane game...BattleHawks better fix their O Line fast

[@kennethpoole5354]

It's not just them but all the teams only had like a 5 week practice and no preseason

[@blakeharris58]

By week 4 the o-lines should gel. They were thrown together after Christmas.

[@MrSpecialone0848]

Roughnecks fan here, been waiting since the cancellation in 2020 for this league to return. What an excellent opening weekend. All the teams look competitive. Happy to see the Battlehawks return to form and San Antonio looked strong throughout. Looking forward to next week!

[@ibekingape]

The texas vs texas games will be a blast to watch

[@jummyran]

Battle of Texas three dang teams lol

[@brents4225]

A lot of talent in the XFL. High level athletes still very exciting to watch. Im watching all season.

[@jummyran]

2020 was awesome as well. But covid ruined everything. It definitely would of lasted.

[@brentduanefoster]

Me too!

[@brentduanefoster]

Man, ALL respect due to the St. Louis Battlehawks!! That comeback was CRAZY!!! But, I got a feeling that San Antonio’s gonna bounce back from this one.

[@FluffyBunny9002]

I have no reason to like the Battlehawks, but I just kinda picked them to be the team I'd root for in 2020, and I was happy to see they were one of the returning teams. This game was a great start to the season. Looking forward to more.

[@Psyantic]

Im a panthers fan, so my reason was to keep blue with blue ya know, and i think the logo was pretty cool lmao

[@FluffyBunny9002]

@user-tr7lk2gg9b I'm an Eagles fan, but my brother was a Rams fan while they were in St. Louis, so I used to pull for them a little because of him. I think maybe because they're the St. Louis team, I subconsciously make that association. That, and there's no Philadelphia team, so, yeah. Once I like a team, I'm pretty much locked in, though. So if I become a fan, I'm staying a fan, even if Philly comes to the league. Lol.

[@jummyran]

@@FluffyBunny9002 probably because they have one of the best looking logos, name, and colors. Them and renegades when I saw them in 2020 I was hooked. Still need to order some battlehawks gear.

[@elizabitty213]

Great start to the season! Loving the XFL so far! ❤

[@jummyran]

True it was great in 2020. Rock just picked it up nicely where Vince left off.

[@elizabitty213]

@@jummyran I didn’t pay much attention the first time but I’m happy to have done now

[@chrisx5127]

@@elizabitty213 St. Louis was about to get 60K fans (tickets sold) then Covid happened the same week. It was really painful!

[@elizabitty213]

@@chrisx5127 oh wow yeah! I didn’t even put two and two together the first time I saw the year 😦

[@jummyran]

@@elizabitty213 oh ya it’s a great league. 2020 had great crowds so did 2001. The original wasn’t close as good but 2020 would of lived.

[@enigma0165]

It's actually fun watching football in late February. I wish philadelphia had a xfl team too

[@mikeedwards9984]

Yeah me too

[@jasonphillips3796]

These games have been so entertaining to watch! I’m so happy to see the XFL is finally back!!!

[@jummyran]

Same loved it from 3 years sgo

[@jasonphillips3796]

@@jummyran yeah I was so upset when the league got shut down… but so happy with the product so far!

[@jummyran]

@@jasonphillips3796 it looks like they never skipped a beat. Looks as good or better then 2020.

[@jasonphillips3796]

@@jummyran I totally agree!

[@reedbunnell8154]

Wow. I didn't know what to expect from this league, but that was an incredibly exciting 4th quarter! Some interesting rules that make comebacks a little easier which makes the game more exciting. It's also nice to see St. Louis have a pro football team again. Go Battlehawks!

[@BigJohnKC]

So happy it's back, live your dream men and reach the stars🙏🏼

[@DanNguyen-ey5tw]

What a comeback! Im just happy we get spring football and the first week of games have been so much fun to watch.

[@jummyran]

Was sad when covid shut it down

[@louieo.blevinsmusic4197]

Found my team. (cause of 3x BCS Champ AJ McCarron) Can’t wait for the XFL to expand with more teams but I’ll watch, along with the USFL, either way.

[@jummyran]

Same I don’t understand the haters really weird. This looks just as good as 2020 was. Vince be proud

[@ethangill9437]

These two cities deserved pro football teams. I can't wait to see my Battlehawks play in St. Louis. Amazing comeback to start the season undefeated!

[@jummyran]

Tickets are selling fast and the first home game is still 2 weeks away

[@curbchurch1714]

Congrats to the XFL for putting on a GREAT opening weekend. The games were close. The TV presentation was really good. I'm very impressed with the whole COMMAND CENTER with Dean Blandino. He did a great job. These teams only had 5 weeks in camp. Had little contact and no preseason games. So the qbs were a little off. But overall I enjoyed every game. LETSGOROUGHNECKS!!!

[@jummyran]

Xfl 2020 was amazing also. This would of lasted easily let’s hope for no pandemics

[@olliebramm4586]

KA KAW!!!! The Battlehawks are the pride of Missouri!

[@tylerfarmer534]

I have to say, I was worried how this would do off covid. If it wasnt for all star weekend a lot more people would be talking about how fun these games were. Crowds at all four sites were also great. Can’t wait to see this league grow

[@superbowlchampmathewstaffo2367]

I love that we have St Louis football back!!!

[@LuckyPWA]

Big fan of the XFL. games are very fun to watch even this one when it was a defensive game it was still fun.

[@BrokeSpike]

I like the live mic'd up bit on the QBs. Being able to hear their reactions, especially to the game winning TD it just adds a bit more emotion to the game.

[@hammamorris6613]

I love that 4th and 15 rule made it an exciting finish!

[@kylecriswell1053]

Incredible game. I’m all in for the XFL. I’ll be watching all season. I really hope this league sticks!!!

[@jummyran]

It would fee years ago but ya covid

[@ryanr4156]

Battlehawks are back!!! St Louis missed you. Rams who?

[@porterland2395]

A great battle between what’s probably the two biggest markets in the XFL, great attendance by San Antonio!

[@jummyran]

Seattle and Orlando will be insane also

[@leandroramos3041]

Taking teams out of NY and LA was a great call

[@chrisx5127]

@@leandroramos3041 Yup LA is a no go for me.

[@MarloSoBalJr]

Trust me, STL is gonna be a madhouse.

[@jummyran]

@@MarloSoBalJr it’s almost sold out and the first home game is like two weeks away.

[@StunnafulPhotography]

XFL....I'm diggin it! 😄

[@primetimefrye]

Go Battlehawks!!!! great game

[@gregorygabaylo4549]

WHAT AN AMAZING GAME! XFL HAVE WON MY HEART ❤️ CONGRATULATIONS 🏆

[@lil_v839nicholasv7]

As a Falcon fan I love seeing AJ and Brian Hill!!! Always was a fan of Hill in the ATL! LETS GO STL!!!

[@FalconsGirl1]

I knew those names was familiar ❤ too hard

[@coverkillernation]

Really love how ESPN is handling coverage and explaining things for new viewers. Good show!

[@daves.5301]

Man what an ugly start on ofense. Good to see the team not quit! Ka Kaw! LET'S GO! Stole a game. Now let get a full game going next time!

[@11dirtburner11]

Excellent highlights, really captured the whole feel of the game

[@jtewr1860]

Amazing opening weekend got me excited for what’s to come

[@shawnbrisk4523]

Kaw Is Law!! I see this XFL going to be big!

[@jrg5315]

That was a great game. The QB for STL stepped up so much in the 4th Quarter and so did the defense too making plays. Great comeback by the Battle hawks.

[@MarloSoBalJr]

AJ McCarron was once a starter for the Cincinnati Bengals, so I'm not the least bit surprised by that performance. STL is the truth in the XFL

[@jummyran]

@@MarloSoBalJr gorgeous team. Logo name and colors all are perfect 👍

[@darrenwilson9895]

I missed this whole weekend so Im watching these highlights but the XFL definitely something to watch I only watched 2 games from the 2020 season

[@barberq210]

Football in San Antonio was absolutely needed !!

[@brandonshelby1448]

The game was legit exciting!!! Looking forward to seeing more from the XFL

[@OG_E4609]

Helluva finish!! Wishing success to XFL part 3 lol

[@kevinmiller2210]

Both St Louis and San Antonio deserve a NFL team.

[@BernadetteCurtis-yd7rf]

Great start to the season! Loving the XFL so far!

[@mr.matthewriley6258]

The battle hawks and rough necks are the teams I'm going for!

[@LARRYCAL]

The Houston team looks pretty hood so far I think they beat Arlington next week. I hope not but I think they do

[@mr.matthewriley6258]

I'm ready for week 2 now

[@AaronBrown2015]

This a good quality football! Wishing the best for the future of the XFL!

[@WalkerKinsler]

KAW IS THE LAW

[@vernontk]

Two cities that should really have NFL teams. The fans got a great game.

[@jashanestone]

Outside of hearing Steven A's voice at the end, who doesn't want more football? This is an epic comeback story. For St Louis and The XFL 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🔥🔥🔥

[@rosschirstopher]

Incredible comeback! Loved this game

[@SaturmornCarvilli]

Both teams looked fantastic this game.

[@kevrolld]

GO BRAHMAS!💛🖤

[@ttechnique22]

AJ always been a winner!

[@tomatkinson4880]

When the Battle Hawks made that first touchdown in my head I was like "well hey maybe we'll see the XFL really at play" and when it started happening I got amped. This is what it was supposed to be like and it delivered.

[@Baxterbees0n]

It’s crazy how a 12 point lead can vanish with less than two minutes left in the xfl! I’m very excited to watch how the rest of this season will unfold!

[@djwolfenstien305]

We need an XFL video game.

[@Gulag00]

He Hate Me on the cover

[@chrisx5127]

@@Gulag00 No. None of that XFL 1.0 garbage.

[@mattfrommo2483]

Here is where 2K steps in. NFL 2K5 was one of the best games ever. Update with the new XFL

[@djwolfenstien305]

@@mattfrommo2483 If there is an XFL video game. It needs a DEEP franchise mode, an interesting and fun career mode, an awesome half time show and presentation, and I swear it better have PHYSICS BASED gameplay like All Pro 2K8

[@STEEZY_TREV16]

@@djwolfenstien305 Basically just everything Madden hasn't been for the last decade or so. Maybe then EA will finally feel the pressure to make a half-decent game

[@CyruzDgamer]

A solid finish, the 4th and 15 rule allows for the end of game semantics to be thrilling.

[@Zerpix-]

What a comeback

[@tbone5267]

The ending of this game was really good, I love the rules of the XFL. It was cool to see that interview at the end of the game with McCarron, it was nice to see that raw emotion to play in front of his family.

[@JamesonZalayet]

BATTLEHAWKS TO THE CHIP

[@justindirrty]

Wow gran partido y muy buena remontada de AJ Mc. Saludos desde Mexico 🇲🇽

[@jummyran]

Any XFL fans down in Mexico ?

[@eddyr_dev]

Yep

[@IvanSanchez101]

Kaw is the Law with the comeback. Way to go, boys.

[@alexcouch22]

If the games are going to be like this. They are on to something

[@OGBlackNGold]

Amazing finish💪🏾💯

[@CHRISPYakaKON]

Dang what a game 🔥🔥🔥

[@jwetfrmdalocks305]

This was Dope 🔥

[@andreflack]

For this game to start out as slow as it did it actually turned out to be one of the better games of the week. I was hoping it went into overtime so we could see how they did overtime in the XFL.

[@theemrroboto]

The XFL is here to stay.

[@scotmhead]

Games like this make me happy to be an XFL fan.

[@juicyfartsofjimcornette1154]

Tough win for the BattleHawks. But it's certainly gives them a good edge when they make their home debut in week 4. As for San Antonio, this certainly hurts, but the support from the ol' AAF Commanders is there. Also, helps that the Spurs have to tank for the forseeable future. The Brahmas and BattleHawks are going to be the crown jewels of the XFL. Good luck to both.

[@2MURPH]

Awesome weekend of XFL 💯💪🏾

[@scottfarley3644]

Incredible!

[@mariomario7379]

This looks amazing. I need more football!

[@TheSilentMajorityNation]

THE XFL IS BACK!!! AND WE'RE READY FOR IT TO STAY!

[@smyleg3586]

That was insane!

[@Certified_gainster]

Being that I am old enough to watch the original league … This is really good football and I hope it succeeds and becomes another path for guys to make a living playing football…

[@lemikehendrix357]

This very outstanding...

[@billsmaniac2104]

Good game men. That’s only one. We’ll get it together for the next one. Go Brahmas!!

[@diagastar7261]

You guys really did dominate us for 3 and a half quarters. I'll have to watch a few more games to see if our Oline is bad or your Dline is great

[@billsmaniac2104]

I think your O line is fine. We ran straight through your D line though. I like our run game so far.

[@mynameiswilllivingston]

Great crowd and game! The rules are honestly sick

[@Liquidsunn87]

B-Hawk O-line is terrible but, good comeback win.

[@sanbell]

KaKaw is the f’n law!!

[@diagastar7261]

Incredible

[@allmightylowercasejay1138]

Remember this is week 1 all the players and coaches are still getting use to the new rules and the options they have so the play can only get better as the season goes

[@jasonking6892]

Good Game ..Go STL👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@daseanchandler5376]

XFL IS LEGIT I LOVE IT

[@mirandasummerset]

XFL is off to a GREAT start for a 3rd time only hope the fan support is enough to make this league last, I LOVED the 2nd version with Vince tbh

[@andrewwhipple1507]

Wow! This is some great XFL football.

[@kashakamcpherson9719]

Incredible comeback