Rain didn’t stop the Birmingham Stallions USFL title parade and trophy presentation [PHOTOS]

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USFL
Birmingham Stallions QB Alex McGough with Birmingham Randall Woodfin at the USFL Championship trophy presentation (Larry O. Gay)

The Birmingham Stallions had waited two years for this moment…a parade and trophy presentation.

Last year, a public celebration was not held because Birmingham was completely occupied with The World Games.

This time around, less than 18 hours after winning their 2nd straight USFL Championship title 28-12 against a pesky Pittsburgh Maulers team, they got their parade.

Downtown downpour

USFL
Birmingham Stallions Cheerleaders (Larry O. Gay)

Despite an afternoon downpour, several hundred Stallions fans lined the streets along Protective Stadium toward City Hall to say thank you to the back to back champs.

Perhaps giving one of his shortest speeches ever during his tenure as mayor, because of the impeding rain shower, a grateful Mayor Randall Woodfin presented the USFL trophy to Head Coach Skip Holtz. 

Stallions QB and USFL Most Valuable Player Alex McGough perfectly summed up what it meant to see the fans after the victory the night on prime-time national television.

“When it is pouring down rain and you still have this many people come out to support you,” McGough said shaking his head in amazement. “That’s why I play so hard.”

USFL
Birmingham Stallions Head Coach Skip Holtz with fans at the USFL Championship trophy presentation in downtown Birmingham (Larry O. Gay)

The whole Stallions organization expressed their commitment to their fans staying after the presentation as long as possible, until every last autograph was signed and picture taken.

A special moment for Coach Skip Holtz

USFL
Birmingham Stallions Head Coach Skip Holtz at the USFL Championship trophy presentation in downtown Birmingham (Nathan Watson/Bham Now))

For Head Coach Skip Holtz, it was a whirlwind weekend. He won his second straight championship, but more importantly his father, the legendary Notre Dame and South Carolina head coach Lou Holtz got to be a part of the celebration at the end of the game.

“Yesterday was the three year anniversary of the loss of my mother. To have my dad there to share it was emotional. It meant the world to me.”

What’s Next?

Stallions
Birmingham Stallions won the South Division Championship at Protective Stadium (Pat Byington/Bham Now)

The USFL announced this week they are returning for a third season. Will the Stallions three-peat? Stay tuned and GIDDY UP!

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Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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