For those of you XFL fans unfamiliar with the name Jerimiah Spicer, chances are you will become very familiar very quickly. Likely, it’s going to happen when you hear his name involved in every tackle for whichever team decides to take a chance on him. Once you hear his story, you will quickly understand why I am so certain he will be a difference-maker.
Jerimiah Spicer ignores the word quit to the point that it is simply inspiring. As a child, Jeremiah lived in the infamous skid row in Los Angeles. His mother, who had addiction issues, left Spicer in a trash can when he was 2. Jerimiah would wind up in foster care after this before Jerimiah’s grandmother eventually would take over custody. In 2008 his grandmother passes, leaving Jerimiah homeless. In the time that follows, Jerimiah would attend 8 different high schools, and his mother passes away in 2010. Despite his situation, Spicer managed to graduate with a 3.9 GPA.
Early in life, Jerimiah develops a passion for football, starting with pop warner at age 11, and later into high school. Despite his obvious talent as a linebacker and reputation as a hard hitter, he is unable to receive a football scholarship. This was another one of those moments where someone not named Jerimiah Spicer might have quit. Spicer attends Riverside community college in Riverside California, which allows him to continue playing football. Later, he transfers to Bethesda College of the NAIA to play football and get his college degree.
Professional Career
Not being taken in the NFL draft, Spicer could have decided to give up here. For Spicer, he goes on to play for the Cape Fear Heroes of the American Arena League in North Carolina. He excels at Arena football, earning all-league honors and a tryout with the Cleveland Browns.
Unfortunately, his first opportunity with the Browns wasn’t meant to be. He would however receive tryouts from the San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Los Angeles Rams. In 2020, Vince McMahon’s XFL 2.0 comes calling. The Los Angeles Wildcats drafted him in the fifth round of the player draft. Even though he was drafted highly, the Wildcats release Springer before the season gets underway. I’m not gonna say the phrase, because we both know that this wasn’t the end of his story.
After his release from the Wildcats, Jerimiah participated in the spring league in 2021. This league later turns into the USFL in 2022. However, Jerimiah goes undrafted in the first USFL supplemental draft. In 2021, Jeremiah plays in the Fan Controlled Football League, a league where fans choose the plays, and feature former NFL stars as team owners, such as Marshawn Lynch, Austin Ekeler, and Richard Sherman.
Tragedy Strikes again
In 2022, Jerimiah revisits his arena league roots and signs with Orlando Predators. Before he ever took the field, Jerimiah would be involved in a car accident in April. When a lady ran a red light and slammed into him, Jerimiah gets ejected from the back window, landing 123 feet from the scene of the accident. While not needing any surgery, this accident put Jerimiah on a long road to recovery.
At this point, it feels a bit redundant, but once again it took more than a car accident to keep Spicer from his dreams of professional football. After taking a year off to recover from his car accident, Spicer is gearing up for the XFL player showcase in Arizona on July 16th. Fortunately for us, Jerimiah was able to take some time from training to talk to us about his journey.
Q and A with Jerimiah
Jesse: Where have you found the resilience to keep pushing forward? You’ve faced multiple things that would have ended most people’s stories. What keeps you so laser-focused?
Jerimiah: My pain and suffering keep me going knowing I gotta do something cause if I don’t nobody’s going to do it for me. I got to change the world and my family.
Jesse: What would your advice be to the people out there who want to accomplish something out of life, but are on the edge of giving up?
Jerimiah: Even though you feel so far, you can be so close. You gotta stop worrying and feeling sorry for yourself. that’s a weakness to me, I feel like worrying blocks your blessings. Every dog has his day but If you quit you will never have yours.
Jesse: You were a fan favorite in the Fan Controlled Football League? What was it like playing a game where the fans call the plays?
Jerimiah: My NFL experience was crazy, it clicked a light bulb in my head. I can really do anything I put my mind to as long as I don’t give up.
Jesse: Tell me a little about your time with the Orlando Predators. What was the arena league experience like? What did you take away from that that helped you get ready for this opportunity?
Jerimiah: It was always a dream to play for Orlando. I’ve always loved that organization. Thankful for the opportunity. Now I’m focused on NFL, CFL, XFL, USFL, IFA. I gotta make myself proud and my mother proud may she rest in peace. I gotta Finish what I started. I got a lot of people feeding off me letting them know they can do it. They can go all the way no matter what. I’ve helped guys in Orlando on and off the field. That’s what I do it’s bigger than me.
Jesse: After your showcase on July 16th, what is the XFL gonna know undoubtedly about Jerimiah Spicer?
Jerimiah: I don’t think a guy in the league has been through more than me and I’m not giving up. I just got ejected out of a car last year flew 123 feet, and survived in Downtown Orlando Florida. I’m blessed to need no surgery I just sat out a whole yr. I want them to know I’m back and I’m here to “spice things up”