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ENROLLED ORIGINAL
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
26-68
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
July 14, 2025
To recognize and celebrate the D.C. Defenders for their triumphant victory in the 2025
UFL Championship, to commend the coaching staff, standout players, and entire
organization for their excellence, and to honor their proud and impactful representation of
the District of Columbia.
WHEREAS, the D.C. Defenders completed the 2025 regular season with a 6–4 record,
earning second place in the XFL Conference under Interim Head Coach Shannon Harris;
WHEREAS, following the mid-March departure of Head Coach Reggie Barlow, Shannon
Harris was named interim head coach on March 22, 2025 and guided the Defenders to a 36–18
victory over the St. Louis Battlehawks in the XFL Conference championship on June 8;
WHEREAS, on June 14, 2025, at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, the
Defenders secured their first-ever UFL Championship by defeating the Michigan Panthers 58–
34, marking the first time a UFL team surpassed 50 points in a championship game;
WHEREAS, quarterback Jordan Ta’amu delivered a near-perfect performance, 21 of 28
passes, 390 yards, 4 passing touchdowns, and a rushing touchdown, becoming the UFL
Championship Game MVP and setting the UFL single-game passing record;
WHEREAS, Jaydon Mickens, one of Ta’amu’s top targets, recorded six receptions for
132 yards and one touchdown in the championship game;
WHEREAS, throughout the regular season, Jordan Ta’amu led the UFL with 2,153
passing yards and 17 touchdown passes;
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WHEREAS, Cornell Powell led the league with 7 receiving touchdowns;
WHEREAS, Chris Rowland led the UFL with 1,070 all-purpose yards, earning spots on
the All-UFL team as both a receiver and return specialist;
WHEREAS, Interim Head Coach Shannon Harris was honored as the UFL’s Coach of the
Year for steering the Defenders to their inaugural championship and assembling one of the
league’s most explosive offenses;
WHEREAS, Offensive Coordinator Fred Kaiss earned recognition as the UFL Assistant
Coach of the Year for his instrumental role in crafting the record-breaking offensive scheme;
WHEREAS, D.C. defensive standouts Derick Roberson, Anthony Hines III, Deandre
Baker, and Joe Wallace received All-UFL honors, reinforcing the team’s all-around excellence.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “D.C. Defenders UFL Championship Recognition Resolution of
2025”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors the D.C.
Defenders as the 2025 UFL Champions and commends all players and the entire coaching staff
for their outstanding performance, dedication, and representation of the District of Columbia.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.