Birmingham, AL

The dark clouds finally started to give way to rain as the John Rhys Plumlee knelt the game out to secure a 26-13 win for the Houston Gamblers, knocking the Birmingham Stallions out of playoff contention and a franchise low 4-6 record. But in those final moments, fans and players were embracing one another for the final time this season. Friends and family, coaches and players, all were taking in the last moments of the season and this particular Stallions team. 

It wasn’t a particularly great showing for the Stallions today. With a long shot chance to make the playoffs, Birmingham played sloppy. From the first play of the game, where DTR was almost sacked in the endzone and nearly threw a pick, it was rough going. 

Birmingham was in a 17-0 hole at the half with a missed 53-yard field goal attempt from Anders Carlson being the closest the Stallions ever got to scoring. The second half was a somewhat different tune, as Alex Cook intercepted Plumlee for a pick six. Dorian Thompson-Robinson was later able to connect with Kyric McGowan for his first receiving touchdown of the season. 

Despite the slightly better offense, Houston continued to pile on with another touchdown and field goal, keeping their lead until the final moments of the game. It wasn’t the type of game Stallions fans or players wanted to go out on, but with how much the team has been plagued by injuries down the stretch, it was almost unavoidable. 

“Everything’s not going to be perfect. I thought when we hit our groove and really started playing well and had a 3-game win streak, the injury bug popped up and started attacking us pretty bad,” Head Coach AJ McCarron said to the media, “In this league, these teams are built off of D-line and O-line. And when 4 of your starting O-linemen go out in 3 weeks, it’s hard to be successful.”

While the Stallions will miss out on the playoffs this season, and for the first time in the modern era, the fact that Birmingham was able to play another season was a miracle in and of itself. With Mike Repole’s purchase of the UFL and subsequent shake up, the Birmingham Stallions were originally going to be relocated. After a wildly successful online campaign called #SaveTheStallions, fans were able to keep the team around just a little bit longer. 

Birmingham’s future is unknown in the UFL. Head Coach AJ McCarron mentioned his two year contract and how he plans to come back, but spring football can be a fickle environment. Whether the Stallions are back in Birmingham next season (or potentially moved down the road to Hoover), this season was one to remember. 

“Listen, I know in this world we get caught up in the wins and losses. I mean, we’re playing to win. But I really have zero complaints…I think if you watch the game, hear them talk, you can tell I love them and they love me. And it’s a mutual, you know, friendship and true love right there that we all care about each other.”

The UFL playoffs will occur over the next two weeks, but Stallions fans should be proud of their team this season. After a 1-4 start, Birmingham was able to put a strong effort in the back half of the season to finish 4-6. Had there not been so many crucial player injuries, the team likely would have gone further. But in spite of that, getting to see new and dynamic players like Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Jaydon Mickens join the halls of Stallions legends, while legends such as Jojo Tillery, Jordan Thomas, and countless others played their hearts out is all fans can ask for. 

As Birmingham Stallions fans and players said goodbye to each other and Protective Stadium for the final time in the 2026 season, the rain faded away. The Alabama sun that was present throughout the duration of the game reappeared as thousands of fans dispersed throughout the city; the maroon memorabilia showing the mark the Stallions have made on fans hearts and the city’s soul. If this is to be the last ride of the Birmingham Stallions, then it was a damn good legacy to leave.