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AAF suspends operations, Steve Spurrier disappointed for his players

Steve Spurrier's return to coaching is cut short

Steve Spurrier's return to coaching was due to his desire to compete and be a part of a team once again.

Players in the Alliance of American Football saw the new upstart league as a chance to show potential NFL teams they could play at a high level.

But now, no one in the AAF will get a chance to compete for the forseeable future as the league has suspended operations.

The Associated Press is reporting AAF co-founder Bill Polian was told that football operations had been suspended and that virtually everyone involved will be terminated within 24 to 48 hours. Polian tells the AP the only people who will be retained are equipment managers and others closing facilities.

 Former South Carolina and Florida head coach Steve Spurrier returned to the sidelines as the head coach of the Orlando Apollos. 

"All the players and coaches, we're disappointed," Spurrier said. 

"We were led to believe that the Alliance was well-funded and that we would be able to go through the season -- actually, we thought that we could go through two or three years -- but obviously a lot of stuff has happened beyond our control.

Spurrier's team does have the best record in the AAF at 7-1.

"We've got to be the champs, right," Spurrier asked jokingly.

"We're 7-1 and the next teams are 5-3."

The HBC added that the players attitudes made the experience a positive one.

"The effort level that they play with has been very rewarding for me and the coaching staff," Spurrier said.

"We started the season wanting to win the Alliance championship and if they declare a champ, hopefully these guys will be declared the champ because they certainly are deserving."

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