XFL Week 4: NY Hitman vs Chicago Enforcers with Bonus Coverage

Gridiron America FM Radio

Date: February 24, 2001 XFL Week: 4. Home Team: Chicago Enforcers Visiting Team: New York/New Jersey Hitmen Game Time: Game weather: Freezing Drizzle/Fog Referee: Game attendance: 14,856 Stadium: Soldier Field TV announcers: Jim Ross, Jesse Ventura Network: NBC

Week four of the XFL saw these two teams battle for their first win. Both were 0-3 going into the game and desperately needed a win to keep pace with top division leader Orlando Rage. The field was muddy and slippery as Chicago fans were enduring a cold, rainy, foggy evening. Dick Butkus Director of Competition introduces fans to the new brand of football in the XFL and the scramble. NY Hitmen made a quarterback change benching starter Charles Puleri in favor of the backup Wally Richardson the Penn State product. Jesse "The Body" Ventura was his usual self criticizing NY Hitmen Head Coach Rusty Tillman's every move.

After the game Jesse confronted Rusty to congratulate him on the win but the coach refused to talk and walked away from him. NBC also provided bonus coverage at halftime of the game between Birmingham Bolts vs Orlando Rage. NY Hitmen shutout the Chicago Enforcers 13-0. It was a struggle for both teams to get the offences going but eventually NY was able to pull away at the end. Rusty Tillman's playing calling was a sour note in Jesse Ventura's eyes who kept criticizing the coach in public. Once the Hitmen secured their first win Jesse went to speak to Tillman but he refused to talk. It was obvious he had enough of Ventura's antics.