The St. Louis Battlehawks were defeated by the San Antonio Brahmas 25-15 on Sunday in the XFL Conference Championship.
After a 7-3 regular season and beating the Brahmas in a thriller Week 10 matchup, St. Louis was unable to punch its ticket to the United Football League Championship in their home stadium, the Dome at America's Center.
In Week 7, quarterback A.J. McCarron sustained an ankle injury against the Birmingham Stallions. He would miss the next two games before returning for the regular-season finale against the Brahmas and starting in the XFL Conference Championship game.
"Wish we could have won, it's part of the game of football. It's just tough," McCarron said. "Done a good job of playing well at home this year and it's just a game, so, how it goes sometimes."
At the end of the first half on Sunday, a San Antonio defender fell on McCarron's injured ankle after he had thrown a pass. He stayed down on the field after time expired and made his way to the locker room shortly after.
"It was the same exact situation in Birmingham," McCarron said after the game. "I haven't seen a TV clip, but I can feel it as soon as he fell on it. It was the exact same way."
He went on to say he tried to get through it and told head coach Anthony Becht if he could play for the second half.
McCarron likely need surgery on the injured ankle following the team's loss. He said several doctors thought he should get surgery following the Birmingham game.
"So, I gotta figure that out, rehab standpoint, what's the fastest way to get back to just moving the way I was because before that Birmingham game, or before I got hurt, I was able to extend plays, I felt strong, felt great being able to move. And after that, even shooting it up and going to play, I just didn't feel the same," he said.
McCarron played nine seasons in the National Football League before coming to the league, previously known as the XFL, and playing with the Battlehawks. After his breakout season last year, he returned to the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals but rejoined St. Louis before the UFL's season began.
"Like I said many times, it's no secret, I want to be a part of this league. I still think I can play at a high level, I think I've shown that this year. But whether it's being a coach in this league, I think this league has a great opportunity to grow," he said.
The 33-year-old said he wants to help the UFL continue to grow whether that be playing or as a coach.
"There's so many ways that this league can grow and has a great opportunity, so I love being a part of it," he said. "I love helping the people push this league. I try to do everything I can to bring good light to this league."
As for his future, McCarron was joined by his family at the postgame interview, including his sons, and said he would figure out his ankle injury and watch his sons play baseball and have fun with them.
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