Cologne Centurions running back and 2021 European League of Football MVP, Madre London, will not be returning to Europe in 2022 despite signing a contract extension with the Centurions last September, as he’ll be taking an opportunity with the USFL’s Pittsburgh Maulers.
London dominated the ELF all season in 2021 and exploded in his league debut, rushing for 269 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 55-39 loss to the Wroclaw Panthers.
In 10 total games, London took 303 rushing attempts for 2,177 yards (7.2 YPA) and 23 touchdowns, averaging 217.7 yards per game, with his longest run of the season coming on an 86 yard scoring play.
London ended the ELF’s inaugural season as the league leader in rushing yards and touchdowns. Additionally, he’d be named an ELF All-Star, earned the ELF’s MVP award, and was named to American Football International’s 2021 All-Europe First Team as the top half back in Europe.
Fans of The Spring League (TSL) and Fan Controlled Football (FCF) should also recognize Madre London.
After finishing his college career at Tennessee, he’d go undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft before signing with The Spring League’s Alphas in October 2020. In a week 2 win over the Conquerors, London took 16 rushing attempts for 61 yards.
Unfortunately, the final game of The Spring League’s 2020 fall season was canceled due to the covid-19 pandemic, and London chose to move on to Fan Controlled Football for their inaugural season in 2021. In 4 games with the FCF’s ‘Glacier Boyz,’ London recorded 13 carries for 41 yards and brought in 3 receptions for 23 yards.
Madre London now joins The USFL’s Pittsburg Maulers led by long-time NFL running backs coach and 2x Super Bowl champion Kirby Wilson. London will have a great opportunity with Wilson and the Maulers, as coach Kirby’s had a hand in the career of some of the NFL’s best running backs, including Adrian Peterson, Emmit Smith, Curtis Martin, and Edrin James.
Most recently, Wilson coached Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs during both of his 1,000 yard rushing seasons.
