Pittsburgh Maulers Release Statement on RB De’Veon Smith’s Release

The Pittsburgh Maulers released a statement on running back De’Veon Smith being cut from the team.

Pittsburgh Maulers statement on De’Veon Smith being cut from the the team on ‘United by Football’. pic.twitter.com/OHmj2vuQTo

— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) April 18, 2022

The statement acknowledges the viral incident from the first episode of “United By Football,” which is the weekly USFL docuseries that provides all-access to eight teams in the league for the fans to see.

The incident showed that Smith got cut from the team by head coach Kirby Wilson over the fact that Smith wanted to eat pizza and not chicken salad. The video triggered criticism by fans over social media, propelling the team to release a statement in response.

pic.twitter.com/26hf6OHuU9

— sportsvids99 (@sportsvids991) April 18, 2022

“The show captures hundreds of hours of film with the intent of providing transparency to fans, but unfortunately, much of the context was left out in this moment” the statement read. “Smith had violated three team rules in a 24-hour span, and in this particular incident, disrespected a cafeteria worker, which wasn’t captured on camera.”

The statement finishes with Smith reaching out to Wilson for an apology and to be put back on the team.

“Smith has subsequently reached out directly to Coach Wilson to apologize, and asked to be reinstated to the Maulers’ roster.”

The Maulers inaugural game is tonight at 7 p.m. against the Tampa Bay Bandits. The game is televised on FS1 and the entire USFL schedule is set to be played in Birmingham, A.L. for the first season of the USFL.