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How did the DC Defenders get a retired champ back ...
Key takeaways
- Andre Mintze went the extra mile to boost the DC Defenders in their UFL playoff semifinal game: He took paid time off from his day job to come out of retirement.
- The Defenders took down the Orlando Storm 28-22 on Sunday to advance to the UFL Championship.
- Mintze had played linebacker for the Defenders in 2024 and 2025, winning the UFL Championship with the team last year, and retired ahead of training camp for the 2026 campaign.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Defenders vs. Orlando Storm: Game Highlights (1:11)
Andre Mintze went the extra mile to boost the DC Defenders in their UFL playoff semifinal game: He took paid time off from his day job to come out of retirement.
The Defenders took down the Orlando Storm 28-22 on Sunday to advance to the UFL Championship. It was an upset -- the Storm were the four-team bracket's No. 1 seed and DC, with a 5-5 regular-season record, was the last team in the field -- and Mintze wasn't going to miss it for the world. Especially not for a nine-to-five.
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