#WaiverGate: California Rebels’ Shady Move Sparks Controversy Ahead of Yuma Bowl XV
Written by Dale Walters and Adam Ireland
In the buildup to Yuma Bowl XV between the California Rebels and the Moscow Black Bears, the California Rebels made headlines today, for the wrong reasons.
Early Wednesday morning, the sports world received a bombshell: Denver Broncos Quarterback Russell Wilson, the starting QB for the Moscow Black Bears, would be benched for the remainder of the season. The significance of this move wasn’t lost on anyone, especially the California Rebels, who saw an opportunity to exploit the situation to their advantage.
Poised to capture their 5th Yuma Bowl crown and a second consecutive victory, the Rebels attempted to play chess over checkers by illegally adding QB Joe Flacco off waivers. Flacco, experiencing a resurgence over the last four weeks, became the target for the Rebels the moment they heard the news about Wilson. The move was a calculated risk, and it didn’t take long for the league to catch wind of their shady tactics.
The attempt to snatch Flacco from the waiver wire was not only unfair but downright cruel. The Rebels, who have been the story of the NAFC this season, shocking the league by making it to the title despite limited draft resources, once again found themselves in the midst of controversy.
This isn’t the first time the Rebels and their owner, Commissioner Hunter Schaal, have found themselves at the center of controversy. In 2015, Schaal vetoed his own trade in a scandal that became known as TradeGate. Then, in 2018, he attempted to gain an advantage by using his power as commissioner to potentially rig the Draft Lottery, resulting in TradeGate 2.0 and a lengthy suspension.
Since Schaal’s reinstatement in October 2021, he has portrayed himself as a commissioner of strong valor and honor. However, with a Yuma Bowl title on the line, old habits seemed to resurface.
The Rebels’ shady move didn’t go unnoticed. Nathan Simmons of Seattle, a man with scandals of his own, called out the Rebels for their unethical behavior. While questions linger about Simmons potentially running Moscow’s team from the shadows, the focus remains on the Rebels and their questionable adherence to the rules. The NAFC, as a league of integrity, should uphold its values, especially when the league crown is on the line.
In the aftermath of #WaiverGate, the NAFC League office has fined the Rebels for their misconduct, with the fine going to Moscow. While this isn’t the first scandal involving the Rebels, it serves as a stark reminder that teams around the NAFC care and will hold the Commissioner and the Rebels accountable.
This may not be the last scandal involving the Rebels, but it’s reassuring to know that the NAFC has measures in place to maintain the integrity of the game, even when a title is at stake. Yuma Bowl XV now carries an added layer of drama, with the Rebels’ actions casting a shadow over what should be a celebration of football excellence.
