From NFL standout to UFL champion, the former Jaguar powered Louisville’s historic worst-to-first turnaround, anchoring a dominant ground game that secured the Kings' improbable 2026 title.
The Louisville Kings displayed one of the biggest turnarounds ever witnessed in the United Football League.
Led by head coach Chris Redman, a hometown hero and former National Football League quarterback, the Kings went from the worst team in the league to United Bowl champions in one season.
Former Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Robinson was a key contributor to the Kings' season as their second-leading rusher. The ex-NFL running back had 82 carries for 324 yards, while leading the team in rushing yards per game with 50 yards per game.
Robinson helped to put the game away with a late touchdown, making the Kings the first team to win the UFL championship in their first season, defeating the DC Defenders 27-20.
In Robinson's first year with the Jags, he rushed for 1070 yards and seven scores, and had 49 receptions, scoring an additional three touchdowns.
The undrafted free agent played two and a half seasons with the Jags (2020-22), before spending time with the New York Jets and Green Bay Packers (2022-23).
After a 0-3 start, Redman decided to shake things up by trading starting quarterback Jason Bean, cutting running back Benny Snell, and completely overhauling the offensive line.
Once Redman gave the keys to the offense to backup quarterback Chandler Rogers the Kings would shift the offense to focus on the ground game, which was complemented by a defense that excelled in takeaways.
The overhaul turned the season around. The Kings went 6-1 after the changes and became the first team in the UFL’s short history to reach the playoffs after starting 0-3, while also securing the No. 3 seed in the postseason.
Cam Gill was one of the bright spots for the Kings as he was named the UFL Defensive player of the Year. Gill’s 10 sacks contributed to the team's success.
Tanner Brown was named UFL Special Teams Player of the Year setting a league record with 25 made field goals. Brown also hit multiple 60+ yard field goals in a single game, helping the Kings upset the St Louis Battlehawks in the playoff semifinal.
The expansion team would face its biggest test on June 13, 2026, when they faced the defending UFL champion DC Defenders in the 2026 United Bowl.
Ex-Kings quarterback Jason Bean was the starting quarterback for the Defenders setting up a revenge game against the team that traded in earlier in the season.
The Kings were down 16-7 at halftime but were brought back to life by their opportunistic defense that forced three game-changing turnovers in the second half. Louisville’s victory in the United Bowl completed a three-game sweep over the Defenders.
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