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Ex-Auburn football tight end explains why he plays in the UFL

Former Auburn football tight end Sal Cannella talks about his football journey and why he continues to play the game.

By Mary Kate Hughes

Auburn wide receiver Sal Cannella (80) runs in for a touchdown after a catch during the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. Minnesota leads Auburn 24-17 at halftime. Jc Outbackbowl 49
Auburn wide receiver Sal Cannella (80) runs in for a touchdown after a catch during the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. Minnesota leads Auburn 24-17 at halftime. Jc Outbackbowl 49 / Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, Montgomery
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Former Auburn football tight end Sal Cannella talks about his football journey and why he continues to play the game

For former Auburn football tight end Sal Cannella, giving up has never been an option. In every stage of his football career, Cannella has pushed through and fought to continue playing the game.

His career began at Scottsdale Community College, where he spent his first year with the team as a grayshirt — meaning he was offered a delayed scholarship — and his job was to record the games with a video camera.

In 2017, after a great season at Scottsdale CC, Cannella transferred to the Plains and immediately worked his way into the rotation as a tight end with a receiver-like role. Ahead of his senior season, Cannella's position coach, Kodi Burns, had high praise for his work ethic.

“One thing about Sal is he fights,” added Cannella’s position coach, Kodi Burns, per Auburn Athletics. “At times, he’s consistent. Sometimes he’s been inconsistent. But one thing I’ll say about that kid is he fights. He brings it at practice every single day. Whether you get on to him or whether you praise him, he comes every day to show up to work. He doesn’t complain. He doesn’t mope around. That’s what I love about Sal is that he brings it every single day.”

Now, Cannella has spent five years playing football after his time at Auburn but has yet to be given a spot on an NFL roster. He went undrafted after his Auburn career, participated in spring league twice, and got cut from the Bears and the Dolphins. After a season in the USFL, he signed with the Packers and was subsequently cut, played in the XFL, and most recently was cut from the Seahawks.

Despite being passed over, Cannella continues to push himself and work hard, but what keeps him going after being told no over and over again?

“It’s the thrill,” Cannella said, per AL.com. “The thrill of the game. The excitement, the preparation it takes just to play one game a week. It’s a lot that goes into it. You train a whole offseason, three, four months, and you only get 10 to 12 games, so it’s the excitement, it’s the pressure, it’s the thrill of the game that I love.”

This season the tight end is playing for the Arlington Renegades in the UFL. So far this season, the Renegades have won only one of their eight games, but Cannella has racked up 41 catches for 375 yards and five touchdowns.

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