The Panthers are expecting to light up the scoreboard in 2024 with the additions of players like former University of Virginia running back Shane Simpson.

"Shane has a great combination of size and skill with the ability to slash and impose his will on any given snap," said Bay Area Head Coach Rob Keefe. "He also has excellent vision and burst as a kick returner and has proven to be an effective pass catcher out of the backfield."

Following a stint with the DC Defenders of the XFL, Simpson played the final nine games of 2023 with the Quad City Steamwheelers. In his first season in the IFL, Simpson averaged almost seven yards per carry and finished second on the team with 10 rushing touchdowns.

Simpson's first professional opportunity out of college with the Washington Commanders in 2020 was derailed after a bout with COVID. Despite his strong faith, he confessed to asking the questions, "Why me? Why now?"

"I think all people say that. Why is this happening to me? My first tattoo says, 'Walk by faith and not by sight.''  I'm a firm believer in that," said Simpson. "My faith has gotten me this far with all the adversity I've been through. Why not continue to lean on this saying that I have."

In 2018, Simpson was put on the NFL radar at Towson State after amassing more than 2,000 all-purpose yards. He was named FCS First-Team All-American and toyed with the idea of entering the NFL draft. But Simpson returned to school to improve his draft stock and was put on the Walter Payton watch list. However, pro dreams were put on hold after suffering a torn ACL and MCL in the third game of the season at Maine.

Simpson rehabbed and took his 5,000-career all-purpose to the transfer portal. The three-time all-conference player was still a highly sought after commodity drawing interest from schools like Texas, Pittsburgh, Florida State, Western Kentucky, Northwestern and Virginia.

It came down to a choice between Texas and Virginia. Unable to decide, Simpson wrote Texas and Virginia on three pieces of paper to draw from a hat. He drew Virginia three times in a row, so he became a Cavalier and a big fan of Bronco Mendenhall's coaching philosophy.

"He was a big life coach. Everything we had in the facility had messages like 'Earned and not Given' and 'Family First.' Those messages stick to me to this day," said Simpson. "The staff was great, and I had a chance to play ACC ball, too."

In 2020, Simpson finished third on the team in rushing and averaged over five yards per carry. The Cavs started 1-4 before reeling off four straight wins and ended the season at 5-5. The highlight of the year was a 44-41 win over #15 North Carolina with Simpson catching a 71-yard touchdown pass from Brennan Armstrong.

After his COVID shortened stint with the NFL's Commanders, Simpson recovered and eventually signed with Winnipeg of the Canadian Football League. However, he was slowed by a hamstring injury and was released only to be contacted by Montreal two days later.  His body wasn't right and took time to heel before getting his shot with DC of the XFL. That led to back half of the 2023 season at Quad City and an eventual conversation with Bay Area Head Coach Rob Keefe.

"When he called, I felt the energy from get go", said Simpson. "He could relate to a lot of my story from his playing days in arena. He knew what I've been going through so I wanted to be coached by him. He's lived what I'm doing right now."

With an IFL season under his belt, Simpson has already learned the major nuances of the indoor game.

"I adjusted quickly when it came to the walls. I see defenders able to go full speed at the running back or receiver because they treat the wall like an extra defender," said Simpson. "I decided I don't want to go near that wall and cut up the field so we can have a collision or I'm going to make you miss. Like I tell people all the time, that wall is undefeated."

Since the age of 6 playing youth football, the nickname "Suga" has been a part of Simpson's identity. He still eats Sour Patch candy before every game.

"One of my teammates in college would say, 'Let suga out of the bottle' and that's exactly what I'd do every game, make the first defender miss."

The skill of leaving a defender grasping for Simpson's jersey is his superpower. But Simpson prides himself as a complete back with the ability to run the ball, catch out of the backfield and block.

As he ramps up for training camp, Simpson works as a personal trainer while also selling jewelry. He wouldn't mind picking up a ring of his own in California as the Panthers try to defend their IFL championship.

"I haven't won a championship in high school, college or in the pros," said Simpson. "To get my first one with the Panthers would be a great experience."

Simpson can keep his challenges in perspective when he considers that he's lost more than a dozen close people in his life through mental health issues or gun violence. When he was 13, Simpson endured the loss of close friend, Lewis Ogioba because of cardiac arrest.

To his day, Simpson wears a cropped shirt under his pads on game-days to honor his friend.  It reads, "In loving memory of Lewis Ogioba."

"It's kind of faded because it's from 2011 and I just know he's with me at all times," said Simpson. "The fact I still get to represent him and wear that shirt means a lot to me."