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WASHINGTON, DC — Former Massillon Tiger Gareon Conley will suit up for the biggest spring football game, as the DC Defenders, his current team, will take on the Louisville Kings in the 2026 United Bowl, the United Football League (UFL) championship.
Conley's path has been filled with highs and lows, as he has faced injuries while playing the sport he is passionate about at the professional level, and he is now set to perform again on a big stage.
"Being able to play with no pain this season has allowed me to really just have fun and ball," said Conley.
After finishing his stellar career at Massillon Washington High School, where he played on both sides of the ball as a cornerback and wide receiver, he committed to the Ohio State University from 2013 to 2016, playing in 41 games and recording 91 tackles (66 solo) as a Buckeye.
Subsequently, his injuries would manifest as he joined the NFL. He was chosen as the 21st overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, now known as the Las Vegas Raiders.
He would be sidelined for nearly his entire rookie season because of a serious shin injury sustained after participating in only two games, then he would make a comeback in his sophomore season and perhaps his best of his pro career.
Competing in 15 games, starting 14, he recorded 50 tackles (36 solo, 14 assisted), according to Pro Football Reference, before dealing with a week 15 concussion during the game that also sidelined him for the following game.
"Get this chip and hopefully another opportunity in the NFL" -- Gareon Conley
The year 2019 began poorly for him as he sustained both a spine and neck injury during the first week of the season. This occurred when his teammate, Johnathan Abram, accidentally struck him on the head with his leg. He was subsequently carted off the field and taken to the hospital, but was discharged on the same day and returned to the field.
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| Gareon Conley, during the 2026 UFL regular season, amassed 30 total tackles. (Photo: Dan Hope/Eleven Warriors) |
That season, he played in only six games as a Raider before being traded to the Houston Texans, where he participated in eight games.
Moving to 2020, he underwent right ankle surgery during the offseason while with the Texans, but because of a lack of mobility and rigorous rehab, he would miss the entire 2020 season.
Comeback to pro football
After a couple of years of not playing, the United Football League's DC Defenders signed him in late December of 2023. The comeback would begin.
In that season, he totaled 25 tackles and two interceptions before ending his contract to join the NFL's Dallas Cowboys in June. However, he was subsequently released in July and announced his retirement from professional football.
In February of 2026, he would come out of retirement and return to the DC Defenders for a second stint, playing the entire regular season (10 games), contributing 35 tackles, two interceptions, and a berth in the playoffs and United Bowl. "Still need to keep getting better and play better," said Conley.
When asked about what this means to him, playing at a high level again, he stated, "It means a lot to me coming back from injuries and surgeries I've had my whole pro career."
The DC Defenders will play the Louisville Kings for the UFL Championship (UFL United Bowl), which will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, from Audi Field in Washington, D.C., and broadcast live on ABC.
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