The Legion of Doom has made the ultimate gamble– They have challenged the Justice League of America (JLA) to an 11 on 11 football match for control of the world. Superman, being the goodie two-shoes he is, couldn’t deny the challenge and spoke to the league members about where they would be on the roster. This is my interpretation of where each member would fit. For this exercise, I’m using the original founding members: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman and Martian Manhunter. I’ll also include some other iconic members: Cyborg, Shazam, Green Arrow, Atom and Hawkgirl. 

We’re gonna start with one of my personal favorite superheroes, the Dark Knight, Batman. Now this might be cheating, but I’m putting Batman at head coach. While he has the skill to fill one of the positions, Batman’s IQ, preparation and money would immediately put him as a top head coach in the NFL today. Remember, if you give Batman a week of prep time, he can beat anyone. Now give him a roster filled with super powered individuals, we’re looking at the first undefeated team since the ‘72 Dolphins. 

We’re gonna start in the backfield. Your starting QB for the JLA is the one and only, Green Arrow. Now I know what you’re thinking. “This is the perfect spot for Superman,” but I counter with the simple idea of having the perfect sharpshooter throwing the ball. Also, where else would Oliver Queen go? Green Arrow doesn’t have the strength to play Offensive Line and doesn’t have the quickness to play on the outside. His ability to place the ball where he wants it would leave secondaries in shambles.

Behind Green Arrow is the Flash at running back. Not much needs to be said. He’s the fastest man alive, runs 186K miles per second, outran death and a big bang. Square peg, square hole. 

At the far outside wide receiver, or the X receiver, we have Billy Batson, A.K.A Shazam. If the cornerback tries to get in his head, he has the wisdom of Solomon. He gets jammed at the line, he has the strength of Hercules. He is an every down receiver with the stamina of Atlas. You can throw the ball up to him since he has the power of Zeus. There’s no cornerback that can scare him since he has the courage of Achilles. You can’t even put Kalon Barnes on him since he has the speed of Mercury. Grab every great wide receiver in NFL history and put them into one man, –kid, actually– and you get Shazam. Plus, he can fly. 

On the other end of the field is the Amazon Wonder Woman. Arguably the most powerful of the JLA, Wonder Woman is the most underrated part of the offense. She has the strength to hold her own against the Man of the Steel and is fast enough to block bullets. Imagine Superman without the obvious and exploitable weakness of kryptonite, and you have the most dominant wide receiver since Calvin Johnson.

In the slot, we have Ray Palmer, or Atom. Atom has powers similar to Marvel’s Antman. Atom can shrink himself to subatomic size while retaining his natural strength. We’re placing him in the slot due to his ability to go unnoticed by defenses until it’s too late. We’re gonna have him play a Tyler Lockett or Devonta Smith role, where he slips into holes in the defense then goes back to his original size when he is wide open.

At the Tight End position, we have the Man of Steel, the Last Son of Krypton, Clark Kent, Superman. Can you imagine how terrifying it would be to try to cover Big Blue himself? Now imagine seeing him running at you full speed to block for the flash, who is the next fastest JLA member. This is like facing Gronk if he had the strength of Myles Garrett and the speed of Tyreek Hill. Put whoever you want opposite him, it’s a mismatch a la Eli Apple vs Cooper Kupp in Superbowl ‘56.

To start the offensive line off, we have Martian Manhunter at left tackle. Arguably the most important part of the offensive line, J’onn J’onzz sets the edge with super strength and being able to stretch his arms out to keep the opposing defender as far away from the QB as possible. This was a no brainer for me. 

At right tackle, I’m putting Aquaman. I’m sending a message to all Aquaman haters: he is one of the strongest members of the founding 7, he has carried a battleship out of the ocean, he’s been able to throw trucks and submarines, he was able to survive near the earth’s core (which Superman was struggling to do), and was able to tank torpedoes in multiple occasions. He has the courage, strength, and durability to hold the right side of the line.

At left guard, I’m setting up Green Lantern. Now he isn’t the physically strongest JLA member, but he has the ability to create constructs that will slow down anyone coming up the middle. He’s also quick enough to set up screens. Hawkwoman sits opposite of him for somewhat the same reasons. She’s not the strongest but she still has the strength to commit to double teams and the speed that’s needed for the guard position.

The leader of the offensive line is Cyborg, at Center. Now Cyborg is canonically a division 1 football player, meaning he has the knowledge to identify blitzers and call out where the linebackers are. He also has serviceable enough strength to hold the center of the line and much like Hawkgirl and Green Lantern, has speed to set up different run formations.

With the JLA’s offense now fully ready and stocked, it’s now up to the Legion of Doom to set up their defense.

Batman – head coach

Superman – TE

Flash – HB

Wonder Woman – WR

Green Lantern – LG

Aquaman – RT

Martian Manhunter – LT

Cyborg – C

Shazam – WR

Hawkwoman – RG

Green Arrow – QB

Atom (Ray Palmer) – WR