Pirates Sign LB Kaelin Burnett and QB Geremy Hickbottom
Presented by Phoenix Communications, Inc.

By Mick Moninghoff
Pirates Broadcaster
April 12, 2023

WORCESTER, MA - The 2-0 Massachusetts Pirates have signed linebacker Kaelin Burnett and quarterback Geremy as the team prepares for its first road game of the season this Saturday night in Frisco, Texas against the 3-0 Fighters.

Burnett, who has played in 27 National Football League games in his career, played his college ball at the University of Nevada and previously played with the Pirates in 2018.

A native of Los Angeles, CA, Burnett began his professional career as an undrafted free agent with the Oakland Raiders in 2012 and saw the field six times that season. The following year he played in 16 games. The 2014 season saw him sign with the Arizona Cardinals and then play in five games for the Tennessee Titans. In his NFL career Burnett made 15 tackles and forced one fumble.

After signing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League in 2016 where he appeared in one game, the 6'4" 245 lb. linebacker made the move to the Indoor Football League with the Spokane Empire and then back outdoors, taking part in the Spring League.

The 2018 season saw Burnett with the Pirates in the National Arena League, helping the Pirates to an 11 and 5 record. In 12 games he made 20.5 tackles (four for a loss) and recorded one sack, an interception, broke up a pass, blocked a kick and recovered two fumbles. He also had five tackles, a sack and 1.5 tackles for a loss in the Pirates first ever playoff game.

In 2019 Burnett was back outdoors, signing with the Memphis Express and then playing in seven games with the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football where he made 13.5 tackles and forced a fumble. In 2020 with the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL, Burnett started five games and recorded 13 tackles.

His football journey began at Delta State where he played in 12 games, making 20 tackles and a sack while defending two passes. The next three seasons he played at the University of Nevada. In 38 games he made 93 tackles with 10 sacks, with three forced fumbles while defending a pass and recovering a fumble.

Hickbottom, a 6'4", 225 lb. quarterback from Mobile, AL, played in four seasons at Grambling State where he started 22 games and passed for over 3,000 yards with 44 touchdowns. In the spring of 2021 Hickbottom started the first two games and then became the backup. He then entered the transfer portal as a graduate student and played his final collegiate season with Tennessee State. In the fall of 2021 he appeared in ten games and completed 140 of 243 passes for 1,847 yards (58%), good for 184.7 yards per game throwing 12 touchdown passes against four interceptions. Hickbottom also ran 68 times for 261 yards (3.8 yards per carry) with seven touchdowns.

At the end of the season he took part in the first-ever HBCU Legacy Bowl, presented by the Black College Football Hall of Fame. The game is an all-star game showcasing the best NFL draft-eligible players from historically black colleges and universities. Hickbottom was named the game's Offensive Most Valuable Player as he led his team to a 22-6 victory. Hickbottom was 9 of 15 passing for 72 yards and rushed five times for 25 yards with a three-yard touchdown run. 

The 2021 United Bowl Champions; Massachusetts Pirates are members of the Indoor Football League (IFL). The Pirates play all home games at Phoenix Field at the DCU Center located at 50 Foster St. Worcester, MA, 01608. For more information on the Massachusetts Pirates please call (508)452-MASS (6277), email contact@masspiratesfootball.com or visit http://www.masspiratesfootball.com. For 2023 season, half-season, luxury, or group ticket packages please call 508-452-MASS (6277) or visit www.masspiratesfootball.com/tickets. Follow the Pirates on Facebook via Facebook.com/MAPirates, Instagram @mass.pirates, and Twitter @mass_pirates.