Curtains fall quickly on XFL’s second act

On the afternoon of March 20, a current of optimism coursed through the Stamford, Connecticut, headquarters of the XFL and its eight clubs — including the Houston Roughnecks — around the country.

Despite that day’s decision to cancel the remainder of its season with seven weeks left on the schedule due to the spreading coronavirus, employees were still hopeful. They believed the league was having a successful debut until the pandemic hit, and their faith was bolstered by Commissioner Oliver…