Teams for the new league will come from Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Kansas City.

Its set-up was assisted by the NFL-Bob Woodruff Foundation Healthy Lifestyles and Creating Community (HLCC) grant.

The launch of the league coincides with this year's edition of the NFL Draft, an annual event that sees college footballers selected by professional teams.

To mark the launch of the wheelchair league, a wheelchair football athlete will participate in making a team pick in the NFL Draft on Saturday April 25, representing a milestone in the ongoing partnership between DSUSA and NFL.

The NFL has selected retired US Marine Corps Staff Sargeant, Brad Lang to represent DSUSA by helping to announce a draft pick for his favourite team, the Carolina Panthers.

DSUSA executive director Glenn Merry is excited about the prospect of the league.

He said, "We believe that the sport has the unique power to bring people together and to push them beyond what is possible, redefining their ability.

"We are excited to launch the Wheelchair Football League in cadence with the NFL Draft driving a new generation of aspiring athletes to reimagine this ability."

Former US Marine Corps Corporal Bart Salgado, who helped build the Wheelchair Football League is another of the athletes participating in the inaugural league and he sees football as more than a game.

Salgado said, "Being active and finding an outlet in sports not only helped me heal physically but mentally too.

"It's impacted my life in more ways than one and inspired me to chase my dream.

"It's unbelievable to see how far I've come, I'm grateful to have a hand in starting this league and I can't wait to see it highlighted during the NFL Draft."

Salgado helped to create wheelchair football tournament, the Blister Bowl in the early 2000s and since then has served on the Rules Committee for the sport and helped with the guidelines for the upcoming league.

He will now serve as the head coach of Angel City, the team playing in Los Angeles.

The NFL Draft, which starts today, is taking place virtually this year because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.