582:. Though most sports organizations allow only a surname or first initial and surname to be placed on the back of a jersey, XFL rules permitted players' jerseys to be stitched with whatever words they wanted. The Outlaws happened to be playing in the league's first nationally televised game (the one that would, ultimately, be the most widely watched game, as the league's viewership plummeted after that point), and the league's choice of camera angles more akin to video games meant that Smart's jersey was prominently featured on the telecasts. The jersey was the XFL's best seller.
607:, two Xtreme players put "I Hate He" and "I Hate He Too" on the back of their jerseys to express their disdain for Smart. In a later game between those two teams, those two players changed their nicknames to "Still Hate He" and "Still Hate He Too". The curious maxim also caught the eye of American audiences (as well as Smart's future
723:, Smart returned to the Panthers healthy, played in 12 games, and led the Panthers with 29 kickoff returns for 615 yards (for a 21.2 yard average). He also recorded nine tackles and one fumble recovery for the Panthers' kick coverage unit. After four seasons, Smart was released by the Panthers on March 1, 2006.
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as, "Basically, my opponent is going to hate me. After I win, he's gonna hate me. It is what it is. It's a saying I was saying when I'd feel something wasn't going my way. For example, (when) I was on the squad in Vegas and coach was putting other guys in, (if) I felt I'm better than them, you know,
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on
October 5, 2003. He finished the Panthers' 2003 season ranked second with 14 special teams tackles and recorded his first career blocked punt. He also rushed for 49 yards on 20 carries and caught three passes for 11 yards on offense. He contributed to a Panthers' special teams coverage unit that
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and adopted the nickname of "He Hate Me" which he wore on the back of his uniform. He finished the season ranked second in the league in rushing with 555 yards. He also finished third in average rushing yards (3.8 yards per carry), and scored three touchdowns over the course of the one and only XFL
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hey, 'he hate me.' See what I'm saying? Give me a chance. That's all I ask. It came from the heart. Within. The way I felt. I feel as if everyone hates me, from my mom to my dad and even my brothers and sisters everyone "Hates Me". My buddy Greg Kates always used to use it, so I took it from him."
599:
Smart stated that he originally planned to use a different nickname on the back of his jersey every week of the season but abandoned that plan when "He Hate Me" became a national sensation. He and his agent also credit the nickname with getting NFL scouts to notice him after the XFL collapsed.
420:
selection. In his senior season, he led the team with 1,249 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns on 188 carries, for a 6.4 yard average, while his all purpose yards and rushing yards ranked fifth and sixth respectively in school history for a single season. He graduated with a degree in
561:
Of the over 300 players to don an XFL uniform during its lone 2001 season, league executives noted that while most saw the league solely as a way to further their own careers in hopes of returning to the NFL, Smart fully embraced the league's approach to football and
715:
on
November 3, 2004. Despite his limited action in 2004, he averaged 21.1 yards on eight kickoff returns for 169 yards, with the longest return being 33 yards. He also rushed four yards on three carries, and caught one pass for five yards, on offense.
657:. He was promoted to the active roster on November 19, 2001, appeared in six regular season games, mainly on special teams, and rushed for six yards on two carries. The Eagles waived Smart at the end of their 2002 training camp.
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and endangered" after his family reported that his whereabouts had been unknown since June 12. He was reported by the sheriff's office as having been found safe later the same day he was reported missing.
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570:, Smart stated that had the league survived for a second season, he was certain to have returned and had no intention of trying out for an NFL or CFL position before the XFL collapsed.
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819:" but managed to keep his grades well above average with all A's and some B's at Lakeland Senior High School. His nickname growing up and in high school was "The Rocket" after
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680:. He produced at least one special teams tackle in 14 games en route to recording the second-highest number of special team tackles in a season in team history.
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on
January 26, 2008. However, when the league was postponed for its inaugural season, all players were released from their contracts, leaving him a free agent.
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was cut short due to injuries. He played in the first three games of the season for the
Panthers, but was inactive for the next four before being placed on
691:, in addition to his special teams coverage duties. He averaged 23.1 yards on 41 kickoff returns for 947 yards, including a 100-yard touchdown against the
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373:, one of several children. His parents were known to give Rod and his siblings unusual nicknames, including "Bone Bone" and "Fat Girl." He attended
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687:, Smart played in all 16 Panthers' games for the second consecutive season. For the first time in a Panthers' uniform, he was utilized as a
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Outlaws in rushing, and was second on the team in receiving with 27 catches for 245 yards.
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football team. He ended his career at
Western Kentucky ranked tenth all-time in school history with 2,305
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641:(CFL). He played one regular season game for Edmonton before being released in August 2001.
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Smart was also a member of the track team at
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578:"He Hate Me" is the phrase Smart chose to place on the back of his Las Vegas Outlaws
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412:. He also recorded 115 receiving yards, 279 kickoff return yards, and 14 yards on
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As stated in the Week 3 XFL Los
Angeles at Las Vegas television broadcast on NBC.
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1237:"Former Carolina Panthers player reported missing in South Carolina found safe"
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747:, he failed to make the final, 53-man Raiders roster on September 2, 2006.
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with the team, but was released by the
Chargers prior to the start of the
673:. He played in all 16 regular season games, and led the Panthers with 24
416:. He started all 11 games as a senior in 1999 and was a first-team All-
1184:"XFL's 'He Hate Me' explains nickname in hilarious fashion once again"
854:, was based on the phrase he placed on the back of his XFL jersey.
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MLB's nickname gimmick won't solve baseball's mounting age issues
696:
ranked fifth in the NFL in opponents' kickoff return average. In
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835:, former Lakeland High School standout running back and former
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of the NFL signed Smart to their practice roster on
October 2,
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After being released by the Oakland Raiders, Smart became a
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Smart first played a professional football season with the
1042:
Ebersol, Charlie (November 11, 2016). "This Was the XFL".
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in 2006, as well as Team Tennessee of the never-launched
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When Smart and the Outlaws played divisional rival the
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as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2000. He finished
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After the end of the XFL season Smart signed with the
619:, "She Hate Me"). The title of Spike Lee's 2004 film
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Players of American football from Lakeland, Florida
1063:. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Online. Archived from
1022:"2001 Las Vegas Outlaws Final Regular Season Stats"
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284:(born January 9, 1977) is a former professional
1405:Lakeland High School (Lakeland, Florida) alumni
1158:"'He Hate Me' is Finding That He Loves Acting"
827:, because of his speed, running a 4.25 second
589:phrase in a January 30, 2004 article with the
1370:Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football players
207:* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
16:American gridiron football player (born 1977)
8:
1267:"Rod Smart: How I came up with 'He Hate Me'"
787:. He also owns his own business, SmartSize.
24:
1131:"Oakland Raiders Transactions (2006-09-02)"
700:, Smart returned four punts for 74 yards.
23:
1104:"The Films of Spike Lee: A Retrospective"
448:
875:
839:player. Smart's first cousin is former
783:and purportedly works as a high school
669:, Smart was claimed off waivers by the
625:was also inspired by Smart's nickname.
1280:"'He Hate Me' rescued by the Panthers"
1102:The Playlist Staff (August 10, 2012).
326:, where he was known by the nickname "
221:
1059:Silverstein, Tom (January 30, 2004).
861:, sheriff's deputies declared Smart "
743:. Being injured for part of the 2006
353:in 2003. He also spent time with the
7:
1365:American football return specialists
1182:Rohrbach, Ben (September 23, 2015).
759:during the inaugural draft of the
585:Smart explained the origin of the
299:. He was originally signed by the
80:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
14:
1278:Mullin, John (January 23, 2004).
1156:Weber, Jim (September 15, 2010).
942:Sowder, Amy (January 25, 2005).
859:Lancaster County, South Carolina
1390:Las Vegas Outlaws (XFL) players
1360:American football running backs
1328:. Panthers.com. Archived from
1208:Boren, Cindy (June 18, 2019).
969:"He Hate Me jersey photograph"
338:(CFL) before signing with the
1:
1308:. Raiders.com. Archived from
1133:. Raiders.com. Archived from
914:. Raiders.com. Archived from
831:. Smart's younger brother is
408:yards on 356 carries with 21
1092:. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
761:All American Football League
751:All American Football League
359:All American Football League
1380:Philadelphia Eagles players
398:Western Kentucky University
389:team, and also ran for the
282:Torrold DeShaun "Rod" Smart
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592:Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
587:grammatically non-standard
400:, where he played for the
1385:Carolina Panthers players
1000:"XFL Statistical Leaders"
944:"Meet The Pro: Rod Smart"
781:Charlotte, North Carolina
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1061:"Fans love "He Hate Me""
976:Wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net
837:National Football League
795:Smart is a fan of 1970s
779:. He currently lives in
735:, Smart signed with the
639:Canadian Football League
346:, including winning the
336:Canadian Football League
305:National Football League
88:205 lb (93 kg)
21:American football player
777:Don’t Blame The Lettuce
615:, who named one of his
377:, where he played both
775:, before appearing in
755:Smart was selected by
525:Smart signed with the
490:Indianapolis, Indiana
330:". He then joined the
1375:Edmonton Elks players
711:with an injured left
566:. In the documentary
506:Knoxville, Tennessee
216:Career NFL statistics
1332:on November 24, 2005
850:The 2004 movie name
805:Earth, Wind and Fire
564:sports entertainment
474:Jonesboro, Arkansas
375:Lakeland High School
309:undrafted free agent
49:Personal information
1215:The Washington Post
841:Philadelphia Eagles
651:Philadelphia Eagles
645:Philadelphia Eagles
549:, Smart joined the
516:Professional career
340:Philadelphia Eagles
167:Philadelphia Eagles
104:(Lakeland, Florida)
26:
1312:on August 25, 2006
1284:ChicagoTribune.com
1137:on August 24, 2006
918:on August 25, 2006
857:On June 18, 2019,
785:guidance counselor
698:Super Bowl XXXVIII
693:New Orleans Saints
605:Los Angeles Xtreme
527:San Diego Chargers
521:San Diego Chargers
477:February 27, 2000
418:Gateway Conference
369:Smart was born in
301:San Diego Chargers
137:San Diego Chargers
93:Career information
30:No. 30, 24, 32, 39
1326:"32 Rod Smart RB"
948:Lakeland Magazine
671:Carolina Panthers
661:Carolina Panthers
609:Carolina Panthers
551:Las Vegas Outlaws
545:In the Spring of
541:Las Vegas Outlaws
513:
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493:February 7, 1999
371:Lakeland, Florida
344:Carolina Panthers
320:Las Vegas Outlaws
286:American football
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248:Return touchdowns
177:Carolina Panthers
147:Las Vegas Outlaws
70:Lakeland, Florida
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568:This Was the XFL
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332:Edmonton Eskimos
322:of the original
297:Western Kentucky
293:college football
266:Player stats at
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129:Career history
113:Western Kentucky
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1306:"Rod Smart #39"
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535:2000 NFL season
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455:Time (seconds)
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429:Track and field
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191:Oakland Raiders
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64:January 9, 1977
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1334:. Retrieved
1330:the original
1314:. Retrieved
1310:the original
1287:. Retrieved
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1245:. Retrieved
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1219:. Retrieved
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1191:. Retrieved
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1165:. Retrieved
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1141:September 2,
1139:. Retrieved
1135:the original
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1115:November 25,
1113:. Retrieved
1107:
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1090:The Guardian
1089:
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1069:. Retrieved
1065:the original
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1038:
1026:. Retrieved
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1004:. Retrieved
981:September 1,
979:. Retrieved
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951:. Retrieved
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920:. Retrieved
916:the original
878:
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833:Chris Rainey
829:40-yard dash
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574:"He Hate Me"
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414:punt returns
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379:running back
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351:Championship
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307:(NFL) as an
291:. He played
289:running back
281:
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267:
237:Return yards
98:High school:
39:Running back
18:
1395:1977 births
1336:January 28,
1289:January 28,
1193:January 28,
1167:January 28,
852:She Hate Me
817:class clown
705:2004 season
622:She Hate Me
423:kinesiology
402:Hilltoppers
1349:Categories
1316:August 16,
1241:myfox8.com
1071:August 16,
1028:August 16,
1006:August 21,
953:August 16,
922:August 16,
870:References
825:Notre Dame
813:Parliament
801:soul music
745:pre-season
741:free agent
731:On May 4,
499:100 meters
439:100 meters
410:touchdowns
391:track team
383:cornerback
328:He Hate Me
311:after the
119:Undrafted:
60:1977-01-09
1109:IndieWire
1044:30 for 30
843:receiver
611:teammate
483:60 meters
467:55 meters
435:60 meters
35:Position:
25:Rod Smart
1247:June 18,
1221:June 18,
809:Heatwave
703:Smart's
387:football
385:for the
109:College:
102:Lakeland
863:missing
678:tackles
637:of the
553:of the
406:rushing
334:of the
303:of the
85:Weight:
77:Height:
1271:SI.com
811:, and
503:10.56
458:Venue
452:Event
205:
72:, U.S.
972:(JPG)
739:as a
487:6.86
471:6.36
461:Date
242:1,731
54:Born:
1338:2017
1318:2006
1291:2017
1249:2019
1223:2019
1195:2017
1169:2017
1143:2006
1117:2018
1073:2006
1030:2006
1008:2006
983:2017
955:2006
924:2006
799:and
797:funk
733:2006
721:2005
713:knee
685:2003
667:2002
655:2001
649:The
547:2001
437:and
381:and
295:for
195:2006
185:2005
181:2002
171:2001
161:2001
151:2001
141:2000
123:2000
823:of
719:In
683:In
555:XFL
348:NFC
324:XFL
269:PFR
1351::
1282:.
1269:.
1239:.
1212:.
1186:.
1160:.
1106:.
1088:.
1051:^
991:^
974:.
946:.
932:^
887:^
847:.
807:,
537:.
441:.
425:.
393:.
361:.
315:.
231:67
197:)*
163:)*
143:)*
62:)
41:/
1340:.
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1293:.
1273:.
1251:.
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1197:.
1171:.
1145:.
1119:.
1075:.
1032:.
1010:.
985:.
957:.
926:.
253:1
250::
239::
228::
193:(
187:)
183:–
179:(
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159:(
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58:(
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