Rod Smart

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Rod Smart bigraphy, stories - Player of American and Canadian football

Rod Smart : biography

January 9, 1977 –

Torrold DeShaun "Rod" Smart (born January 9, 1977) is a former professional American football player. He played college football for the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers, and began his professional career in the short-lived XFL, where he played running back for the Las Vegas Outlaws and was known by the nickname "He Hate Me". He then played briefly in the Canadian Football League (CFL) before signing with the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He then spent four seasons with the Carolina Panthers, 2002–2005, playing in Super Bowl XXXVIII. He has also been on the roster for the San Diego Chargers (in 2000) and the Oakland Raiders (in 2006) and was selected to play in the never launched All American Football League.

Professional career

San Diego Chargers training camp

Smart signed with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2000. He finished training camp with the team, but was released by the Chargers prior to the start of the 2000 NFL season.

XFL’s Las Vegas Outlaws

In the Spring of 2001, Smart joined the Las Vegas Outlaws of the XFL and adopted the nickname of "HE HATE ME." (The full name was "THEY HATE ME" but it couldn’t fit on the jersey) Smart finished the season ranked second in the league in rushing with 555 yards. Smart 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 season. Smart led the Outlaws in rushing, and was second in receiving with 27 catches for 245 yards.

Edmonton Eskimos and Philadelphia Eagles

After the end of the XFL season Smart signed with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL); he played one game for Edmonton before being released in August 2001. The Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL eventually signed Smart to their practice roster on October 2, 2001. He was promoted to the active roster on November 19, 2001, appeared in 6 regular season games, mainly on special teams, and rushed for 6 yards on 2 carries. The Eagles waived Smart at the end of their 2001 season.

Carolina Panthers

In September, 2002, Smart was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers. He played in all 16 regular season games, and led the Panthers with 24 special teams tackles. Smart produced at least one special teams tackle in 14 games en route to recording the second-highest number of special team tackles in season team history.

In 2003, Smart played in all 16 Panthers’ games for the second consecutive season. For the first time in a Panthers’ uniform, Smart was utilized as a kick returner, 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 New Orleans Saints on October 5, 2003 (tied for the longest kickoff return in team history). Smart finished the Panthers’ 2003 season ranked second with 14 special teams tackles and recorded his first career blocked punt. Smart also rushed for 49 yards on 20 carries and caught three passes for 11 yards on offense. Smart contributed to a Panthers’ special teams coverage unit that ranked fifth in the NFL in opponents’ kickoff return average.

Smart’s 2004 season 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 injured reserve with an injured left knee on November 3, 2004. Despite his limited action in 2004, Smart averaged 21.1 yards on eight kickoff returns for 169 yards, with the longest return being 33 yards. He also rushed four yards on 3 carries, and caught one pass for five yards, on offense.

In 2005, 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). Smart also recorded nine tackles and one fumble recovery for the Panthers’ kick coverage unit. After 4 seasons, Smart was released by the Panthers on March 1, 2006.