“He Hate Me” — Running Back Rod Smart

Torrold DeShaun “Rod” Smart is better known as “He Hate Me,” especially in XFL circles. Smart grew up in Lakeland, Florida, attending Lakeland High School, where he played football as both running back and a cornerback for the football team, and ran for the track team. Smart attended Western Kentucky University, completing his time with … Read more

Why did the 2001 XFL Fail?

Feb. 17, 2001, a television cameraman photographs the Los Angeles Xtreme cheerleaders before the start of an XFL football game between the Xtreme and the Las Vegas Outlaws in Las Vegas.

The first XFL was founded in 2001 by Vince McMahon, the chairman of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), and Dick Ebersol, a television executive. Despite significant hype and anticipation, the league failed to attract sustained interest and folded after just one season. The failure of the XFL in 2001 can be attributed to … Read more