Update:
Lancaster County (S.C.) Sheriff’s Office has given a positive update about the whereabouts of Rod Smart. The department announced on its Facebook page that Smart has been located and is currently safe.
“Mr. Smart has been located and he is safe at this time,” the post read. “We appreciate everyone’s concern and assistance.”
Smart had reportedly last been seen last Wednesday.
No other details were immediately released.
Original Story:
Police in South Carolina say Rod Smart — who was known as “He Hate Me” and was the most popular star in the XFL’s brief stint — has been reported missing for almost a week.
Deputies in Lancaster County are asking the public for help in locating Smart, 42, whose given name is Torrold. He was last seen on Wednesday of last week, according to NBC News.
NBC shared a statement from the sheriff’s department that said in-part, “It is unusual for him to be out of touch for this long. … Mr. Smart’s family is worried about his safety and well-being.”
Police said he was last seen in South Carolina driving his silver 2016 Nissan Maxima.
Lancaster Co. Sheriff’s Office is asking for help to find a missing and possibly endangered man. pic.twitter.com/CojnVH4Mbg
— Greg Suskin (@GSuskinWSOC9) June 18, 2019
Smart, who was known by the moniker “He Hate Me,” which was emblazoned on the back of his jersey in the spot that is traditionally reserved for last names, acheived fame as a running back in WWE owner Vince McMahon’s XFL.
XFL players were allowed to wear whatever name or phrase they chose on the back of their jerseys.
According to reports, Smart chose the name because he would be so great, everyone else would hate him.
Please Retweet this!!!!! This is one of my closest friends “Rod Smart” aka He Hate Me and he’s been missing! Anyone has any info please reach out to me!!!!! pic.twitter.com/QZjwWpVto0
— Tory Woodbury (@T_Woodbury11) June 18, 2019
“Basically, my brother’s my opponent,” he told the Milwaukee Sentinel Journal of his nickname in 2004. “After I win, he’s going to 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.
The Lakeland, Fla., native played college football at Western Kentucky before going to the XFL.
Smart was the XFL’s second-leading rusher and matriculated into playing 5 NFL seasons (53 games) — mostly as a return man for the Carolina Panthers.
He ran back a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown in Carolina’s 19-13 win over the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 5, 2003.
He returned four punts for 74 yards in Carolina’s Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots in 2004.
Just saw that former @Panthers player Rod Smart, aka “He Hate Me” is missing. I just hope he’s found safe. #KeepPounding
— Scott ??? (@sfb45) June 18, 2019
