38 Facts About Rod Smart

Torrold DeShaun "Rod" Smart was born on January 9,1977 and is a former professional American football running back.

Rod Smart was originally signed by the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League as an undrafted free agent after the 2000 NFL draft.

Rod Smart then joined the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League before signing with the Philadelphia Eagles, all within the same year.

Rod Smart then spent four seasons with the Carolina Panthers, including winning the NFC Championship in 2003.

Rod Smart spent time with the Oakland Raiders in 2006, as well as Team Tennessee of the never-launched All American Football League.

Rod Smart was born in Lakeland, Florida, one of several children.

Rod Smart attended Western Kentucky University, where he played for the Hilltoppers football team.

Rod Smart ended his career at Western Kentucky ranked tenth all-time in school history with 2,305 rushing yards on 356 carries with 21 touchdowns.

Rod Smart recorded 115 receiving yards, 279 kickoff return yards, and 14 yards on punt returns.

Rod Smart started all 11 games as a senior in 1999 and was a first-team All-Gateway Conference selection.

Rod Smart was a member of the track team at Western Kentucky, where he specialized in the 60 meters and 100 meters.

Rod Smart signed with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2000.

Rod Smart finished training camp with the team, but was released by the Chargers prior to the start of the 2000 NFL season.

Rod Smart finished the season ranked second in the league in rushing with 555 yards.

Rod Smart finished third in average rushing yards, and scored three touchdowns over the course of the one and only XFL season.

Rod Smart led the Outlaws in rushing, and was second on the team in receiving with 27 catches for 245 yards.

The Outlaws happened to be playing in the league's first nationally televised game, and the league's choice of camera angles more akin to video games meant that Rod Smart's jersey was prominently featured on the telecasts.

Rod 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.

Rod Smart played one regular season game for Edmonton before being released in August 2001.

Rod Smart 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.

In September, 2002, Rod Smart was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers.

Rod Smart played in all 16 regular season games, and led the Panthers with 24 special teams tackles.

Rod Smart 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.

In 2003, Rod Smart played in all 16 Panthers' games for the second consecutive season.

Rod Smart 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.

Rod Smart finished the Panthers' 2003 season ranked second with 14 special teams tackles and recorded his first career blocked punt.

Rod Smart rushed for 49 yards on 20 carries and caught three passes for 11 yards on offense.

Rod Smart contributed to a Panthers' special teams coverage unit that ranked fifth in the NFL in opponents' kickoff return average.

Rod Smart 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.

Rod Smart rushed four yards on three carries, and caught one pass for five yards, on offense.

In 2005, Rod Smart returned to the Panthers healthy, played in 12 games, and led the Panthers with 29 kickoff returns for 615 yards.

Rod Smart recorded nine tackles and one fumble recovery for the Panthers' kick coverage unit.

On May 4,2006, Rod Smart signed with the Oakland Raiders as a free agent.

Rod Smart was selected by Team Tennessee during the inaugural draft of the All American Football League on January 26,2008.

Rod Smart is a fan of 1970s funk and soul music bands such as Earth, Wind and Fire, Heatwave, and Parliament.

Rod Smart was the "class clown" but managed to keep his grades well above average with all A's and some B's at Lakeland Senior High School.

Rod Smart's nickname growing up and in high school was "The Rocket" after Raghib Ismail of Notre Dame, because of his speed, running a 4.25 second 40-yard dash.

Rod Smart was reported by the sheriff's office as having been found safe later the same day he was reported missing.