Khalil Garriott
NFLPLAYERS.COM
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif.—Rod Smart, a former standout player with the Carolina Panthers, attended his first NFLPA Retired Players Convention over the weekend. Perhaps best known for the name on the back of his jersey, “He Hate Me,” while playing for the Las Vegas Outlaws of the short-lived XFL, Smart played in a Super Bowl as a kick returner/running back with the Panthers. Smart’s personality makes him unique—he prefers the smooth sounds of Earth, Wind & Fire to modern music and as the class clown at Lakeland High School, he never thought he’d be in the NFL. In this exclusive Q&A with NFLPLAYERS.COM from the 25th annual NFLPA Retired Players Convention, Smart talks about the importance of the convention, shares his passion for helping children and says whether he misses playing football.
Q: What do you expect to get out of the Retired Players Convention and what has it brought to retired players over the years?
A: I think it provides a big opportunity to network with other retired players. These are folks that played the game, know the game and want to continue being involved with [other] folks of that caliber. A lot of these folks I met, I ran into them someway or somehow, but it’s a good opportunity to meet folks that reach out to one another and wouldn’t mind helping one another if they need it.
Q: Speaking of which, it seems kind of like a fraternity amongst the retired players.
A: Right, right. As long as you keep in touch with those folks in this fraternity, there is always a better opportunity out there in life.
Q: Being a younger guy, do you still love and miss the game, and what do you know that an older retired guy might not be in touch with these days?
A: Well, some of the things I know, I guess a lot of things have changed since they played and my last year was 2006. Money opportunities have changed and it doesn’t help that the economy is the way it is today, but we can always find ways to get information from each other and help one another some way or somehow. I know one guy will be able to help me in some way and vice-versa. I might have knowledge that can help an older retired player and he may have knowledge to help me in certain ways. It all depends on what we are here for and what we are trying to get out of this and making it happen—looking out for each other.
Q: I just want to get a quick update on your life and what keeps you busy these days.
A: Well, kids actually. I’m working back in Charlotte, N.C. with kids at a high school coaching football. Most of them are kids with behavioral problems but it’s a fun thing I’m doing. A lot of the kids have had their lives changed and some of them I may not get to, but for the most part I’m able to make a change. I’m just reaching out to these kids in the world and it’s kind of me giving back even if it’s not my hometown. It’s a great thing because growing up I never had a professional athlete reach out to me and teach me the ropes about life and whatnot. So me being able to do this, it makes me and the kids happy. A lot of them look up to me as a role model and a mentor, so it’s a fun thing for me and I’m going to continue to do this as long as possible. I also know that it’s always going to be out there for me to do.
Q: How long have you been doing this?
A: Actually, I got in the school system this past year in 2008 so it’s my first full school year doing this.
Q: If there is something else out there for you, what do you think it is?
A: Well, you know, I’m a man of many hats. I stay busy doing a lot of different things: acting, modeling, just a couple to mention. Football was something I enjoyed playing and I loved the game. Even in college, I was a Recreational Sciences major so it involved working with kids and stuff. That’s something that I have always wanted to do because I’m a people person and I wanted to work with kids and people in general. This helps me establish that by working with these kids. For the most part, I just think there is something more for me out there to do and that’s a big part of the reason I’m here at the convention. Who knows what it is? That is what I’m trying to find out within myself, right? I just haven’t figured it out yet. But I’m keeping my options [open] because there are too many things out there that people get involved in. Most folks go out and get college degrees and do something totally away from what they studied. We all learn that after the fact; we don’t learn that growing up. You may major in something but do another thing. Meanwhile, I think God sets certain obstacles in life and certain things in life that you do and eventually you continue to do that. I mean, football was one but you can’t do that forever. You have to find something you like that you can do for the rest of your life—for longevity. Working with kids is one of those things. Kids are always born every day and a lot of people appreciate that because kids do make the world go ‘round.
Q: I have to ask about your famous “He Hate Me” moniker. What was that all about?
A: Actually, it was a little thing I did in the XFL. A lot of folks don’t remember but it was a thing that was new coming in and I was able to set myself up on the stage and get a lot of notoriety. The best thing about it is it made me well-known before I got into the NFL. That was one of the best things I could’ve ever done in marketing myself as a person and staying out of trouble. A lot of folks get into the NFL and get into trouble but that’s kind of how they market themselves. But with me being a so-called “good guy” of the league, I was able to market myself as a good player and I did that name to show people that you can be the best athlete you want to be. Of course, I did the name to get the notoriety but I [also] showed my talents. I’m a competitive player and that showed on the field. With the name, I wanted to show that I can beat my opponent on the field. So when I’m done beating my opponent, “He Hate Me.”
Q: Do you miss the game at all?
A: I think we all miss the game after we are done, but somewhere down the road you have to get over that. You have your time in the spotlight but then it’s reality after that. You know how to cope, transition and get involved with real-life things because you are not the norm when you play football. Not everybody makes that type of money and not everybody gets to go on and play in the NFL. I love the game and I miss the game of football, but I’m over it. I’m retired and I’m satisfied with that. It’s my time to move on and I have younger siblings that might have an opportunity to play and I can mentor them and guide them down that right path of success. That’s what I’m focusing on now.