UPDATED 7:07 p.m. ET: Rod Smart has been found after being reported missing, according to Scott Fowler of Charlotte Observer.
UPDATE: Rod Smart has been located and is "safe," according to police. So thank God for that. Updated column coming in awhile. https://t.co/UX0upMY0hc
See original story below.
Former XFL and NFL athlete Rod "He Hate Me" Smart is missing, according to South Carolina authorities.
The 42-year-old Smart was last seen on Wednesday, leading Smart's family and the Lancaster County Sheriff department to plea for the public's help.
"It is unusual for him to be out of touch for this long," county deputies said in a statement released on Tuesday. "Mr. Smart's family is worried about his safety and well-being."
Smart was driving a 2016 silver Nissan Maxima with North Carolina plates through Indian Land, South Carolina the day he went missing. Per the sheriff's department's legal adviser, Doug Barfield, they have tapped other agencies to help with this active investigation.
Outside of his brash nickname, Smart is best known for his stint in the XFL. In 2001—during his one and only season with the league—he was the XFL's second-leading rusher. This parlayed into a five-year career as an NFL back-up running back. During this time he mostly served as a kick returner for the Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers. He played in the 2004 Super Bowl between the Panthers and the Patriots in addition to returning a 100-yard kick during the Panthers' 19-13 win over the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 5, 2003.
