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Love-Hate relationship City of Brotherly Love embracing 'He Hate Me'
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Rod Smart, whose nickname on the back of his jersey became a symbol of the defunct XFL, spent his first day with the Philadelphia Eagles answering more questions about his name than his playing ability. "Basically, it's me playing against my opponent, and if I outdo him, he's going to hate me," said the man who wore "He Hate Me" on his back in the one-year XFL. Plenty of defenders must not have liked Smart in the XFL. The 5-foot-11, 191-pound running back was second in the league in rushing, gaining 555 yards in 146 carries and scoring three touchdowns for the Las Vegas Outlaws. He also led the team in receptions with 27 for 245 yards. But he was known less for his running than for "He Hate Me," which he proudly displayed on his back instead of his given name in a league that encouraged players to be outrageous. "It was a last-minute thing when they wanted us to put something on our jerseys. It was just being creative," Smart said. "I didn't expect it, but it worked for me. It helped me get noticed, coming from a smaller school. We ran the option so a lot of teams aren't looking at that. "The name catches people's attention so they want to watch and see what that guy can do. I proved to people what I can do, showed my ability." Smart played at Western Kentucky under coach Jack Harbaugh, father of John Harbaugh, Philadelphia's special teams coach. He also is a first cousin of Eagles wide receiver Freddie Mitchell, with whom he grew up in Lakeland, Fla. "It's not about his name, it's about his talent," Mitchell said. "I hope he has an impact on the team." Eagles head coach Andy Reid said he likes Smart's "quickness and speed." He isn't concerned that Smart might be a problem player because of his nickname. "We try to do our homework on it. If you talk to all the coaches that have coached him, they speak highly of the guy," Reid said. "You have to understand the circumstance, understand that league. "I think that league was that way. They were banking on that to sell tickets. I understand the scheme involved. I don't think he's that type of kid. I wouldn't have got him in here if I thought he would be a problem." Smart already has heard jokes from his new teammates and coaches. "I asked him who his English teacher was," Reid said. "First name: He, last name: Me, with middle name of Hate," quarterback Donovan McNabb said when asked what he calls Smart. "For Rod Smart, you expect that. I think he'll have a lot of fun with it." McNabb paused, then said: "Didn't think I knew his real name, huh?" Smart spent a month in the spring of 2000 on the San Diego Chargers' roster and also had a brief stint in the Canadian Football League. He probably won't get a chance to play with the Eagles unless there is another injury to one of the running backs. Starter Duce Staley is out with an injured shoulder, but is expected to return soon. "He's got excellent speed," McNabb said. "Just seeing him in the walk-through, he's pretty shifty." Smart was surprised he didn't get a call sooner. But he doesn't care what people call him. "It was a patient wait," he said. "Now I got my foot in the door. I have to make it happen. Whatever the fans like, they can call me. I'm still Rod Smart, but I'm 'He Hate Me.'"
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