The XFL was a professional American football league that was created as a joint venture between the WWE and NBC. It was intended to take place during the NFL off-season, but only one season was played in 2001. The XFL is renowned for having fewer rules than other major leagues and it encouraged a rougher play. The league consisted of eight teams in two divisions.
The XFL was an alternative to the NFL. McMahon felt that the nation’s favorite game needed a kick up the backside and that he’s the man to do it. McMahon is never one to shirk standing out from the crowd as he has always been bold enough to put his money where his mouth his. McMahon made The XFL as different to The NFL as possible. For instance, the coin toss before every game was replaced by a scramble for control and rather than a tie, the conclusion of a match would see a game go to overtime.
Other changes made to The XFL include:
– There was no extra-point kicking option. Teams had to run or pass for that single point.
– The AFL bump-and-run rule was revived, which allowed defensive backs to chuck receivers up and down the field.
– There were no fair catches on punts.
– There was a 35-second play clock (as opposed to the 40-second NFL play clock).
– There were microphones and cameras in the locker rooms and huddles.
– Players could identify themselves in any way they so choose on the back of their jerseys. The most notable player in the entire XFL even had the words “He Hate Me” placed on the back of his jersey.
The XFL did enable players to extend their careers and some used that spring league as a springboard to The NFL. The Los Angeles Xtreme won the only XFL Championship and its quarterback, Tommy Maddox, was selected the league MVP.
Maddox signed with The Pittsburgh Steelers that fall as a backup to Kordell Stewart. He stepped in for an injured Stewart in 2002 and quarterbacked The Steelers to an AFC North title, capturing NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors.
Other notable players that came out of The XFL include:
– Mike Furrey = Furrey played wide receiver for The Las Vegas Outlaws. He went on to lead The NFC in receptions with the Detroit Lions in 2006 with 98.
– Paris Lenon = Lenon played linebacker for The Memphis Maniax. He went on to play 12 seasons in The NFL, starting 128 games for five different teams. He lasted longer in The NFL than any other XFL alum, retiring after The 2013 season.
– Bobby Singh = Singh played guard for The Los Angeles Xtreme. He went on to play seven seasons in The Canadian Football League, winning the league’s outstanding offensive lineman award in 2003 and a Grey Cup with The British Columbia Lions in 2006. Singh also was a member of The 1999 St. Louis Rams — making him a rare champion in three different leagues.
– Rod “He Hate Me” Smart = Smart was the first star in The XFL simply by identifying himself on the back of his Las Vegas jersey with the words, “He Hate Me.” Smart finished second in The XFL in rushing and went on to play five NFL seasons, primarily as a special-teamer and kick returner. He returned a kickoff for a touchdown 100 yards in 2003.
So who was the best player to come out of the XFL – Furrey, Lenon, Maddox, Singh or Smart?
According to online reports and an online poll, Rod “He Hate Me” Smart is the best player ever to come out of The XFL followed by Tommy Maddox, Mike Furrey, Paris Lenon and Bobby Singh. As we all know by now, The XFL will be making a come back in early 2020 and fans as well as the experts and the media would really want to see this top 5 players make a return as well in the new XFL and really showcase their talents as they did in the original XFL.
