In a moment of profound relief for his friends and family and the NFL community, former Carolina Panthers running back Rod Smart has been found safe, per Andrew Dys of the Rock Hill Herald. We heard earlier today that Smart was missing, and that he hadn't been seen since last week.

It was reported that Smith was last seen on June 12 in Indian Land, near Charlotte, North Carolina. The local Sheriff's office appealed online for help in locating him, and it became a national news story. At the time, news stories indicated that Smith's family hadn't heard from him in a week, which was unusual for him.

A Western Kentucky product, Smart went undrafted and failed to make an NFL roster right out of college. After being cut by the (then-San Diego) Chargers prior to the start of the 2000 NFL season, he signed with the XFL.

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Playing for the Las Vegas Outlaws, Smart became one of the league's most prominent players because of his nickname, “He Hate Me.” In the XFL players wore their nicknames on the backs of their jerseys, and the image of Smart's jersey has become iconic.

Rod Smart finished second in the league in rushing, and was able to make it back to the NFL after the league collapsed after just one season. Smart had a brief stint with the Philadelphia Eagles before latching on with the Panthers.

He spent the next four years with Carolina, and made the Super Bowl with the team in the 2003 season. Smart mostly played on special teams with the Panthers. Regardless of anything he did on a football field, it is great news that he has been found safe.