Mike Furrey on the cover of a 2001 Las Vegas Outlaws XFL program

Las Vegas Outlaws (2001)

XFL (2001)

Tombstone

Born: 2000 – XFL founding franchise
Folded: May 10, 2001

First Game: February 3, 2001 (W 19-0 vs. New York-New Jersey Hitmen)
Last Game
: April 7, 2001 (L 16-3 vs. Memphis Maniax)

XFL Championships: None

Stadium

Sam Boyd Stadium
Opened: 1971

Marketing

Team Colors:

Ownership

Owner: XFL

Attendance

Tap (mobile) or mouse over chart for figures. Tilting your mobile device may offer better viewing.

Source: Kenn.com Attendance Project

 

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Background

This April Fools Day 2001 program (above) is from the final few weeks of the XFL, the doomed spring football partnership between NBC and Vince McMahon of World Wrestling Entertainment.  The XFL is an object of such universal scorn and ridicule – ESPN voted it #2 on its list of the 25 Biggest Sports Flops – that people forget the league had a rather decent reception at the gate.  The Outlaws claimed a respectable average of over 22,000 per game for 5 dates at Sam Boyd Stadium.

The XFL was ultimately sunk by abysmal television ratings and a lack of competitive credibility.  Few of the league’s players went on to make a significant impact in the NFL. But Las Vegas boasted two of the exceptions.

He Hate Me

Rod Smart was one of the XFL’s best known players, thanks to the impromptu “He Hate Me” nickname embroidered on his uniform nameplate which featured prominently in the XFL’s first NBC national television broadcast in February 2001.  Smart went on to a five-year NFL career and appeared in Super Bowl XXXVIII with the Carolina Panthers.

Mike Furrey

Program cover boy Mike Furrey (top) put up modest numbers in the XFL (18 catches for 243 yards and 1 touchdown) but later embarked on a fascinating 8-year NFL career.  After the XFL folded in May 2001, it took Furrey another two seasons of play in the Arena Football League to earn his shot at the NFL.  After two years as a reserve wide receiver and special teams contributor for the St. Louis Rams, Furrey earned a starting job at free safety in the Rams injury-depleted defensive secondary during the 2005 season.  He recorded two key late-game interceptions for the Rams, returning one for game-clinching touchdown.  Released by the Rams after the 2005 season, Furrey signed as a free agent with the Detroit Lions and promptly led the NFC in receptions with 98 catches in 2006, after recording zero catches for the Rams the previous season.

Furrey’s NFL career ultimately lasted eight years.  He played his final game with the Washington Redskins in 2010.  Furrey suffered a number of concussions during his playing career. In 2011 he signed on as party to a class-action lawsuit against the NFL over its management of concussion-related risks to players.

 

Las Vegas Outlaws Shop

XFL MINI-HELMETS

Las Vegas Outlaws Mini-Helmet

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Las Vegas Outlaws XFL Football Logo T-Shirt

Las Vegas Outlaws Logo T-Shirt
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Editor's Pick

This Was The XFL

ESPN Films 30 for 30 (DVD)
Directed by Charlie Ebersol
 

Charlie Ebersol, son of XFL co-founder Dick Ebersol (NBC Sports), directs this ESPN 30 for 30 documentary re-telling of the star-crossed 2001 season of Vince McMahon’s pro football/pro wrestling mash-up, the XFL.  Weirdly, the process of making this film inspired Charlie Ebersol to try his own hand at running a  spring football league. Ebersol’s equally messy Alliance of American Football would ultimately become a saga worthy of its own 30 for 30 treatment someday.

Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVTi1g1MTOg

When you make a purchase through an affiliate link like this one, Fun While It Lasted earns a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support

 

 

 

Las Vegas Outlaws Video

The XFL’s debut game on February 3, 2001.  Outlaws vs. New York-New Jersey Hit Men at Sam Boyd Stadium.

 

Links

XFL Media Guides

XFL Programs

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