Tombstone
Born: 2000 – XFL founding franchise
Folded: May 10, 2001
First Game: February 3, 2001 (L 19-0 @ Las Vegas Outlaws)
Last Game: April 8, 2001 (W 22-0 @ Birmingham Thunderbolts)
XFL Championships: None
Stadium
Giants Stadium
Opened: 1976
Demolished: 2010
Marketing
Team Colors:
Ownership
Owner: XFL
Attendance
The Hitmen had the 2nd highest attendance in the XFL during the 2001 season, trailing only the San Francisco Demons.
Source: Kenn.com Attendance Project
Our Favorite Stuff
NY-NJ Hitmen
XFL Logo T-Shirt
Vince McMahon’s original 8-team XFL announced its collection of team names and logos at WWE’s Times Square theme restaurant in Manhattan in August 2000. Chicago Enforcers coach Dick Butkus’ neatly summarized the league’s faux-edgy, macho approach that extended to all eight team brands: “We’re not going to have any animals and nothing that flies.”
This Hitmen design is available in sizes Small through 4XL today at Old School Shirts!
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Background
The New York/New Jersey Hitmen were one of eight franchises in the XFL, a short-lived spring football promotion backed by the World Wrestling Federation and NBC. The team played just ten games in its existence, finishing the 2001 season at 4-6 and outside the playoffs.
The Hitmen roster consisted of a journeymen players from the fringes of the late 1990’s NFL and NFL Europe. Some other XFL franchises featured high profile NFL 1st round draft busts such as Jim Druckenmiller, Tommy Maddox and former Heisman winner Rashaan Salaam. The Hitmen featured no such name-brand players.
Opening Game No-Show
Under head coach Rusty Tillman and offensive coordinator Greg Briner, the Hitmen suffered from an anemic offense. The Hitmen played in the league’s debut game on February 3, 2001 against the Las Vegas Outlaws in Nevada. Months of hype and WWF brand loyalty led to blockbuster Neilsen ratings with over 15 million homes tuned in. The Hitmen gave the new league a black eye with a flaccid offensive effort in a 19-0 loss. XFL viewership on NBC plunged more than 50% the following week and never recovered.
Demise
The Hitmen failed to score more than 20 points in each of their first nine games. They post a season-high 22 points in their regular season finale against the Birmingham Thunderbolts on April 8, 2001. This also proved to be the last Hitmen appearance ever, as the team failed to make the playoffs and the entire XFL went up in flames one month later.
New York/New Jersey Hitmen Shop
OUR FAVORITE STUFF
NY-NJ Hitmen
XFL Replica Jersey
When it comes to Replica Jerseys, we turn to our friends at Royal Retros, who put extraordinary detail into their fully customizable USFL, WFL, XFL and WLAF jerseys.
Free Customization Included
Any name and number
Heavyweight sewn tackle twill letters & numbers
100% polyester
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!
XFL MINI-HELMETS
NY-NJ Hitmen
Mini-Helmet
This United States Football League Mini Helmet is available through Royal Retros.
15 oz. mini helmet
Style worn by the Hitmen in 2001
Available in the classic helmet style by Schutt or modern style by Riddell
Typically ships in 3-5 business days
Fulfilled by 417 Helmets
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!
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
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New York/New Jersey Hitmen Video
The Hitmen host the Orlando Rage at Giants Stadium on February 18, 2001.
In Memoriam
Offensive guard Troy Stark suffered a knee injury during the first month of the 2001 season. The Hitmen placed him on injured reserve and he had knee surgery. Stark had a second surgery in May 2001. The 28-year old was found dead on June 1, 2001. Authorities believe that physical therapy following Stark’s second surgery may have loosened a blood clot that made its way to his lungs.
Links
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One Response
Looking forward to see the XFL’s return. This is very exciting. I hope this time around it will be handled better and become a regular, seasonal sport. Good luck and will be watching.