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
OUR FAVORITE STUFF
Las Vegas Outlaws
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, WLAF and XFL jerseys.
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Heavyweight sewn tackle twill
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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
This Mini Helmet celebrating the original XFL is available through Royal Retros.
15 oz. mini helmet
Style worn by the Outlaws 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
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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
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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
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