View source for Emmitt Smith

{{Short description|American football player (born 1969)}}
{{for|his son and college football running back|E. J. Smith (American football)}}
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{{Use American English|date=August 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name        = Emmitt Smith
| image       = Super Bowl 44 Emmitt Smith (4344089199) (cropped).jpg
| alt         =
| caption     = Smith in 2010
| number      = 22
| position    = [[Running back]]
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1969|5|15|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Pensacola, Florida]], U.S.
| death_date  = 
| death_place = 
| height_ft   = 5
| height_in   = 9
| weight_lb   = 221
| high_school = [[Escambia High School|Escambia]] (Pensacola)
| college     = [[Florida Gators football|Florida]] (1987–1989)
| draftyear   = 1990
| draftround  = 1
| draftpick   = 17
| pastteams   =
* [[Dallas Cowboys]] ({{NFL Year|1990|2002}})
* [[Arizona Cardinals]] ({{NFL Year|2003|2004}})
| highlights  =
* 3× [[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XXVII|XXVII]], [[Super Bowl XXVIII|XXVIII]], [[Super Bowl XXX|XXX]])
* [[Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award|Super Bowl MVP]] ([[Super Bowl XXVIII|XXVIII]])
* [[NFL Most Valuable Player]] (1993)
* [[NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year]] (1990)
* 4× First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1992 All-Pro Team|1992]]–[[1995 All-Pro Team|1995]])
* Second-team All-Pro ([[1991 All-Pro Team|1991]])
* 8× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1991 Pro Bowl|1990]]–[[1996 Pro Bowl|1995]], [[1999 Pro Bowl|1998]], [[2000 Pro Bowl|1999]])
* 4× [[List of NFL rushing champions|NFL rushing yards leader]] (1991–1993, 1995)
* 3× [[List of NFL season rushing touchdowns leaders|NFL rushing touchdowns leader]] (1992, 1994, 1995)
* [[NFL scoring leader]]  (1995)
* [[National Football League 1990s All-Decade Team|NFL 1990s All-Decade Team]]
* [[NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[Bert Bell Award]] (1993)
* [[The Sporting News#Athlete of the Year|''SN'' Athlete of the Year]] (1994)
* [[PFWA All-Rookie Team]] ([[PFWA All-Rookie Team#1990|1990]])
* [[Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor]]
* [[List of unanimous All-Americans in college football|Unanimous All-American]] ([[1989 College Football All-America Team|1989]])
* [[Southeastern Conference football individual awards#Most Valuable Player|SEC Most Valuable Player]] (1989)
* [[Southeastern Conference football individual awards#Freshman of the Year|SEC Freshman of the Year]] (1987)
* 3× First team [[List of All-SEC football teams|All-SEC]] ([[1987 All-SEC football team|1987]]–[[1989 All-SEC football team|1989]])
* [[Florida Gators football#Ring of Honor|Florida Football Ring of Honor]]
;NFL records
* [[List of National Football League career rushing yards leaders|Most career rushing yards]]: 18,355
* [[List of National Football League career rushing touchdowns leaders|Most career rushing touchdowns]]: 164
* [[List of National Football League rushing attempts leaders|Most career rushing attempts]]: 4,409
| statlabel1  = Rushing yards
| statvalue1  = 18,355
| statlabel2  = Rushing average
| statvalue2  = 4.2
| statlabel3  = Rushing [[touchdown]]s
| statvalue3  = 164
| statlabel4  = [[Reception (gridiron football)|Receptions]]
| statvalue4  = 515
| statlabel5  = Receiving yards
| statvalue5  = 3,224
| statlabel6  = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue6  = 11
| pfr         = SmitEm00
| HOF         = emmitt-smith
| CollegeHOF  = 2187 
}}

'''Emmitt James Smith III''' (born May 15, 1969) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] [[running back]] who played in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) for 15 seasons, primarily with the [[Dallas Cowboys]]. He is the [[List of National Football League career rushing yards leaders|league's all-time leading rusher]], and is widely considered to be one of the greatest running backs of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who are the 10 greatest running backs of all time? |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/daily-ranker-who-10-greatest-running-backs-all-time |access-date=2025-12-28 |website=www.foxsports.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gil Brandt's 25 greatest NFL running backs of all time |url=https://www.nfl.com/photos/gil-brandt-s-25-greatest-nfl-running-backs-of-all-time-0ap3000000815786 |access-date=2025-12-28 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=McVey |first=Rob |date=2021-03-01 |title=25 Best Running Backs in NFL History |url=https://athlonsports.com/nfl/25-greatest-running-backs-nfl-history |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251023023652/https://athlonsports.com/nfl/25-greatest-running-backs-nfl-history |archive-date=2025-10-23 |access-date=2025-12-28 |work=Athlon Sports |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-08-10 |title=Joe Posnanski's Top 32 All-Time RBs |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2010/08/10/10joe-posnanskis-top-32-all-time-rbs |access-date=2025-12-28 |website=SI |language=en-US}}</ref>

Smith grew up in [[Pensacola, Florida]], and became the second-leading rusher in American [[high school football]] history while playing for [[Escambia High School]]. Smith played three years of [[college football]] for the [[Florida Gators football|Florida Gators]], setting several school rushing records. After being named a [[unanimous All-American]] in 1989, Smith chose to forgo his senior year of eligibility and play professionally.

The Cowboys selected Smith in the first round of the [[1990 NFL draft]] with the 17th overall pick. During his long professional career, he rushed for 18,355 yards, breaking the record formerly held by [[Walter Payton]]. He also holds the record for career rushing touchdowns with 164.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Rushing Touchdowns Career Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rush_td_career.htm |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Smith is the only running back to ever win a Super Bowl championship, the NFL Most Valuable Player award, the NFL rushing crown, and the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award all in the same season (1993). He is also one of four running backs to lead the NFL in rushing three or more consecutive seasons, joining [[Steve Van Buren]], [[Jim Brown]], and [[Earl Campbell]]. Smith led the league in rushing and won the [[Super Bowl]] in the same year three times (1992, 1993, and 1995) when to that point it had never been done. Smith is also one of only two non-kickers in NFL history to score more than 1,000 career points (the other being [[Jerry Rice]]). Smith was inducted to the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 2010 and the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 2006.

Smith played 13 seasons with the Cowboys and two with the [[Arizona Cardinals]]. While playing for Dallas, Smith plus quarterback [[Troy Aikman]] and wide receiver [[Michael Irvin]] were known as "The Triplets," and led their team to three [[Super Bowl]] wins during the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2005 |title='Triplets' honored: Aikman, Emmitt, Irvin in Dallas' Ring |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2166604 |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Early life==

Smith was born in [[Pensacola, Florida]], the son of Mary J. Smith and Emmitt James Smith Jr.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hill Jr. |first=Clarence E. |date=November 28, 2016 |title=Mary Smith, the mother of HOF RB Emmitt Smith, has passed away |url=https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article117560323.html |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=Star-Telegram.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 16, 2023 |title=Pensacola native Emmitt Smith's father passes after lifetime serving family, community |url=https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/2023/02/16/emmitt-smith-pensacola-native-dallas-cowboy-loses-father/69911399007/ |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=Pensacola News Journal |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=2|series=Who Do You Think You Are?|series-link=Who Do You Think You Are? (American TV series)|network=[[NBC]]|airdate=March 12, 2010|season=1|number=2}}</ref> At the age of eight, he played his first organized football game on a team that was sponsored by the Salvation Army.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/cowboys/2016/11/28/flashback-emmitt-smith-s-path-to-stardom-with-the-cowboys-and-his-late-mother-s-role-in-getting-him-there/|title=Flashback: Emmitt Smith's path to stardom with the Cowboys, and his late mother's role in getting him there|date=November 28, 2016|website=Dallas News|language=en|access-date=December 12, 2019}}</ref> He attended [[Escambia High School]] in Pensacola, where he played high school football and ran track for the Escambia Gators. During Smith's high school football career, Escambia won two state football championships, and Smith rushed for 106 touchdowns and 8,804 yards, which was the second most yardage in the history of American high school football at the time. Emmitt rushed for over 100 yards in 45 of the 49 games he started for Escambia (including the last 28 in a row) and finished with a 7.8 yards per carry average.<ref name="cnn1">{{cite magazine|last=Zimmerman |first=Paul |url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1140384/index.htm |title=As he was in high school and college, Emmitt Smith |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=October 21, 1991 |access-date=November 28, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803022244/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1140384/index.htm |archive-date=August 3, 2009 }}</ref> Twice, he broke the 2,000-yard rushing mark in a season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allsports.com/players/emmit-smith/ |title=Emmitt Smith Career Biography and Statistics |work=Allsports.com |access-date=November 28, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012030135/http://www.allsports.com/players/emmit-smith/ |archive-date=October 12, 2008 }}</ref> In [[track & field]], Smith competed as a sprinter and was a member of the [[4 x 100 metres relay|4 × 100 m]] (42.16 s) relay squad.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.trackingfootball.com/players/emmitt-smith-3941/ |title=Emmitt Smith &#124; Florida &#124; Cowboys RB |access-date=October 18, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024044308/https://www.trackingfootball.com/players/emmitt-smith-3941/ |archive-date=October 24, 2014 }}</ref>

For his efforts, Smith was named the 1986 national high school player of the year by several publications and organizations, including ''[[USA Today All-USA high school football team|USA Today]]'', ''[[Parade All-American|Parade Magazine]]'', and [[Gatorade Player of the Year awards|Gatorade]].<ref name="espn1">{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Kris |date=September 7, 2005 |title=Emmitt gives new meaning to Sweetness |url=https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Smith_Emmitt.html |access-date=October 19, 2021 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> In 2007, twenty years after Smith graduated from high school, the [[Florida High School Athletic Association]] (FHSAA) named Smith to its All-Century Team and recognized him as the Florida high school football "Player of the Century."<ref name="fhsaa12122007">{{cite news |title=Florida player of century: Emmitt Smith |url=https://www.gainesville.com/news/20071216/fla-player-of-century-emmitt-smith |access-date=January 8, 2021 |work=The Gainesville Sun |date=December 16, 2007 |language=en}}</ref>

Despite his accomplishments and accolades, some college recruiting analysts opined that he was too small and slow to succeed in major college football when he signed to play for the University of Florida.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gainesville.com/article/20060517/GATORS01/205170347 |title=Hall of Fame welcomes Emmitt Smith |work= The Gainesville Sun |date=May 17, 2006 |access-date=November 28, 2008}}</ref> Recruiting expert Max Emfinger didn't list Smith among the top 50 high school running backs in his high school class and opined that, "Emmitt Smith is a lugger, not a runner. He's not fast. He can't get around the corner. When he falls flat on his face, remember where you heard it first."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-xpm-2010-08-06-os-bianchi-saturday-circus-20100806-story.html |title=Emmitt Smith is why you never trust recruiting 'experts' |work=The Orlando Sentinel |date=August 6, 2010 |access-date=October 19, 2021}}</ref><ref name="NYTimes">{{cite news |last=Hannon |first=Kent |title=FLORIDA'S SMITH PASSES THE FRESHMAN CLASS |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/31/sports/florida-s-smith-passes-the-freshman-class.html |access-date=January 11, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 31, 1987}}</ref>

==College career==

=== 1987 season ===
Smith accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the [[University of Florida]] in [[Gainesville, Florida|Gainesville]], where he played for coach [[Galen Hall]]'s [[Florida Gators football|Gators]] for three seasons {{nowrap|([[1987 Florida Gators football team|1987]]–[[1989 Florida Gators football team|1989]]).<ref name=ufmediaguide>''[http://web.gatorzone.com/football/media/2011/media_guide.pdf 2011 Florida Gators Football Media Guide] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402035222/http://web.gatorzone.com/football/media/2011/media_guide.pdf |date=April 2, 2012 }}'', University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 82, 83, 86, 88, 92, 96, 98, 99, 101–102, 127, 138–140, 143, 146–148, 152, 158, 159, 162, 173, 185 (2011). Retrieved August 31, 2011.</ref>}} He did not start the first two games of his college career in the fall of 1987, but made the most of his opportunities in a second-week rout of [[Tulsa Golden Hurricane football|Tulsa]] in which he gained 109 yards on just ten carries, including a 66-yard touchdown run.<ref name="cnn2">{{cite news|last=Telander |first=Rick |url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1066692/index.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102154020/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1066692/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 2, 2013 |title=Hopes were high for Florida's Emmitt Smith and Ohio – 11.16.87 – SI Vault |publisher=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=November 16, 1987 |access-date=December 26, 2008 }}</ref> That performance earned him a spot in the starting lineup the following week in the Gators' SEC opener against [[1987 Alabama Crimson Tide football team|Alabama]] at [[Legion Field]].

In his first collegiate start, Smith promptly broke Florida's 57-year-old all-time single game rushing record held by [[Red Bethea]], carrying 39 times for 224 yards and two touchdowns as the Gators upset the Crimson Tide.<ref name="cnn1" /> Smith went on to break the 1,000-yard barrier in the seventh game of his freshman season, the fastest any running back had ever broken that barrier to begin his college career.<ref name="cnn1" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2011/FBS.pdf|title=NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records. p. 5}}</ref> He finished the season with 1,341 yards, was named SEC and National Freshman of the Year,<ref name=ufmediaguide /> and was ninth in the [[1987 NCAA Division I-A football season#Heisman Trophy|balloting]] for the [[Heisman Trophy]].<ref name="hewbytb">{{Cite news |last=Greene |first=Bob |date=December 6, 1987 |title=Heisman is won by Tim Brown |page=1E |work=Gainesville Sun |agency=Associated Press|via=Google News |location=Florida |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ukBWAAAAIBAJ&pg=4433%2C1791086}}</ref><ref name="ergheiv">{{Cite news |date=December 6, 1987 |title=Heisman voting |page=2F |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=Oregon |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vnw1AAAAIBAJ&pg=5160%2C1615385 |via=Google News}}</ref><!--<ref name="ndwhesm">{{Cite news |date=December 6, 1987 |title=Notre Dame receiver wins the Heisman |page=1F |work=Eugene Register-Guard |agency=Associated Press|via=Google News |location=(Oregon) |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vnw1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=e-EDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5021%2C1607597}}</ref>--><ref name="gatorzone1">{{cite web |url=http://www.gatorzone.com/story.php?id=12405&sport=footb&html=football/news/20070721072100.html |title=Former Gator Great Emmitt Smith Enshrined Into College Football Hall of Fame |work=Gatorzone.com |date=July 21, 2007 |access-date=November 28, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001185604/http://www.gatorzone.com/story.php?id=12405&sport=footb&html=football%2Fnews%2F20070721072100.html |archive-date=October 1, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== 1988 season ===
The Gators got off to a 5–0 start in [[1988 Florida Gators football team|1988]] with Smith averaging over 120 rushing yards per game. However, during the sixth contest against [[Memphis Tigers football|Memphis State]] in mid-October, he was sidelined with a sprained knee while starting quarterback Kyle Morris broke his finger, leading to an upset loss.<ref>{{cite news |title=Southeast Roundup: Florida Upset by Memphis State; LSU Beats Auburn With Late Score |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-10-09-sp-5466-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 9, 1988}}</ref> Smith was unable to return to action for a month, during which Florida lost four games in a row and did not score a touchdown in 14 consecutive quarters of play, including a 16–0 loss to [[1988 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn]] that is their most recent shutout to date.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tully |first=Jonathan |date=October 30, 2021 |title=When was the last time the Florida Gators were shut out? It's been a long time. |url=https://www.gatorsports.com/story/football/2021/10/30/when-last-time-gators-were-shut-out-its-been-while/6214521001/ |website=Gatorspots.com |publisher=The Gainesville Sun}}</ref>

Smith returned to the lineup in mid-November and Florida won two of its final three games, highlighted by a victory in the [[1988 All-American Bowl|All-American Bowl]] in which he ran 55-yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage and was named the game's MVP.<ref name="bowlrecords">{{cite book | url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2011/Bowls.pdf | title=Bowl / All-Star Game Records | publisher=NCAA | year=2011 | pages=100}}</ref> Smith rushed for 988 yards on the year (not including the bowl game) at 110 yards per game, the lowest totals of his college career.<ref name=ufmediaguide />

=== 1989 season ===
Smith stayed healthy throughout his junior season in 1989 and found success again. He finished the campaign with Florida records for rushing yards in a season (1,599), rushing yards in a single game (316 versus [[University of New Mexico|New Mexico]] in October 1989), longest rushing play (96 yards against [[Mississippi State Bulldogs football|Mississippi State]] in 1988), career rushing yards (3,928), career rushing yards per game (126.7), and career rushing touchdowns (36), among many others. In all, Smith owned 58 school records at the conclusion of his Florida career<ref name=ufmediaguide /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emmittsmith.com/ssp/highlights/ |title=Career Highlights |work=Emmitt Smith Official website |access-date=November 28, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024145308/http://www.emmittsmith.com/ssp/highlights/ |archive-date=October 24, 2008 }}</ref> despite playing on Florida teams with virtually no passing game, which made him the focal point of opposing defenses.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-11-19-sp-389-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |title=Heisman Race: What Should Count Most? | first=Don | last=Markus |date=November 19, 1989 |access-date=May 2, 2010}}</ref>

At the conclusion of his junior season in [[1989 Florida Gators football team|1989]], Smith was named a first-team All-SEC selection for the third year and SEC Player of the Year, was a [[List of unanimous All-Americans in college football|unanimous first-team All-American]], and finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy balloting.<ref name=ufmediaguide /><ref>''2012 NCAA Football Records Book'', [http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2012/Awards.pdf Award Winners], National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, pp. 9 & 14 (2012). Retrieved September 14, 2012.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1989 Heisman Trophy Voting |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-1989.html |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In his final game in the [[1989 Freedom Bowl|Freedom Bowl]], he had few rushing attempts after Florida fell behind [[1989 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]] early and were forced to throw.<ref name=gsnflop>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rEpWAAAAIBAJ&pg=4949%2C9461934 |newspaper=Gainesville Sun |location=Florida |last=King |first=Bill |title=Florida finishes with a flop 34–7 |date=December 31, 1989 |page=1C}}</ref><ref name=erghroll>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xqxjAAAAIBAJ&pg=5192%2C8590617 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |location=Oregon |agency=Associated Press |title=Huskies roll past Florida in 34–7 win|date=December 31, 1989 |page=1D }}</ref><ref name=borst>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JLkSAAAAIBAJ&pg=3971%2C99714 |newspaper=Spokane Chronicle |location=Washington |last=Borst |first=Don |agency=McClatchey News Service |title=After Freedom Bowl win, Huskies optimistic for '90 |date=January 1, 1990 |page=C2}}</ref>

Days later on January 1, [[1990 Florida Gators football team|1990]], [[Steve Spurrier]] was introduced as the Gators' new head coach.<ref name=spacfof>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sklOAAAAIBAJ&pg=6351%2C50526 |work=Wilmington Morning Star |location=North Carolina|last=Kallestad |first=Brent |title=Spurrier accepts Florida offer |date=January 1, 1990 |page=1B}}</ref> Smith, concerned about his potential role in Spurrier's reportedly pass-first offense, decided to forgo his senior year at Florida and enter [[1990 NFL draft|the NFL draft]], which for the first time in history allowed juniors to be eligible.<ref name="espn1" />{{efn-ua|Smith's school rushing record would be broken by [[Errict Rhett]], Spurrier's first starting running back at Florida, albeit over four seasons instead of three and on 173 more rushing attempts.<ref name=ufmediaguide />}} Smith returned to the university during the NFL off-season and completed his bachelor's degree in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Luksa |first=Frank |last2= |first2= |date=1996-05-06 |title=SIX YEARS LATER, EMMITT SMITH FINALLY GETS HIS COLLEGE DIPLOMA |url=https://www.deseret.com/1996/5/6/19240637/six-years-later-emmitt-smith-finally-gets-his-college-diploma/ |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Deseret News |agency=Dallas Morning News}}</ref>

Smith was subsequently inducted into the [[List of University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame members|University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame]] as a "Gator Great" in 1999,<ref>F Club, Hall of Fame, [http://www.gatorfclub.org/hall-of-fame/greats  Gator Greats]. Retrieved December 14, 2014.</ref><ref>Dwight Collins, "[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6H9RAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pggEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6401,5980827&dq=emmitt-smith+university-of-florida+hall-of-fame&hl=en UF inductees bask in glory]," ''Ocala Star-Banner'', p. 7D (September 11, 1999). Retrieved July 23, 2011.</ref> the [[Gator Football Ring of Honor]] and the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] in 2006.<ref>College Football Hall of Fame, Hall of Famers, [{{College Football HoF/url|id=2187}} Emmitt Smith]. Retrieved April 12, 2011.</ref> As part of a series of articles written for ''The Gainesville Sun'' in 2006, he was recognized as the No. 3 all-time player among the top 100 from the first 100 years of the Gators football program.<ref>Robbie Andreu & Pat Dooley, "[http://www.gainesville.com/article/20060831/GATORS70/60830007  No. 3 Emmitt Smith]," ''The Gainesville Sun'' (August 31, 2006). Retrieved March 30, 2013.</ref>

==Professional career==

===Dallas Cowboys (1990–2002)===

In the [[1990 NFL draft]], the [[Dallas Cowboys]] considered drafting [[linebacker]] [[James Francis (American football)|James Francis]] with their first round selection, but after he was taken by the [[Cincinnati Bengals]], the Cowboys focused on improving their running game when Smith started dropping, because despite his collegiate success, some NFL teams still felt that Smith was too small and slow for the pro game.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2005/02/04/super-notes-how-emmitt-became-cowboy | title=How Emmitt Became A Cowboy | access-date=March 12, 2016 | archive-date=August 8, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808173214/http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2005/02/04/super-notes-how-emmitt-became-cowboy | url-status=dead }}</ref> The Cowboys traded up with the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] moving from the 21st to the 17th pick, in exchange for a third round draft choice (#81-[[Craig Veasey]]), to select Smith in the first round.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19900423&id=GUZSAAAAIBAJ&pg=4567,4842397&hl=es | title=Cowboys add to skill positions | access-date=March 12, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/draft.htm |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Even though he missed all of the preseason after having the longest holdout by a rookie in franchise history,<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19900905&id=Iw4wAAAAIBAJ&pg=1718,2070698&hl=es | title=Emmitt Ends Holdout, Signs With Cowboys | access-date=March 12, 2016}}</ref> he was able to start 15 games and rush for 937 yards and 11 touchdowns, while being named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and receiving [[Pro Bowl]] honors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/probowl.htm |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Pro Football Hall of Fame (38093566614).jpg|thumb|Smith's #22 Cowboys jersey exhibited at the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]]]
In 1991, he had 1,563 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He also clinched the first of four rushing titles, after tallying 160 yards against the [[Atlanta Falcons]] in the season finale.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys – December 22nd, 1991 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199112220dal.htm |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:The Triplets (cropped).jpg|thumb|The trio (pictured) of [[Troy Aikman]], Emmitt Smith, and [[Michael Irvin]] nicknamed "The Triplets" won three Super Bowls and is considered one of the greatest in NFL history.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 14, 2016 |title=Moment 24: The Triplets Enter The Ring Of Honor - CBS Texas |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/moment-24/ |access-date=September 25, 2023 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>]]
In 1992, he set the Cowboys' single-season franchise record and won the rushing title with 1,713 yards. He also became the first player to win the league's rushing title and the [[Super Bowl]] in the same season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Super Bowl 2024: Christian McCaffrey can break rushing title curse and help change way RBs are valued |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/super-bowl-2024-christian-mccaffrey-can-break-rushing-title-curse-and-help-change-way-rbs-are-valued |website=[[CBS Sports]] |access-date=6 June 2024 |language=en |date=9 February 2024}}</ref>

In 1993, he missed all of training camp and the first 2 regular season games. The Cowboys lost both contests with rookie [[Derrick Lassic]] running in his place. With the season in jeopardy the Cowboys relented and reached an agreement, making Smith the highest paid running back in the league.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19930917&id=xIJeAAAAIBAJ&pg=1493,5484764&hl=es | title=Smith Gets His Cash, Rejoins The Cowboys | access-date=March 12, 2016}}</ref> Smith had 1,486 rushing yards, 9 touchdowns, and helped the Cowboys become the first team to win a [[Super Bowl]] after starting the season 0–2. He also received the league MVP and the Super Bowl XXVIII MVP award. On October 31, his 237 rushing yards against the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] set the single-season franchise record. His career signature game came in the season finale against the [[New York Giants]], with the Cowboys desperately trying to clinch the [[NFC East]] title and a first-round bye in the playoffs, Smith suffered a first-degree separation in his right shoulder during the first half, but still finished with 229 total yards and played a key role in a 16–13 overtime win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants – January 2nd, 1994 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199401020nyg.htm |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

The 1994 season saw Smith led the league with 21 rushing touchdowns, a new career-high despite battling a hamstring pull late in the season,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Emmitt Smith 1994 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitEm00/gamelog/1994/ |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> and he was named [[The Sporting News#Athlete of the Year|''The Sporting News'' Athlete of the Year]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 19, 2023 |title=History of The Sporting News' Athlete of the Year awards: Full list of past winners, 1968-2023 {{!}} Sporting News |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/archives/news/sporting-news-athlete-year-awards-full-list-past-winners/b5057b347246de26b7015930 |access-date=November 17, 2025 |website=www.sportingnews.com |language=en-us}}</ref> However, the Cowboys lost the NFC Championship Game to the San Francisco 49ers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship – Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers – January 15th, 1995 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199501150sfo.htm |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

In 1995, Smith became the first player in league history to rush for 1,400 rushing yards or more in five consecutive seasons and set the NFL record with 25 rushing touchdowns.<ref name="Smith ROH">{{cite web |title=#22 Emmitt Smith - Running Back 1990-2002 |url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/team/roh-emmitt-smith |website=Dallas Cowboys |access-date=6 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=NFL Rushing Touchdowns Single-Season Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rush_td_single_season.htm |website=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com]] |access-date=6 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Smith, [[Adrian Peterson]], and [[LaDainian Tomlinson]] are the only players with seven straight ten-touchdown seasons to start their careers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Swartz |first1=Cody |title=Top 10 Greatest Running Backs in NFL History |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/98657-top-10-greatest-running-backs-in-nfl-history |website=[[Bleacher Report]] |access-date=6 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref> He also broke two of [[Tony Dorsett]]'s Dallas franchise rushing records, the first for most consecutive initial games of a season with 100+ rushing yards (Smith's four to Dorsett's three) and the second for single-season rushing yards (1,773 to Dorsett's 1,646). Both records would hold for 19 years until 2014, when [[DeMarco Murray]] rushed for 100+ yards in each of his first eight games and accumulated 1,845 rushing yards over the course of the season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Corbett |first1=Jim |title=DeMarco Murray breaks Emmitt Smith's single-season Cowboys rushing mark |url=https://usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2014/12/28/demarco-murray-dallas-rushing-record-emmitt-smith/20968891/ |website=[[USA Today]] |access-date=6 June 2024}}</ref>

In 1996, he scored his 100th career rushing touchdown and surpassed 10,000 career rushing yards, becoming just the twelfth player in league history and the youngest one to reach this milestone.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-29 |title=All-Time Gators in the NFL: Emmitt Smith (1996) |url=https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/gallery/all-time-gators-in-the-nfl-emmitt-smith-1996/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Gators Wire |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1998, he became the Cowboys' all-time leading rusher (passing Dorsett) and the NFL's all-time rushing touchdown leader (surpassing [[Marcus Allen]]). The next year, he became the NFL's all-time leader in career postseason rushing yards (1,586) and postseason rushing touchdowns (19).<ref name="Smith ROH" />

With 1,021 rushing yards in 2001,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Emmitt Smith 2001 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitEm00/gamelog/2001/ |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Smith became the first player in NFL history with 11 consecutive 1,000 yard seasons and the first to post eleven 1,000-yard rushing seasons in a career.<ref name="Smith ROH" />

In 2002, he reached the goal he set as a rookie, finishing the season with 17,162 career yards and breaking the NFL rushing record previously held by [[Walter Payton]] against the [[2002 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]]. In the same game against the Seahawks, Smith ran for a touchdown that gave him 150 career rushing touchdowns. He finished the 2002 season with 254 carries for 975 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Emmitt Smith 2002 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitEm00/gamelog/2002/ |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> After the season, the Cowboys hired head coach [[Bill Parcells]] who wanted to go with younger running backs and released Smith on February 26, 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2003 |title=Cowboys Release A Football Legend |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cowboys-release-a-football-legend/ |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=CBS News|agency=Associated Press |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2003|agency=Associated Press |title=Dallas run is over: Cowboys cut Emmitt |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/2003/0227/1515406.html |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

===Arizona Cardinals (2003–2004)===

On March 26, 2003, Smith signed a two-year contract as a [[free agent]] with the [[Arizona Cardinals]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Urban |first=Darren |date=March 26, 2003 |title=Cardinals sign Emmitt Smith to 2-year deal |url=https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/news/cardinals-sign-emmitt-smith-to-2-year-deal/article_3b1f1018-b8bd-5de4-baa0-4e6eb49fb06c.html |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=East Valley Tribune |language=en}}</ref> who were not only looking for Smith to improve their team, but also helped them promote it with their local fan base. Responding to questions about what he could do as a 34-year old running back, he said "I think I'm a 1,300-yard back, and I will be out to prove that." Head Coach [[Dave McGinnis]] announced that Smith would start for the Cardinals.<ref>Goldberg, Dave. [http://newsok.com/article/1921804 "Emmitt Smith signs with Cardinals."] [[The Oklahoman]], March 27, 2003. Retrieved March 12, 2016.</ref> On October 5, in a highly anticipated game, he returned to Texas Stadium to play against the [[2003 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]], but suffered a broken left shoulder blade after [[Safety (gridiron football position)|safety]] [[Roy Williams (safety)|Roy Williams]] hit him in the second quarter.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 6, 2003 |title=Emmitt's left shoulder blade broken |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/id/1632083 |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> The Cardinals lost 24–7, and Smith's 6 carries for minus-1 yards marked the first time in his career he rushed for negative yardage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – October 5th, 2003 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200310050dal.htm |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The injury forced him to miss six games, and he eventually finished the season with 90 carries for 256 rushing yards and averaged just 2.8 yards per carry.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Emmitt Smith 2003 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitEm00/gamelog/2003/ |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

In 2004, new head coach [[Dennis Green]] was hired and named Smith as the team's starter at running back.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Reggie |date=January 8, 2004 |title=Arizona hires Dennis Green as its new head coach |url=https://www.wltx.com/article/sports/arizona-hires-dennis-green-as-its-new-head-coach/101-384242371 |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=WLTX |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 18, 2004 |title=Smith named starter |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2004/06/18/smith-named-starter/28811336007/ |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> He posted 937 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Emmitt Smith 2004 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitEm00/gamelog/2004/ |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He became the oldest player in NFL history ever to throw his first touchdown pass, throwing a 21-yard touchdown strike on a [[halfback option play]] against the [[2004 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]] in week 4, the only passing attempt of his career.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals – October 3rd, 2004 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200410030crd.htm |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 4, 2004 |title=Smith provides a little extra, throws TD pass |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/smith-provides-a-little-extra-throws-td-pass-1648677.php |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=Chron.com}}</ref>

Smith had 1,193 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, and averaged 3.2 yards per carry, and also had 212 receiving yards, no receiving touchdowns, and averaged 7.3 yards per reception during his two-year stint in Arizona.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Emmitt Smith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitEm00.htm |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

Three days before [[Super Bowl XXXIX]] on February 3, 2005, Smith announced his retirement from the NFL.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-02-03 |title=Emotional Emmitt bids farewell |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=1983306 |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> He was not re-signed by the Cardinals and signed a one-day contract for one dollar with the Dallas Cowboys, after which he immediately retired with the team he had played with for most of his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.netglimse.com/celebs/pages/emmitt_smith/index.shtml |title=Emmitt Smith – Biography |work=Netglimse.com |access-date=November 28, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119095930/http://netglimse.com/celebs/pages/emmitt_smith/index.shtml |archive-date=January 19, 2009 }}</ref>

===NFL records===
Smith currently holds the NFL record in career rushing yards with 18,355, breaking the previous record held by [[Walter Payton]], on October 27, 2002, against the Seattle Seahawks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 28, 2002 |title=Smith gets record; Seahawks get win|agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/221027006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019114304/https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/221027006 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Jean-Jacques |date=October 26, 2022 |title=Flashback: The day Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith claimed the NFL's most hallowed record |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/cowboys/2022/10/26/flashback-the-day-cowboys-rb-emmitt-smith-claimed-the-nfls-most-hallowed-record/ |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=Dallas News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Jason |date=October 27, 2017 |title=FLASHBACK: Emmitt Smith grateful to God after breaking NFL's rushing record |url=https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/football/2017/10/27/flashback-emmitt-smith-grateful-god-breaking-nfls-rushing-record/ |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=Sports Spectrum |language=en-US}}</ref> He leads all running backs with 164 career rushing touchdowns,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suter |first=Rick |date=April 21, 2023 |title=Which NFL running backs have the most rushing touchdowns of all time? |url=https://thelistwire.usatoday.com/lists/rushing-touchdown-leaders-in-nfl-history/ |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=List Wire |language=en-US}}</ref> and his 175 total touchdowns ranks him second only to [[Jerry Rice]]'s 208. The total of his rushing yards, receiving yards (3,224), and fumble return yards (−15) gives him a total of 21,564 yards from the line of scrimmage, making him one of only four players in NFL history to eclipse the 21,000 combined-yards mark. (The others are [[Jerry Rice]], [[Brian Mitchell (running back)|Brian Mitchell]], and [[Walter Payton]]).

He is the NFL's all-time leader in rushing attempts with 4,409, the only player to post three seasons with 19 or more touchdowns, and the record-holder for most games in a season with a touchdown and most games in a season with a rushing touchdown (15), set in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Rushing Attempts Career Leaders (since 1946) |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rush_att_career.htm |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Emmit Smith Rushing Banner.JPG|thumb|right|280px|Fan banner honoring the NFL's all-time leading rusher banner at [[Texas Stadium]].]]

Smith also accumulated several NFL postseason records, including rushing touchdowns (19), consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (9), and 100-yard rushing games (7). His 1,586 yards rushing is also top on the NFL postseason chart, and he shares the total playoff touchdown mark of 21 with [[Thurman Thomas]]. With the Cowboys, Smith won three Super Bowl rings and rushed for over 100 yards in two of those games, [[Super Bowl XXVII]] (108 yards and a touchdown, and six receptions for 27 yards), and [[Super Bowl XXVIII]] (132 yards and two touchdowns, and four receptions for 26 yards). Smith received the [[Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award|Super Bowl MVP]] award for Super Bowl XXVIII, becoming the only Cowboys running back ever to win the award.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 12, 2023 |title=Super Bowl MVPs: A Complete List from Super Bowl I to LVII |url=https://athlonsports.com/nfl/super-bowl-mvps-complete-list |access-date=August 9, 2023 |newspaper=Athlonsports.com &#124; Expert Predictions, Picks, and Previews |language=en}}</ref> He also scored two touchdowns in [[Super Bowl XXX]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=George |first=Thomas |date=January 29, 1996 |title=SUPER BOWL XXX: The Cowboy Way Is That Championship Season;Brown Plays Starring Role To Thwart Steelers' Hopes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/29/sports/super-bowl-xxx-cowboy-way-that-championship-season-brown-plays-starring-role.html |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

Smith is one of only five NFL players who have amassed over 10,000 career-rushing yards and 400 career receptions. Smith and Jerry Rice are the only two non-kickers in NFL history to score 1,000 points in a career.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhatta |first=Rakshya |date=April 20, 2023 |title=All Time Scoring Leaders and Longest NFL Career – Non-Kickers |url=https://thefootballusa.com/ |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=The Football USA |language=en}}</ref>

===Playing style===
As a runner, Smith was consistently effective, though not dazzling in style. "(Smith) darted, slithered and followed his blockers, and squeezed yard after yard out of plays that didn't have any yards in them. He didn't look especially fast or powerful or blindingly deceptive, yet he couldn't be stopped."<ref name="cnn2" /> Smith was noted for being a very durable back with excellent vision, tremendous leg strength, and great balance, and was known as one of the best second-effort runners ever.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.sportingnews.com/nfl/100/68.html |title=TSN Presents – Football's 100 Greatest Players |publisher=Archive.sportingnews.com |access-date=December 26, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090117144258/http://archive.sportingnews.com/nfl/100/68.html |archive-date=January 17, 2009 }}</ref> Smith was also a reliable receiver and an excellent blocker in pass protection.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kuharsky |first=Paul |date=November 20, 2008 |title=Johnson, Slaton proving capable in pass protection – AFC South |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/2515/johnson-slaton-proving-capable-in-pass-protection |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021134722/https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/2515/johnson-slaton-proving-capable-in-pass-protection |archive-date=October 21, 2021 |access-date=December 26, 2008 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

During his career, he was often compared to [[Detroit Lions]] Hall of Fame running back [[Barry Sanders]], as both men were extremely successful for their respective teams and combined for eight rushing titles during the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Rushing Yards Year-by-Year Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rush_yds_year_by_year.htm |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Some give Smith the edge for his consistent "north-south" style that took full advantage of Dallas' talented [[offensive line]], while some think Sanders' spectacular running style with sudden changes of direction made him a better back.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n29_v221/ai_19625066/pg_1?tag=artBody;col1 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711063255/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n29_v221/ai_19625066/pg_1?tag=artBody;col1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 11, 2012 |title=Running debate: Barry or Emmitt? {{pipe}} Sporting News, The {{pipe}} Find Articles at BNET |publisher=Findarticles.com |access-date=December 26, 2008 |first=Tim |last=Keown |year=1997 }}</ref> Observers agree, though, that both Smith and Sanders were among the best running backs in league history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brandt |first=Gil |title=Gil Brandt's 25 greatest NFL running backs of all time |url=http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap3000000815786/gil-brandt's-25-greatest-nfl-running-backs-of-all-time |access-date=December 3, 2018 |website=NFL.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=List Ranker – Rank Em: NFLs Greatest Running Backs – ESPN |url=http://www.espn.com/sportsnation/rank/_/listId/1775/versionId/1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203104048/http://www.espn.com/sportsnation/rank/_/listId/1775/versionId/1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 3, 2018 |website=ESPN |access-date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=McVey |first=Rob |date=March 1, 2021 |title=25 Greatest Running Backs in NFL History |url=https://athlonsports.com/nfl/25-greatest-running-backs-nfl-history#1 |access-date=August 9, 2023 |newspaper=Athlonsports.com &#124; Expert Predictions, Picks, and Previews |language=en}}</ref>

Although Smith is the only player to tell [[John Madden]] that ''[[Madden NFL]]'' rated his skills too high,<ref name="snider20080806">{{cite news | url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-08-05-madden-game-main_N.htm | title=As John Madden would say, 'Boom!' His NFL game turns 20 | work=USA Today | date=August 6, 2008 | access-date=January 25, 2015 | author=Snider, Mike}}</ref> he was ranked No. 68 on ''[[The Sporting News]]''' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players in 1999,<ref>{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051105085403/http://archive.sportingnews.com/nfl/100/list-complete.html | archive-date=November 5, 2005 | url=http://archive.sportingnews.com/nfl/100/list-complete.html | title=TSN Presents – Football's 100 Greatest Players |work=The Sporting News |date=1999 |access-date=December 26, 2008}}</ref> three years before becoming the game's all-time rushing yards leader.

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="2"| Legend
|-
| style="background:#ffff00; width:3em;"|
| AP [[NFL MVP]]
|-
| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|
| Won the [[Super Bowl]]
|-
| style="background:#e0cef2; width:3em;"|
| NFL record
|-
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league
|-
| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}

===Regular season===
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="7"| Rushing
! colspan="7"| Receiving
! colspan="2"| Fumbles
|-
! GP !! GS !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! A/G !! Y/G !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! R/G !! Y/G !! Fum !! Lost
|-
! [[1990 NFL season|1990]] || [[1990 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 16 || 15 || 241 || 937 || 3.9 || 48 || 11 || 15.1 || 58.6 || 24 || 228 || '''9.5''' || 57 || 0 || 1.5 || 14.3 || 7 || 0
|-
! [[1991 NFL season|1991]] || [[1991 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 16 || 16 || style="background:#cfecec"| 365 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 1,563 || 4.3 || '''75''' || 12 || 22.8 || 97.7 || 49 || 258 || 5.3 || 14 || 1 || 3.1 || 16.1 || '''8''' || 0
|-
! [[1992 NFL season|1992]] || style="background:#afe6ba;"|[[1992 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 16 || 16 || 373 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 1,713 || 4.6 || 68 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 18 || 23.3 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 107.1 || 59 || 335 || 5.7 || 26 || 1 || 3.7 || 20.9 || 4 || 2
|-
! style="background:#ffff00;"|[[1993 NFL season|1993]] || style="background:#afe6ba;"|[[1993 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 14 || 13 || 283 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 1,486 || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''5.3''' || 62 || 9 || 20.2 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 106.1 || 57 || '''414''' || 7.3 || '''86''' || 1 || '''4.1''' || '''29.6''' || 4 || 1
|-
! [[1994 NFL season|1994]] || [[1994 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 15 || 15 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 368 || 1,484 || 4.0 || 46 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 21 || '''24.5''' || 98.9 || 50 || 341 || 6.8 || 68 || 1 || 3.3 || 22.7 || 1 || 0
|-
! [[1995 NFL season|1995]] || style="background:#afe6ba;"|[[1995 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 16 || 16 || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''377''' || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''1,773''' || 4.7 || 60 || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''25''' || 23.6 || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''110.8''' || '''62''' || 375 || 6.0 || 40 || 0 || 3.9 || 23.4 || 7 || '''6'''
|-
! [[1996 NFL season|1996]] || [[1996 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 15 || 15 || 327 || 1,204 || 3.7 || 42 || 12 || 21.8 || 80.3 || 47 || 249 || 5.3 || 21 || '''3''' || 3.1 || 16.6 || 5 || 2
|-
! [[1997 NFL season|1997]] || [[1997 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 16 || 16 || 261 || 1,074 || 4.1 || 44 || 4 || 16.3 || 67.1 || 40 || 234 || 5.9 || 24 || 0 || 2.5 || 14.6 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[1998 NFL season|1998]] || [[1998 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 16 || 16 || 319 || 1,332 || 4.2 || 32 || 13 || 19.9 || 83.3 || 27 || 175 || 6.5 || 24 || 2 || 1.7 || 10.9 || 3 || 2
|-
! [[1999 NFL season|1999]] || [[1999 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 15 || 15 || 329 || 1,397 || 4.2 || 63 || 11 || 21.9 || 93.1 || 27 || 119 || 4.4 || 14 || 2 || 1.8 || 7.9 || 5 || 3
|-
! [[2000 NFL season|2000]] || [[2000 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 16 || 16 || 294 || 1,203 || 4.1 || 52 || 9 || 18.4 || 75.2 || 11 || 79 || 7.2 || 19 || 0 || 0.7 || 4.9 || 6 || 5
|-
! [[2001 NFL season|2001]] || [[2001 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 14 || 14 || 261 || 1,021 || 3.9 || 44 || 3 || 18.6 || 72.9 || 17 || 116 || 6.8 || 22 || 0 || 1.2 || 8.3 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[2002 NFL season|2002]] || [[2002 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 16 || 16 || 254 || 975 || 3.8 || 30 || 5 || 15.9 || 60.9 || 16 || 89 || 5.6 || 17 || 0 || 1.0 || 5.6 || 3 || 1
|-
! [[2003 NFL season|2003]] || [[2003 Arizona Cardinals season|ARI]]
| 10 || 5 || 90 || 256 || 2.8 || 22 || 2 || 9.0 || 25.6 || 14 || 107 || 7.6 || 36 || 0 || 1.4 || 10.7 || 2 || 0
|-
! [[2004 NFL season|2004]] || [[2004 Arizona Cardinals season|ARI]]
| 15 || 15 || 267 || 937 || 3.5 || 29 || 9 || 17.8 || 62.5 || 15 || 105 || 7.0 || 18 || 0 || 1.0 || 7.0 || 4 || 1
|-
! colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitEm00.htm Career] || 226 || 219 || style="background:#e0cef2;"| 4,409 || style="background:#e0cef2;"| 18,355 || 4.2 || 75 || style="background:#e0cef2;"| 164 || 19.5 || 81.2 || 515 || 3,224 || 6.3 || 86 || 11 || 2.3 || 14.3 || 61 || 25
|}

==Life after football==
In 2002, Smith and his wife founded the Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-Organization/SmithCharities/about/|title=Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=December 12, 2019}}</ref> as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission to "seek a reality where children have the resources necessary to realize their full potential."

In September 2005, Smith went on to become as a studio analyst on the [[NFL Network]] show, ''[[NFL Total Access]]''.

On September 19, 2005, at halftime of the Cowboys-Redskins game (broadcast on ''[[Monday Night Football]]''), Smith was inducted into the [[Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor]] with his long-time teammates Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin.

On July 23, 2006, Smith was a judge at the [[Miss Universe 2006]] pageant.

In the fall of 2006, Smith won the [[Dancing with the Stars (American season 3)|third season]] of ''[[Dancing with the Stars (American TV series)|Dancing with the Stars]]'' with professional dancer [[Cheryl Burke]]. Smith was praised for "making dancing look manly" and for his "natural charm," and Burke was given credit for coaching Smith while still allowing him to improvise some moves.

On March 12, 2007, Smith joined [[ESPN]] as a studio analyst for their [[Sunday NFL Countdown|NFL pre-game coverage]] alongside [[Chris Berman]], [[Mike Ditka]], [[Tom Jackson (American football, born 1951)|Tom Jackson]], and [[Chris Mortensen]]. However, he was removed from this coverage for the [[2008 NFL season|2008 season]]. Instead, he appeared Sunday mornings during the NFL season on ''[[SportsCenter]]''. He also appeared with [[Steve Young]] and [[Stuart Scott]] at the Monday Night Football site each week on [[Monday Night Countdown]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2795627 |title=Ex-Cowboys great Smith joins ESPN as NFL analyst |publisher=ESPN |date=March 12, 2007 |access-date=October 19, 2021}}</ref> His contract was not renewed for the [[2009 NFL season|2009 season]].

Smith was criticized by some in the media and sports blogs as being inarticulate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/bengals/2007/10/23/ddn102407arch.html |title=Bengals have issues; Chad's not one of 'em |work=Dayton Daily News website|date=October 23, 2007 |access-date=November 28, 2008}}</ref> ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'' created a video called "Emmitt Smith: Wordsmith" mocking his numerous [[malapropism]]s. ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'''s [[Peter King (sportswriter)|Peter King]] called Smith's comments regarding [[Michael Vick]]'s involvement in the [[Bad Newz Kennels]] "idiotic and inappropriate."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/peter_king/07/22/vick/2.html|title=Monday Morning QB|work=sportsillustrated.cnn.com|date=July 23, 2007|access-date=March 11, 2010|archive-date=November 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103104848/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/peter_king/07/22/vick/2.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Smith was elected to the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 2010, in his first year of eligibility.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilner |first=Barry |date=August 8, 2010 |title=Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice give Hall of Fame class star power |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/nfl/2010/08/08/emmitt-smith-jerry-rice-give-hall-fame-class-star-power/15935510007/ |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=The Florida Times-Union |language=en-US}}</ref>

On February 7, 2010, Smith flipped the coin at the start of [[Super Bowl XLIV]] between the [[Indianapolis Colts]] and [[New Orleans Saints]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XLIV Indianapolis Colts vs. New Orleans Saints in Miami |url=https://www.upi.com/News_Photos/view/upi/451f7a8f22ae2643bd15813e7502d27f/Super-Bowl-XLIV-Indianapolis-Colts-vs-New-Orleans-Saints-in-Miami/ |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref>

In June 2010, Smith returned to his high school alma mater, [[Escambia High School]] (EHS) in [[Pensacola, Florida]], for a taping of [[ESPN]]'s show [[Homecoming with Rick Reilly]]. That October, he was inducted into the EHS Sports Hall of Fame during halftime of an EHS football game, along with baseball player [[Jim Presley]] and other school alumni.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vilona |first=Bill |date=2010-10-08 |title=Escambia honors its greats |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/pensacola-news-journal-escambia-honors-i/184810770/ |access-date=2025-11-12 |work=Pensacola News Journal |page=1D}}</ref>

In 2005, Smith made his first move toward becoming a real estate developer: He teamed with another Cowboy legend, [[Roger Staubach]], the founder and CEO of Staubach Co., to form Smith/Cypress Partners LP, a real estate development enterprise specializing in transforming underutilized parcels in densely populated areas into commercially viable properties anchored by national retail giants.<ref name="cjhughesnyt">[https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/21/realestate/commercial/21sports.html?ref=sports Hughes, C. J. "After Sports Careers, Vying in the Real Estate Arena," "The New York Times", Wednesday, July 21, 2010]. Nytimes.com (July 20, 2010). Retrieved on October 30, 2011.</ref>

In his first deal, Smith helped the firm sign [[Mervyn's]], a California-based department store chain, to anchor a $45 million, {{convert|230000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} project in Phoenix.

With access to $50 million in capital, Smith has several other projects in the works. He has a letter of intent to develop a {{convert|65|acre|m2|adj=on}} site in a densely populated yet underserved area near northwest Fort Worth (it was formerly a college operated by a Masonic lodge), and he is currently negotiating for rights to another potential project in southeastern Fort Worth.{{When|date=June 2016}}

On one of the sites, Smith plans to build a complex with as much as {{convert|600000|sqft|m2}} of retail space, more than double the size of the Phoenix property. "There's a huge need for top-quality retail in these areas, and I understand how the deals are cut," Smith said before lunch. "I'm not an engineer. I'm not a contractor. And I'm still learning the jargon. But I understand deals, and the only way to grow is to be in the middle of the deals."{{When|date=June 2016}}{{citation needed|reason=This is written in present tense, but how old is it? And it obviously quotes something like an interview ("Smith said before lunch"). Give the source.|date=June 2016}}

Smith/Cypress is a joint venture (Smith owns 51 percent) with Cypress Equities, the retail development arm of Roger Staubach's real estate services company. Early in his own playing career, Smith approached the former Cowboy quarterback with an interest in learning more about real estate. Skeptical at first, Staubach told Smith to spend some time at his company's offices during the spring and summer if he was sincere. Smith did just that, spending the off-season at Staubach Co.'s headquarters in Dallas. Staubach founded the company in the late 1970s to locate and negotiate office and retail space for clients. In 2006, the privately held firm had transactions totaling $26 billion and {{convert|835|e6sqft|m2}} of space.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/02/05/8399156/index.htm | work=CNN | title=Emmitt Smith: Cowboy, dancer, real estate tycoon | date=January 22, 2007 | access-date=May 2, 2010 | first=Roy S. | last=Johnson}}</ref>

In 2014, Smith's company began a nationwide expansion, including into New York City.<ref>{{cite news|last=Levitt|first=David M.|title=Emmitt Smith to tackle N.Y. real estate market|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/07/10/5962728/emmitt-smith-to-tackle-ny-real.html|newspaper=Star Telegram|access-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref>

Smith also co-founded ESmith Legacy, a [[Baltimore]]-based company that specializes in [[commercial property|commercial]] [[real estate development]] and [[investment management]].<ref name="cjhughesnyt" /> He serves as its [[Chairman]] of the [[Board of directors|Board]] and [[chief executive officer]] (CEO).<ref name="esmithlegacy">{{cite web| title= Leadership|url= http://www.esmithlegacy.com/ |website=ESmith Legacy |access-date=June 26, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160401230812/http://www.esmithlegacy.com/ |archive-date=April 1, 2016 |quote=Emmitt J. Smith, Chairman & CEO}}</ref>

In 2007, he was a guest on ''[[Monday Night Football (How I Met Your Mother)|How I Met Your Mother]]'', where he joked about the Super Bowl on this question asked by [[Barney Stinson]] "What is more important than the Super Bowl? – Dance, my friend, dance".

Smith participated in the 2011 [[National Heads-Up Poker Championship]], defeating [[David Williams (card player)|David Williams]] in the first round and losing in the second round to [[Andrew Robl]].

He returned to ''Dancing with the Stars'' in its [[Dancing with the Stars (American season 15)|fifteenth season]] as one of the "All-Stars" contestants.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2012/07/27/dancing-with-the-stars-and-the-all-stars-are/|title=Dancing with the Stars reveals all-star cast|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=July 27, 2012}}</ref> Smith once again had [[Cheryl Burke]] as his professional dance partner.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2012/08/13/dancing-with-the-stars-all-stars-pairs/|title='Dancing With the Stars: All-Stars' pairs announced!|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=August 13, 2012}}</ref> They were voted off during the ninth week of the competition.

In 2016, Smith took the position of co-owner alongside founder and president Ben Davis of [[The Gents Place]], an ultra-premium men's grooming and lifestyle club founded in Frisco, Texas.<ref>{{cite book | last =Sandlin | first =Eileen Figure | title =Startup – Start Your Own Hair Salon and Day Spa | publisher =Entrepreneur Press | year =2010 | page =9 | isbn =978-1599183466 }}<!-- copied from ref in "The Gents Place" --></ref> The company has grown to include lifestyle clubs in Dallas and Southlake, as well as Leawood, Kansas.<ref>{{cite press release|last1=Tabacnic| first1=Rachel|title=Ultra-premium Men's Grooming & Lifestyle Club, The Gents Place, Launches National Franchise Program|url= http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ultra-premium-mens-grooming--lifestyle-club-the-gents-place-launches-national-franchise-program-300283113.html?tc=eml_cleartime| website=PR Newswire|access-date=June 13, 2016}}</ref>

In 2019, Smith appeared on an episode of ''[[Deal or No Deal (American game show)|Deal or No Deal]]'' to support a contestant who idolizes him.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1096538896593121280|title=Pro Football Hall of Famer @emmittsmith22 joins us on Wednesday's all new #DealOrNoDeal. 🏈💼 Don't miss it- 9p ET/PT on CNBC!|author=Deal or No Deal|user=DealorNoDealCNBC|date=February 15, 2019}}</ref>

In 2021, Smith teamed up with [[NASCAR]] driver [[Jesse Iwuji]] to form a [[NASCAR Xfinity Series]] team called Jesse Iwuji Motorsports that will compete full-time in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2021/08/21/jesse-iwuji-partners-with-nfl-hall-of-famer-emmitt-smith-to-form-full-time-xfinity-series-team-for-2022/|title=Jesse Iwuji partners with NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith to form full-time Xfinity Series team for 2022|last=Wilhelm|first=Chase|website=Official Site of NASCAR|date=August 21, 2021|access-date=January 19, 2022}}</ref>

==Personal life==

Smith was initiated as a member of the [[Phi Beta Sigma]] [[Fraternities and sororities|fraternity]] at the University of Florida. He returned to the university during the NFL offseason to complete his coursework, and graduated with his [[bachelor's degree]] in public recreation in 1996.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Kelley D. |title=Emmitt Smith's next chapter is as big as his record-breaking football career |url=https://andscape.com/features/emmitt-smith-former-nfl-running-back-next-chapter/ |website=[[Andscape]] |access-date=6 June 2024 |date=28 March 2018}}</ref>

Smith is a devout Christian.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.christianspeakers360.com/speaker/emmitt-smith.php|title=Emmitt Smith Speaker & Agent Info: Christian Speakers 360|website=www.christianspeakers360.com|access-date=February 6, 2020}}</ref> He has a daughter, Rheagen Smith (born November 2, 1998), with ex-girlfriend Hope Wilson.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pulse of the CITY|url=http://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2000/june/pulse-of-the-city/|website=D Magazine|date=June 2000 |publisher=D Magazine Partners, Inc.|access-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref> He married former [[Miss Virginia USA]] [[Patricia Southall]] on April 22, 2000. They have three children together: Emmitt James Smith IV (born May 15, 2002), Skylar Smith (born October 15, 2003), and Elijah Alexander James Smith (born September 22, 2010).<ref name="espn1" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Prejean|first=Jeanne|title=Pat and Emmitt Smith Welcome Elijah Alexander James Smith|url=http://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2010/09/pat-and-emmitt-smith-welcome-elijah-alexander-james-smith/|website=DMagazine.com|date=September 23, 2010 |access-date=December 23, 2016}}</ref> Smith is also the stepfather of Jasmine Page Lawrence (born January 15, 1996), who is Southall's daughter with ex-husband, actor-comedian [[Martin Lawrence]].<ref>[http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/emmitt-smith/bio/215160 TVguide.com]. TVguide.com (May 15, 1969). Retrieved on October 30, 2011.</ref>

His brother, [[Emory Smith|Emory]], played on the practice squads of the Cowboys and the [[Green Bay Packers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.claymores.co.uk/team/players/1999/smith22.php |title=#22 Emory Smith Full Back |access-date=November 1, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716114828/http://www.claymores.co.uk/team/players/1999/smith22.php |archive-date=July 16, 2011 }}. Claymores.co.uk</ref> Smith's eldest son, [[E. J. Smith (American football)|E. J.]], plays college football at [[Texas A&M Aggies football|Texas A&M]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bromberg |first=Nick |date=December 18, 2019 |title=4-star athlete E.J. Smith, son of NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, commits to Stanford |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/4-star-athlete-ej-smith-son-of-nfl-hall-of-famer-emmitt-smith-commits-to-stanford-171029659.html |access-date=December 18, 2019 |website=Yahoo! Sports |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==

{{Portal|American football|Biography|College football}}
* ''[[Emmitt Smith Football]]'', a 1995 video game
* [[1989 College Football All-America Team]]
* [[Florida Gators football, 1980–89]]
* [[List of College Football Hall of Fame inductees (players, A–K)]]
* [[List of College Football Hall of Fame inductees (players, L–Z)]]
* [[List of Dallas Cowboys first-round draft picks]]
* [[List of Dallas Cowboys players]]
* [[List of Florida Gators football All-Americans]]
* [[List of Florida Gators in the NFL draft]]
* [[List of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
* [[List of National Football League career rushing yards leaders|List of National Football League rushing yards leaders]]
* [[List of National Football League rushing champions]]
* [[List of Southeastern Conference football individual awards#Most Valuable Player|List of SEC Most Valuable Players]]
* [[List of University of Florida alumni]]
* [[List of University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame members]]

==References==

{{Notelist-ua}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==

{{Commons category|Emmitt Smith}}
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Footballstats |nfl=Emmitt-Smith
|espn=72 |cbs= |yahoo=821 |pfr=S/SmitEm00}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070518212420/http://www.emmittsmith.com/ Official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160401230812/http://www.esmithlegacy.com/ ESmith Legacy, Inc. – Official Website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160211200623/http://www.dallascowboys.com/ring-of-honor/emmitt-smith Emmitt Smith Cowboys Ring of Honor]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160413224322/https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2009/07/24/cowboys-top-50-players-1-5 Dallas Cowboys Top 50 players]
* {{cite web |title=Emmitt Smith Career Highlights |work=NFL.com |via=[[YouTube]] |date=March 9, 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5_4UBPwpzY&list=PLRdw3IjKY2gmBTpTbGp9NjkIzC6IXWx-b&index=41  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/M5_4UBPwpzY| archive-date=December 11, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}
* {{IMDb name|0808140|Emmitt Smith}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Emmitt}}
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:African-American Christians]]
[[Category:All-American college football players]]
[[Category:American football running backs]]
[[Category:American philanthropists]]
[[Category:Arizona Cardinals players]]
[[Category:College football announcers]]
[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Dallas Cowboys players]]
[[Category:Dancing with the Stars (American TV series) winners]]
[[Category:ESPN people]]
[[Category:Florida Gators football players]]
[[Category:National Conference Pro Bowl players]]
[[Category:NFL announcers]]
[[Category:NFL Most Valuable Player winners]]
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[[Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
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