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* [[Dallas Cowboys]] ({{NFL Year|1990}}–{{NFL Year|2003}})
* [[Dallas Cowboys]] ({{NFL Year|1990}}–{{NFL Year|2003}})
* [[Arizona Cardinals]] ({{NFL Year|2003}}–{{NFL Year|2004}})
* [[Arizona Cardinals]] ({{NFL Year|2003}}–{{NFL Year|2004}})
* [[Dallas Cowboys]] {{NFL Year|2004}})
* [[Dallas Cowboys]] ({{NFL Year|2004}})
|highlights = <nowiki></nowiki>
|highlights = <nowiki></nowiki>
* Rated #28 NFL player of all-time by [[The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players|NFL.com]]
* Rated #28 NFL player of all-time by [[The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players|NFL.com]]

Revision as of 02:41, 19 September 2011

Emmitt Smith
refer to caption
Smith at a 2007 speech.
No. 22
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1969-05-15) May 15, 1969 (age 55)
Pensacola, Florida
Career information
College:Florida
NFL draft:1990 / round: 1 / pick: 17
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2004
Rushing yards:18,355
Average:4.2
Rushing TDs:164
Total TDs:175
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Pro Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame

Emmitt James Smith, III (born May 15, 1969) is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for fifteen seasons during the 1990s and 2000s. Smith played college football for the University of Florida, where he was an All-American; thereafter, he played professionally for the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals of the NFL. During his long professional career, he became the NFL's all-time rushing leader, breaking the record formerly held by his childhood hero, Walter Payton, and played for the three Super Bowl-winning Dallas Cowboys teams. 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 only 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, the only other running back to do this was Terrell Davis (1998). Smith is also one of only two non-kickers in NFL history to score more than 1000 career points. (The other one is Jerry Rice.) Smith was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010, and is the first player from the 1990 NFL Draft to be inducted.

While playing for the Dallas Cowboys, Smith, quarterback Troy Aikman, and wide receiver Michael Irvin were known as "The Triplets," and led their team to three Super Bowl championships during the 1990s.[1]

Early years

Smith was born in Pensacola, Florida, the son of Mary Clements Smith and Emmitt James Smith, II.[2][3] He attended Escambia High School in Pensacola, where he played high school football for the Escambia Gators. During his football career there, Escambia won the state football championship, 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.[4] Twice, he broke the 2,000-yard rushing mark in a season.[5]

For his efforts, Smith was named the USA Today and Parade magazine high school player of the year for 1986.[6] In 2007, twenty years after Smith graduated from high school, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) named Smith to its "All-Century Team," recognizing him as one of the thirty-three greatest Florida high school football players of the last 100 years.[7] As part of its "100 Years of Florida High School Football" awards ceremony, FHSAA named Smith as its "Player of the Century."[8]

Despite his accomplishments and accolades, some college recruiting experts opined that he was too small and too slow to succeed in major college football when he signed to play at the University of Florida.[9] Recruiting expert Max Emfinger said of Smith, "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."[10]

College career

Smith received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Galen Hall's Florida Gators football team for three seasons from 1987 to 1989.[11] 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 in which he gained 109 yards on just ten carries, including a 66-yard touchdown run.[12] That performance earned him his first collegiate start in the next contest: the SEC opener against Alabama in Birmingham.

In his first full game, Smith promptly broke Florida's 40-year old all-time single game rushing record, carrying 39 times for 224 yards and two touchdowns as the Gators upset the Crimson Tide.[4] 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.[4] He finished the 1987 season with 1,341 yards and was named Southeastern Conference and National Freshman of the Year.[11] He also finished 9th in that year's Heisman voting.[13]

Smith started the 1988 season strong until injuring his knee against Memphis State. The Gators, who had reeled off a 5-0 record with Smith in the backfield, lost the game in which he was injured and then the next three as well while Smith was unable to play. Upon returning, he almost reached 1,000 yards on the season, finishing with 988.[11]

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 New Mexico in October 1989), longest rushing play (96 yards against Mississippi State in 1988), career rushing yards (3,928), and career rushing touchdowns (36), among many others. In all, Smith owned 58 school records at the conclusion of his Florida career[11][14] despite playing on Florida teams with virtually no passing game,[15] making him the focal point of opposing defenses.

At the conclusion of his junior season in 1989, Smith was named a first-team SEC selection for the third year and SEC Player of the Year, was a unanimous first-team All-American,[11][16] place in Spurrier's reportedly pass-first offense, decided to forgo his senior year at Florida and enter the NFL draft[6] (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).[11]

He returned to the university during the NFL off-season and completed his bachelor's degree in 1996. Smith was subsequently inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a "Gator Great" in 1999,[17][18] the Gator Football Ring of Honor and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.[19]

Professional career

Despite his collegiate success, some NFL teams still felt that Smith was too small and slow for the pro game.[20] He fell to the 17th pick in the first round, when he was picked by the Dallas Cowboys, who had traded up to draft him.

Smith was the first player in NFL history to have five consecutive seasons with over 1,400 rushing yards. Smith, Jim Brown, and LaDainian Tomlinson are the only players with seven straight 10-touchdown seasons to start their careers. With 1,021 rushing yards in 2001, Smith became the first player in NFL history with 11 consecutive 1,000 yard seasons and the first to post 11 1,000-yard rushing seasons in a career. He is the NFL's all-time leader in rushing attempts with 4,409.

Fan banner honoring the NFL's all-time leading rusher banner at Texas Stadium.

Smith currently holds the NFL record in career rushing yards with 18,355, breaking the previous record held by Walter Payton, on October 27 of the 2002 NFL season. He leads all running backs with 164 career rushing touchdowns, and his 175 total touchdowns ranks him second only to Jerry Rice's 208. The sum of his rushing yards, receiving yards (3,224) and fumble return yards (-15) give 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.

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, along with 6 receptions for 27 yards), and Super Bowl XXVIII (132 yards and two touchdowns, along with 4 receptions for 26 yards). Smith received the Super Bowl MVP award for Super Bowl XXVIII, becoming the only Cowboys running back ever to win the award out of all their Super Bowl wins.

In his last season, Smith 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. It was the only passing attempt of his career.

Smith is one of only five NFL players who have amassed over 10,000 career-rushing yards and 400 career receptions. Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice are the only two non-kickers to score 1000 points in a career.

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."[12] 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.[21] Smith was also a reliable receiver and an excellent blocker in pass protection.[22]

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 8 rushing titles during the 1990s. 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.[23] Observers agree, though, that both Smith and Sanders were among the greatest men to ever play the game.[24]

In 1999, while he was still playing and three years before becoming the game's all-time rushing yardage leader, Smith was ranked number 68 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.[25]

Retirement

Three days before Super Bowl XXXIX in February 2005, Smith announced his retirement from the NFL. He was released by the Arizona Cardinals and signed a one day contract for no money with the Dallas Cowboys – after which he immediately retired as a Cowboy, the team he played for from 1990 to 2002.[26]

After football

In September 2005, Smith signed on to serve 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 longtime 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 third season of 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 NFL pregame coverage alongside Chris Berman, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, and Chris Mortensen. However, he was removed from this coverage for the 2008 season. Instead, he appears Sunday mornings during the NFL season on SportsCenter. He performs with Steve Young and Stuart Scott at the Monday Night Football site each week on Monday Night Countdown.[27] His contract was not renewed for the 2009 season.

Smith was criticized by some in the media and sports blogs as being inarticulate.[28] Jimmy Kimmel Live created a video called "Emmitt Smith: Wordsmith" mocking his numerous malapropisms. Sports Illustrated′s Peter King called Smith's comments regarding Michael Vick's involvement in the Bad Newz Kennels "idiotic and inappropriate."[29]

Smith was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010, in his first year of eligibility.

On February 7, 2010, Smith flipped the coin at the start of Super Bowl XLIV between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints.

On June 3, 2010 Smith returned to high school alma-mater Escambia High School in Pensacola, Florida for a taping of ESPN's show Homecoming with Rick Reilly. On October 8th, 2010 he was inducted into the Escambia High School Sports Hall of Fame during halftime of an EHS football game along with former Seattle Mariners third baseman Jim Presley, and a few other EHS alumni.

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.[30]

In his first deal, Smith helped the firm sign Mervyn's, a California-based department store chain, to anchor a $45 million, 230,000-square-foot (21,000 m2) project in Phoenix, where he had played for the Cardinals two seasons prior.

With access to $50 million in capital, Smith has several other projects in the works. He has a letter of intent to develop a 65-acre (260,000 m2) site in a densely populated yet underserved area near northwest Fort Worth (it was formerly a college operated by a Masonic lodge), and he's haggling over another potential project in southeast Fort Worth.

On one of the sites, Smith plans to build a complex with as much as 600,000 square feet (56,000 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."

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 almost 30 years ago to locate and negotiate office and retail space for clients. Last year the privately held firm had transactions totaling $26 billion and 835,000,000 square feet (77,600,000 m2) of space.[31]

Smith also co-founded ESmith Legacy, a Baltimore-based company that specializes in commercial real estate development and investment management.[30] He serves as its Co-Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.[32]

Smith participated in the 2011 National Heads-Up Poker Championship, defeating David Williams in the first round and losing in the second round to Andrew Robl.

Personal

Smith was initiated as a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity at the University of Florida. He returned to the university during the NFL off-season to complete his coursework, and graduated with his bachelor's degree in public recreation in May 1996.[33]

Smith married former Miss Virginia USA beauty queen Patricia Southall on April 22, 2000. They have a son, Emmitt IV, who was born on Smith's 33rd birthday, May 15, 2002, and a daughter, Skylar, born in October 2003.[34] Smith also has a daughter (Rheagen Smith) by ex-girlfriend Hope Wilson and a stepdaughter (Jasmin Page Lawrence), Southall's daughter from her previous marriage to comedian Martin Lawrence.[35]

His brother, Emory, played on the practice squads of the Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers.[36]

See also

References

  1. ^ Aikman, Emmitt, Irvin Heading Into Ring Of Honor
  2. ^ Bbcwhodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com
  3. ^ "2". Who Do You Think You Are?. Season 1. Episode 2. 2010-03-12. NBC. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |episodelink= (help); Text "Who Do You Think You Are?" ignored (help)
  4. ^ a b c Zimmerman, Paul (1991-10-21). "As he was in high school and college, Emmitt Smith". Vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  5. ^ "Emmit Smith Career Biography and Statistics". Allsports.com. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  6. ^ a b "ESPN Classic - Emmitt gives new meaning to Sweetness". Espn.go.com. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  7. ^ "FHSAA announces 33-member All-Century football team," Florida High School Athletic Association (December 12, 2007). Retrieved May 26, 2011.
  8. ^ "Smith, Castle honored respectively as Player, Coach of the Century," Florida High School Athletic Association (December 14, 2007). Retrieved May 26, 2011.
  9. ^ "Hall of Fame welcomes Emmitt Smith". The Gainesville Sun website. 2006-05-17. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  10. ^ "Emmitt Smith is why you never trust recruiting 'experts'". The Orlando Sentinel. 2010-08-06. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
  11. ^ a b c d e f 2011 Florida Gators Football Media Guide, 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.
  12. ^ a b Telander, Rick (1987-11-16). "Hopes were high for Florida's Emmitt Smith and Ohio - 11.16.87 - SI Vault". Vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Retrieved 2008-12-26.
  13. ^ "Former Gator Great Emmitt Smith Enshrined Into College Football Hall of Fame". Gatorzone.com. 2007-07-21. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  14. ^ "Career Highlights". Emmitt Smith Official website. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  15. ^ Markus, Don (1989-11-19). "Heisman Race: What Should Count Most?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
  16. ^ 2010 Division I Football Records Book, Award Winners and All-Americans, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, p. 9 (2010). Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  17. ^ F Club, Hall of Fame, Gator Greats. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  18. ^ Dwight Collins, "UF inductees bask in glory," Ocala Star-Banner, p. 7D (September 11, 1999). Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  19. ^ College Football Hall of Fame, Hall of Famers, Emmitt Smith. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
  20. ^ "Emmitt Smith Scrapbook: Timeline". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. 2002-08-12. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  21. ^ "TSN Presents - Football's 100 Greatest Players". Archive.sportingnews.com. Retrieved 2008-12-26.
  22. ^ "ESPN - Johnson, Slaton proving capable in pass protection - AFC South". Myespn.go.com. Retrieved 2008-12-26.
  23. ^ Keown, Tim (1997). "Running debate: Barry or Emmitt? | Sporting News, The | Find Articles at BNET". Findarticles.com. Retrieved 2008-12-26.
  24. ^ Pugh, Bobby (2002-11-04). "Emmitt Smith's attitude off the field is just as important". Media.www.pittnews.com. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  25. ^ "TSN Presents - Football's 100 Greatest Players". Archive.sportingnews.com. Retrieved 2008-12-26.
  26. ^ "Emmitt Smith - Biography". Netglimse.com. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  27. ^ "Ex-Cowboys great Smith joins ESPN as NFL analyst". Sports.espn.go.com. 2007-03-12. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  28. ^ "Bengals have issues; Chad's not one of 'em". Dayton Daily News website. 2007-10-23. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  29. ^ "Monday Morning QB". sportsillustrated.cnn.com. 2007-07-23. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
  30. ^ a b Hughes, C. J. "After Sports Careers, Vying in the Real Estate Arena," The New York Times, Wednesday, July 21, 2010.
  31. ^ Johnson, Roy S. (2007-01-22). "Emmitt Smith: Cowboy, dancer, real estate tycoon". CNN. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
  32. ^ Our Founders (profiles) – ESmith Legacy, Inc.
  33. ^ "Emmitt Smith Biography". Sports.jrank.org. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  34. ^ EPSN.go.com
  35. ^ TVguide.com
  36. ^ Claymores.co.uk

Bibliography

  • Carlson, Norm, University of Florida Football Vault: The History of the Florida Gators, Whitman Publishing, LLC, Atlanta, Georgia (2007). ISBN 0794822983.
  • Golenbock, Peter, Go Gators! An Oral History of Florida's Pursuit of Gridiron Glory, Legends Publishing, LLC, St. Petersburg, Florida (2002). ISBN 0-9650782-1-3.
  • Hairston, Jack, Tales from the Gator Swamp: A Collection of the Greatest Gator Stories Ever Told, Sports Publishing, LLC, Champaign, Illinois (2002). ISBN 1-58261-514-4.
  • McCarthy, Kevin M., Fightin' Gators: A History of University of Florida Football, Arcadia Publishing, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina (2000). ISBN 978-0-7385-0559-6.
  • Nash, Noel, ed., The Gainesville Sun Presents The Greatest Moments in Florida Gators Football, Sports Publishing, Inc., Champaign, Illinois (1998). ISBN 1-57167-196x.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Emmitt Smith.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by NFL Career Rushing Yards Leader
2002—present 		Succeeded by
current
Preceded by AP NFL Most Valuable Player
1993 		Succeeded by
Preceded by NFL Super Bowl MVPs
Super Bowl XXVIII, 1993 		Succeeded by
Preceded by AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
1990 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Dancing with the Stars (US) winner
Season 3 (Fall 2006 with Cheryl Burke) 		Succeeded by

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