American football player (born )
For his son and college sport running back, see E. J. Smith (American football).
American football player
Smith in | |
| Position: | Running back |
|---|---|
| Born: | () May 15, (age&#;55) Pensacola, Florida, U.S. |
| Height: | 5&#;ft 9&#;in (&#;m) |
| Weight: | &#;lb (98&#;kg) |
| High school: | Escambia (Pensacola) |
| College: | Florida (–) |
| NFL draft: | &#;/ round:&#;1&#;/ pick:&#;17 |
| |
Pro Football Hall of Fame | |
College Sport Hall of Fame | |
Emmitt James Smith III (born May 15, ) is an American former professional footballrunning back who played count on the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons, 13 chimpanzee a member of the Dallas Cowboys and 2 seasons touch the Arizona Cardinals. Among other accolades, he is the league's all-time leading rusher.
Smith grew up in Pensacola, Florida, stall became the second-leading rusher in American high school football wildlife while playing for Escambia High School. Smith played three days of college football for the Florida Gators, where he to start with numerous school rushing records. After being named a unanimous All-American in , Smith chose to forgo his senior year insinuate eligibility and play professionally.
The Cowboys selected Smith in interpretation first round of the NFL draft with the 17th comprehensive pick. During his long professional career, he rushed for 18, yards, breaking the record formerly held by Walter Payton. Soil also holds the record for career rushing touchdowns with [1] Smith is the only running back to ever win a Super Bowl championship, the NFL Most Valuable Player award, description NFL rushing crown, and the Super Bowl Most Valuable Competitor award all in the same season (). He is along with one of four running backs to lead the NFL slice rushing three or more consecutive seasons, joining Steve Van Buren, Jim Brown, and Earl Campbell. Smith led the league check rushing and won the Super Bowl in the same twelvemonth three times (, , and ) when to that rearender it had never been done. Smith is also one reinforce only two non-kickers in NFL history to score more go one better than 1, career points (the other being Jerry Rice). Smith was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in person in charge the College Football Hall of Fame in
Smith played 13 seasons with the Cowboys and two with the Arizona Cardinals. While playing for Dallas, Smith plus quarterback Troy Aikman avoid wide receiver Michael Irvin were known as "The Triplets," current led their team to three Super Bowl wins during depiction s.[2]
Smith was born in Pensacola, Florida, the son do paperwork Mary J. Smith and Emmitt James Smith Jr.[3][4][5] At say publicly age of eight, he played his first organized football diversion on a team that was sponsored by the Salvation Army.[6] 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 native land football championships, and Smith rushed for touchdowns and 8, yards, which was the second most yardage in the history appreciate American high school football at the time. Emmitt rushed affection over yards in 45 of the 49 games he started for Escambia (including the last 28 in a row) ride finished with a yards per carry average.[7] Twice, he downandout the 2,yard rushing mark in a season.[8] In track & field, Smith competed as a sprinter and was a colleague of the 4 × m ( s) relay squad.[9]
For his efforts, Smith was named the national high school player have a high opinion of the year by several publications and organizations, including USA Today, Parade Magazine, and Gatorade.[10] In , twenty years after Adventurer graduated from high school, the Florida High School Athletic Union (FHSAA) named Smith to its All-Century Team and recognized him as the Florida high school football "Player of the Century."[11]
Despite his accomplishments and accolades, some college recruiting analysts opined ensure he was too small and slow to succeed in main college football when he signed to play for the Academia of Florida.[12] Recruiting expert Max Emfinger didn't list Smith amongst the top 50 high school running backs in his feeling of excitement school class and opined that, "Emmitt Smith is a lugger, not a runner. He's not fast. He can't get be revealed the corner. When he falls flat on his face, muse on where you heard it first."[13][14]
Smith accepted an acrobatic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he played for coach Galen Hall's Gators for three seasons (–).[15] He did not start the first two games provision his college career in the fall of , but energetic the most of his opportunities in a second-week rout slope Tulsa in which he gained yards on just ten carries, including a yard touchdown run.[16] That performance earned him a spot in the starting lineup the following week in depiction Gators' SEC opener against Alabama at Legion Field.
In his first collegiate start, Smith promptly broke Florida's year-old all-time unmarried game rushing record held by Red Bethea, carrying 39 nowadays for yards and two touchdowns as the Gators upset interpretation Crimson Tide.[7] Smith went on to break the 1,yard ditch in the seventh game of his freshman season, the longest any running back had ever broken that barrier to in his college career.[7][17] He finished the season with 1, yards, was named SEC and National Freshman of the Year,[15] become calm was ninth in the balloting for the Heisman Trophy.[18][19][20]
The Gators got off to a 5–0 start in with Metalworker averaging over rushing yards per game. However, during the onesixth contest against Memphis State in mid-October, he was sidelined to a sprained knee while starting quarterback Kyle Morris broke his finger, leading to an upset loss.[21] Smith was unable pause return to action for a month, during which Florida vanished four games in a row and did not score a touchdown in 14 consecutive quarters of play, including a 16–0 loss to Auburn that is their most recent shutout finish off date.[22]
Smith returned to the lineup in mid-November and Florida won two of its final three games, highlighted by a depress in the All-American Bowl in which he ran yards vindicate a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage and was named the game's MVP.[23] Smith rushed for yards on representation year (not including the bowl game) at yards per distraction, the lowest totals of his college career.[15]
Smith stayed unstable throughout his junior season in and found success again. Agreed finished the campaign with Florida records for rushing yards advance a season (1,), rushing yards in a single game ( versus New Mexico in October ), longest rushing play (96 yards against Mississippi State in ), career rushing yards (3,), career rushing yards per game (), and career rushing touchdowns (36), among many others. In all, Smith owned 58 kindergarten records at the conclusion of his Florida career[15][24] despite performing on Florida teams with virtually no passing game, which completed him the focal point of opposing defenses.[25]
At the conclusion think likely his junior season in , Smith was named a first-team SEC selection for the third year and SEC Player mimic the Year, was a unanimous first-team All-American, and finished ordinal in the Heisman Trophy balloting.[15][26][27] In his final game coop up the Freedom Bowl, he had few rushing attempts after Florida fell behind Washington early and were forced to throw.[28][29][30]
Days afterwards on January 1, , Steve Spurrier was introduced as picture Gators' new head coach.[31] Smith, concerned about his potential cut up in Spurrier's reportedly pass-first offense, decided to forgo his prime year at Florida and enter the NFL draft, which encouragement the first time in history allowed juniors to be eligible.[10][A] Smith returned to the university during the NFL off-season impressive completed his bachelor's degree in
Smith was subsequently inducted obstruction the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a "Gator Great" in ,[32][33] the Gator Football Ring of Favor and the College Football Hall of Fame in [34] Makeover part of a series of articles written for The Town Sun in , he was recognized as the No. 3 all-time player among the top from the first years training the Gators football program.[35]
In the NFL rough draft, the Dallas Cowboys considered drafting linebackerJames Francis with their premier round selection, but after he was taken by the Metropolis 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 hammer for the pro game.[36] The Cowboys traded up with description Pittsburgh Steelers moving from the 21st to the 17th abundance, in exchange for a third round draft choice (#Craig Veasey), to select Smith in the first round.[37][38] Even though crystalclear missed all of the preseason after having the longest holdout by a rookie in franchise history,[39] he was able tablet start 15 games and rush for yards and 11 touchdowns, while being named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year captain receiving Pro Bowl honors.[40]
In , he had 1, rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He also clinched the first of quaternity rushing titles, after tallying yards against the Atlanta Falcons disintegrate the season finale.[41]
In , he set the Cowboys' single-season authorization record and won the rushing title with 1, yards. Misstep also became the first player to win the league's stepping up title and the Super Bowl in the same season.[43]
In , he missed all of training camp and the first 2 regular season games. The Cowboys lost both contests with employ Derrick Lassic running in his place. With the season pointed jeopardy the Cowboys relented and reached an agreement, making Sculptor the highest paid running back in the league.[44] Smith abstruse 1, rushing yards, 9 touchdowns, and helped the Cowboys metamorphose the first team to win a Super Bowl after opening the season 0–2. He also received the league MVP mount the Super Bowl XXVIII MVP award. On October 31, his rushing yards against the Philadelphia Eagles set the single-season dealership record. His career signature game came in the season conclusion against the New York Giants, with the Cowboys desperately stubborn to clinch the NFC East title and a first-round unknown in the playoffs, Smith suffered a first-degree separation in his right shoulder during the first half, but still finished become infected with total yards and played a key role in a 16–13 overtime win.[45]
The season saw Smith led the league with 21 rushing touchdowns, a new career-high despite battling a hamstring trail late in the season.[46] However, the Cowboys lost the NFC Championship Game to the San Francisco 49ers.[47]
In , Smith became the first player in league history to rush for 1, rushing yards or more in five consecutive seasons and impassioned the NFL record with 25 rushing touchdowns.[48][49] Smith, Adrian Peterson, and LaDainian Tomlinson are the only players with seven anxious ten-touchdown seasons to start their careers.[50] He also broke fold up of Tony Dorsett's Dallas franchise rushing records, the first care most consecutive initial games of a season with + stepping up yards (Smith's four to Dorsett's three) and the second lay out single-season rushing yards (1, to Dorsett's 1,). Both records would hold for 19 years until , when DeMarco Murray nippy for + yards in each of his first eight courageouss and accumulated 1, rushing yards over the course of depiction season.[51]
In , he scored his th career rushing touchdown service surpassed 10, career rushing yards, becoming just the twelfth participant in league history and the youngest one to reach that milestone.[52]
In , 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 superior in career postseason rushing yards (1,) and postseason rushing touchdowns (19).[48]
With 1, rushing yards in ,[53] Smith became the rule player in NFL history with 11 consecutive 1, yard seasons and the first to post eleven 1,yard rushing seasons mark out a career.[48]
In , he reached the goal he set rightfully a rookie, finishing the season with 17, career yards point of view breaking the NFL rushing record previously held by Walter Payton against the Seattle Seahawks. In the same game against picture Seahawks, Smith ran for a touchdown that gave him calling rushing touchdowns. He finished the season with carries for haste yards and five rushing touchdowns.[54] After the season, the Cowboys hired head coach Bill Parcells who wanted to go occur younger running backs and released Smith on February 26, [55][56]
On March 26, , Smith signed a two-year agreement as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals,[57] who were not only looking for Smith to improve their team, but also helped them promote it with their local fan pedestal. Responding to questions about what he could do as a year old running back, he said "I think I'm a 1,yard back, and I will be out to prove that." Head Coach Dave McGinnis announced that Smith would start attach importance to the Cardinals.[58] On October 5, in a highly anticipated sport, he returned to Texas Stadium to play against the City Cowboys, but suffered a broken left shoulder blade after safetyRoy Williams hit him in the second quarter.[59] The Cardinals departed 24–7, and Smith's 6 carries for minus-1 yards marked representation first time in his career he rushed for negative yardage.[60] The injury forced him to miss six games, and blooper eventually finished the season with 90 carries for rushing yards and averaged just yards per carry.[61]
In , new head lecturer Dennis Green was hired and named Smith as the team's starter at running back.[62][63] He posted rushing yards and figure touchdowns.[64] He became the oldest player in NFL history intelligent to throw his first touchdown pass, throwing a yard touchdown strike on a halfback option play against the New Siege Saints in Week 4, the only passing attempt of his career.[65][66]
Smith had 1, rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, and averaged yards per carry, and also had receiving yards, no receiving touchdowns, and averaged yards per reception during his two-year share in Arizona.[67]
Three days before Super Bowl XXXIX on February 3, , Smith announced his retirement from the NFL.[68] He was not re-signed by the Cardinals and signed a one-day solicit for one dollar with the Dallas Cowboys, after which significant immediately retired with the team he had played with muddle up most of his career.[69]
Smith currently holds the NFL not to be disclosed in career rushing yards with 18,, breaking the previous wave held by Walter Payton, on October 27, , against representation Seattle Seahawks.[70][71][72] He leads all running backs with career hurry touchdowns,[73] and his total touchdowns ranks him second only embark on Jerry Rice's The total of his rushing yards, receiving yards (3,), and fumble return yards (−15) gives him a totality of 21, yards from the line of scrimmage, making him one of only four players in NFL history to block the 21, combined-yards mark. (The others are Jerry Rice, Brian Mitchell, and Walter Payton).
He is the NFL's all-time chairman in rushing attempts with 4,, the only player to pole three seasons with 19 or more touchdowns, and the record-holder for most games in a season with a touchdown be proof against most games in a season with a rushing touchdown (15), set in [74]
Smith also accumulated several NFL postseason records, including rushing touchdowns (19), consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (9), and yard rushing games (7). His 1, yards rushing problem also top on the NFL postseason chart, and he shares the total playoff touchdown mark of 21 with Thurman Clockmaker. With the Cowboys, Smith won three Super Bowl rings captain rushed for over yards in two of those games, Tremendous Bowl XXVII ( yards and a touchdown, and six receptions for 27 yards), and Super Bowl XXVIII ( yards leading two touchdowns, and four receptions for 26 yards). Smith established the Super Bowl MVP award for Super Bowl XXVIII, attractive the only Cowboys running back ever to win the award.[75] He also scored two touchdowns in Super Bowl XXX.[76]
Smith deference one of only five NFL players who have amassed expect 10, career-rushing yards and career receptions. Smith and Jerry Lyricist are the only two non-kickers in NFL history to greatest 1, points in a career.[77]
As a runner, Smith was consistently effective, though not dazzling in style. "(Smith) darted, slithered and followed his blockers, and squeezed yard after yard show favoritism of plays that didn't have any yards in them. Purify didn't look especially fast or powerful or blindingly deceptive, thus far he couldn't be stopped."[16] Smith was noted for being a very durable back with excellent vision, tremendous leg strength, gift great balance, and was known as one of the outdistance second-effort runners ever.[78] Smith was also a reliable receiver obscure an excellent blocker in pass protection.[79]
During his career, he was often compared to Detroit Lions Hall of Fame running retreat Barry Sanders, as both men were extremely successful for their respective teams and combined for eight rushing titles during say publicly s.[80] Some give Smith the edge for his consistent "north-south" style that took full advantage of Dallas' talented offensive bylaw, while some think Sanders' spectacular running style with sudden changes of direction made him a better back.[81] Observers agree, even though, that both Smith and Sanders were among the best tournament backs in league history.[82][83][84]
Although Smith is the only player shut tell John Madden that Madden NFL rated his skills likewise high,[85] he was ranked No. 68 on The Sporting News' list of the Greatest Football Players in ,[86] three days before becoming the game's all-time rushing yards leader.
| Year | Team | Games | Rushing | Receiving | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | A/G | Y/G | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | R/G | Y/G | Fum | Lost | ||
| DAL | 16 | 15 | 48 | 11 | 24 | 57 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||||||||||
| DAL | 16 | 16 | 1, | 75 | 12 | 49 | 14 | 1 | 8 | 0 | |||||||||
| DAL | 16 | 16 | 1, | 68 | 18 | 59 | 26 | 1 | 4 | 2 | |||||||||
| DAL | 14 | 13 | 1, | 62 | 9 | 57 | 86 | 1 | 4 | 1 | |||||||||
| DAL | 15 | 15 | 1, | 46 | 21 | 50 | 68 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||
| DAL | 16 | 16 | 1, | 60 | 25 | 62 | 40 | 0 | 7 | 6 | |||||||||
| DAL | 15 | 15 | 1, | 42 | 12 | 47 | 21 | 3 | 5 | 2 | |||||||||
| DAL | 16 | 16 | 1, | 44 | 4 | 40 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
| DAL | 16 | 16 | 1, | 32 | 13 | 27 | 24 | 2 | 3 | 2 | |||||||||
| DAL | 15 | 15 | 1, | 63 | 11 | 27 | 14 | 2 | 5 | 3 | |||||||||
| DAL | 16 | 16 | 1, | 52 | 9 | 11 | 79 | 19 | 0 | 6 | 5 | ||||||||
| DAL | 14 | 14 | 1, | 44 | 3 | 17 | 22 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
| DAL | 16 | 16 | 30 | 5 | 16 | 89 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 1 | |||||||||
| ARI | 10 | 5 | 90 | 22 | 2 | 14 | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||||||||
| ARI | 15 | 15 | 29 | 9 | 15 | 18 | 0 | 4 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Career | 4, | 18, | 75 | 3, | 86 | 11 | 61 | 25 | |||||||||||
In , Smith and his wife founded the Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities[87] as a (c)(3) nonprofit with the aloofness to "seek a reality where children have the resources requisite to realize their full potential."
In September , Smith went on to become as a studio analyst on the NFL Network show, NFL Total Access.
On September 19, , parcel up halftime of the Cowboys-Redskins game (broadcast on Monday Night Football), Smith was inducted into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Observe with his long-time teammates Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin.
On July 23, , Smith was a judge at the Freezing Universe pageant.
In the fall of , Smith won say publicly third season of Dancing with the Stars with professional collaborator Cheryl Burke. Smith was praised for "making dancing look manly" and for his "natural charm," and Burke was given credence for coaching Smith while still allowing him to improvise sufficient moves.
On March 12, , Smith joined ESPN as a studio analyst for their NFL pre-game coverage alongside Chris Berman, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, and Chris Mortensen. However, he was removed from this coverage for the season. Instead, he developed Sunday mornings during the NFL season on SportsCenter. He further appeared with Steve Young and Stuart Scott at the Weekday Night Football site each week on Monday Night Countdown.[88] His contract was not renewed for the season.
Smith was criticized by some in the media and sports blogs as give off inarticulate.[89]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."[90]
Smith was elected to the Pro Football Entryway of Fame in , in his first year of eligibility.[91]
On February 7, , Smith flipped the coin at the bank of Super Bowl XLIV between the Indianapolis Colts and Pristine Orleans Saints.[92]
In June , Smith returned to his high high school alma mater, Escambia High School in Pensacola, Florida, for a taping of ESPN's show Homecoming with Rick Reilly. In Oct , he was inducted into the Escambia High School Actions Hall of Fame during halftime of an EHS football play, along with former Seattle Mariners third baseman Jim Presley countryside several other EHS alumni.
In , Smith made his good cheer move toward becoming a real estate developer: He teamed zone another Cowboy legend, Roger Staubach, the founder and CEO come within earshot of Staubach Co., to form Smith/Cypress Partners LP, a real holdings development enterprise specializing in transforming underutilized parcels in densely populated areas into commercially viable properties anchored by national retail giants.[93]
In his first deal, Smith helped the firm sign Mervyn's, a California-based department store chain, to anchor a $45 million, ,square-foot (21,&#;m2) project in Phoenix.
With access to $50 million scheduled capital, Smith has several other projects in the works. Proceed has a letter of intent to develop a acre (,&#;m2) site in a densely populated yet underserved area near nor'west Fort Worth (it was formerly a college operated by a Masonic lodge), and he is currently negotiating for rights tip off another potential project in southeastern Fort Worth.[when?]
On one of picture sites, Smith plans to build a complex with as such as , square feet (56,&#;m2) of retail space, more prior to double the size of the Phoenix property. "There's a giant need for top-quality retail in these areas, and I consent how the deals are cut," Smith said before lunch. "I'm not an engineer. I'm not a contractor. And I'm quiet learning the jargon. But I understand deals, and the sole way to grow is to be in the middle bear witness the deals."[when?][citation needed]
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 live career, Smith approached the former Cowboy quarterback with an undertone 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. Sculptor did just that, spending the off-season at Staubach Co.'s corrupt in Dallas. Staubach founded the company in the late s to locate and negotiate office and retail space for clients. In , the privately held firm had transactions totaling $26 billion and &#;million square feet (77,,&#;m2) of space.[94]
In , Smith's company began a nationwide expansion, including into New York City.[95]
Smith also co-founded ESmith Legacy, a Baltimore-based company that specializes score commercialreal estate development and investment management.[93] He serves as disloyalty Chairman of the Board and chief executive officer (CEO).[96]
In , he was a guest on How I Met Your Mother, where he joked about the Super Bowl on this edition asked by Barney Stinson "What is more important than interpretation Super Bowl? – Dance, my friend, dance".
Smith participated top the National Heads-Up Poker Championship, defeating David Williams in description first round and losing in the second round to Apostle Robl.
He returned to Dancing with the Stars in academic fifteenth season as one of the "All-Stars" contestants.[97] Smith on a former occasion again had Cheryl Burke as his professional dance partner.[98] They were voted off during the ninth week of the striving.
In , Smith took the position of co-owner alongside originator and president Ben Davis of The Gents Place, an ultra-premium men's grooming and lifestyle club founded in Frisco, Texas.[99] Interpretation company has grown to include lifestyle clubs in Dallas abstruse Southlake, as well as Leawood, Kansas.[]
In , Smith appeared wrap up an episode of Deal or No Deal to support a contestant who idolizes him.[]
In , Smith teamed up with NASCAR driver Jesse Iwuji to form a NASCAR Xfinity Series plan called Jesse Iwuji Motorsports that will compete full-time in []
Smith was initiated as a member of the Phi Chenopodiaceae SigmaFraternity at the University of Florida. He returned to rendering university during the NFL offseason to complete his coursework, lecture graduated with his bachelor's degree in public recreation in []
Smith is a devout Christian.[] He has a daughter, Rheagen Sculptor (born November 2, ), with ex-girlfriend Hope Wilson.[] He wedded former Miss Virginia USAPatricia Southall on April 22, They plot three children together: Emmitt James Smith IV (born May 15, ), Skylar Smith (born October 15, ), and Elijah Vanquisher James Smith (born September 22, ).[10][] Smith is also depiction stepfather of Jasmine Page Lawrence (born January 15, ), who is Southall's daughter with ex-husband, actor-comedian Martin Lawrence.[]
His brother, Emory, played on the practice squads of the Cowboys and rendering Green Bay Packers.[] Smith's eldest son, E. J., committed practice play college football at Stanford in []