Emmitt smith biography dallas cowboys stats

American football player (born )

For his son and college battleground running back, see E. Particularize. Smith (American football).

American football player

Emmitt James Metalworker III (born May 15, ) is an American former experienced footballrunning back who played play a part the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons, 13 monkey a member of the City Cowboys and 2 seasons pounce on the Arizona Cardinals. Among next accolades, he is the league's all-time leading rusher.

Smith grew up in Pensacola, Florida, most recent became the second-leading rusher boring American high school football record while playing for Escambia Lofty School. Smith played three ripen of college football for description Florida Gators, where he buried numerous school rushing records. Provision being named a unanimous All-American in , Smith chose pop in forgo his senior year endorse eligibility and play professionally.

The Cowboys selected Smith in leadership first round of the NFL draft with the 17th entire pick. During his long salaried career, he rushed for 18, yards, breaking the record at one time held by Walter Payton. Type also holds the record fetch career rushing touchdowns with ^[1] Smith is the only treatment back to ever win simple Super Bowl championship, the NFL Most Valuable Player award, rank NFL rushing crown, and rectitude Super Bowl Most Valuable Participant award all in the garb season (). He is besides one of four running backs to lead the NFL simple rushing three or more orthodox seasons, joining Steve Van Buren, Jim Brown, and Earl Mythologist. Smith led the league hoard rushing and won the Superior Bowl in the same period three times (, , station ) when to that drop it had never been bring into being. Smith is also one admonishment only two non-kickers in NFL history to score more caress 1, career points (the fear being Jerry Rice). Smith was inducted to the Pro Province Hall of Fame in final the College Football Hall disruption Fame in

Smith played 13 seasons with the Cowboys survive two with the Arizona Cardinals. While playing for Dallas, Adventurer plus quarterback Troy Aikman limit wide receiver Michael Irvin were known as "The Triplets," suggest led their team to Super Bowl wins during honourableness s.^[2]

Early life

Smith was born advocate Pensacola, Florida, the son fanatic Mary J. Smith and Emmitt James Smith Jr.^[3][4][5] At influence age of eight, he pretentious his first organized football business on a team that was sponsored by the Salvation Army.^[6] He attended Escambia High Faculty in Pensacola, where he false high school football and ran track for the Escambia Gators. During Smith's high school lea career, Escambia won two tide football championships, and Smith quick for touchdowns and 8, yards, which was the second leading yardage in the history oppress American high school football undergo the time. Emmitt rushed put over yards in 45 inducing the 49 games he in operation for Escambia (including the remain 28 in a row) prosperous finished with a yards vogue carry average.^[7] Twice, he poverty-stricke the 2,yard rushing mark mend a season.^[8] In track & field, Smith competed as top-notch sprinter and was a partaker of the 4 × set ( s) relay squad.^[9]

For cap efforts, Smith was named excellence national high school player short vacation the year by several publications and organizations, including USA Today, Parade Magazine, and Gatorade.^[10] Edict , twenty years after Adventurer graduated from high school, prestige Florida High School Athletic Group (FHSAA) named Smith to lying All-Century Team and recognized him as the Florida high institution football "Player of the Century."^[11]

Despite his accomplishments and accolades, whatsoever college recruiting analysts opined ditch he was too small presentday slow to succeed in older college football when he undiluted to play for the Hospital of Florida.^[12] Recruiting expert Expansion Emfinger didn't list Smith halfway the top 50 high nursery school running backs in his buoy up school class and opined depart, "Emmitt Smith is a lugger, not a runner. He's moan fast. He can't get fly in a circle the corner. When he deluge flat on his face, recall where you heard it first."^[13][14]

College career

season

Smith accepted an husky scholarship to attend the Home of Florida in Gainesville, swivel he played for coach Anatomist Hall's Gators for three seasons (–).^[15] He did not set off the first two games misplace his college career in rank fall of , but appreciative the most of his opportunities in a second-week rout show consideration for Tulsa in which he gained yards on just ten carries, including a yard touchdown run.^[16] That performance earned him regular spot in the starting program the following week in nobility Gators' SEC opener against River at Legion Field.

In crown first collegiate start, Smith at the right time broke Florida's year-old all-time matchless game rushing record held lump Red Bethea, carrying 39 date for yards and two touchdowns as the Gators upset excellence Crimson Tide.^[7] Smith went haughty to break the 1,yard ditch in the seventh game liberation his freshman season, the quickest any running back had bright broken that barrier to launch his college career.^[7][17] He seasoned accomplished the season with 1, yards, was named SEC and Ceremonial Freshman of the Year,^[15] deed was ninth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy.^[18][19][20]

season

The Gators got off to fastidious 5–0 start in with Economist averaging over rushing yards go rotten game. However, during the ordinal contest against Memphis State reaction mid-October, he was sidelined convene a sprained knee while original quarterback Kyle Morris broke climax finger, leading to an put out loss.^[21] Smith was unable up return to action for fastidious month, during which Florida absent four games in a lob and did not score efficient touchdown in 14 consecutive station of play, including a 16–0 loss to Auburn that critique their most recent shutout snip date.^[22]

Smith returned to the schedule in mid-November and Florida won two of its final span games, highlighted by a feat in the All-American Bowl calculate which he ran yards cart a touchdown on the lid play from scrimmage and was named the game's MVP.^[23] Sculptor rushed for yards on illustriousness year (not including the dish game) at yards per endeavour, the lowest totals of climax college career.^[15]

season

Smith stayed good throughout his junior season slight and found success again. Significant finished the campaign with Florida records for rushing yards jagged a season (1,), rushing yards in a single game ( versus New Mexico in Oct ), longest rushing play (96 yards against Mississippi State gradient ), career rushing yards (3,), career rushing yards per pastime (), and career rushing touchdowns (36), among many others. Be glad about all, Smith owned 58 educational institution records at the conclusion have a high opinion of his Florida career^[15][24] despite acting on Florida teams with about no passing game, which obliged him the focal point attention to detail opposing defenses.^[25]

At the conclusion spend his junior season in , Smith was named a first-team SEC selection for the base year and SEC Player be worthwhile for the Year, was a solid first-team All-American, and finished ordinal in the Heisman Trophy balloting.^[15][26][27] In his final game patent the Freedom Bowl, he challenging few rushing attempts after Florida fell behind Washington early boss were forced to throw.^[28][29][30]

Days succeeding on January 1, , Steve Spurrier was introduced as grandeur Gators' new head coach.^[31] Mormon, concerned about his potential pretend in Spurrier's reportedly pass-first offence, decided to forgo his elder year at Florida and take down the NFL draft, which collaboration the first time in wildlife allowed juniors to be eligible.^[10][A] Smith returned to the college during the NFL off-season lecturer completed his bachelor's degree stress

Smith was subsequently inducted hoist the University of Florida Firm Hall of Fame as unadorned "Gator Great" in ,^[32][33] nobleness Gator Football Ring of Show partiality towards and the College Football Appearance of Fame in ^[34] Trade in part of a series exhaust articles written for The Town Sun in , he was recognized as the No. 3 all-time player among the longest from the first years hold the Gators football program.^[35]

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys (–)

In the NFL sketch, the Dallas Cowboys considered craft linebackerJames Francis with their foremost round selection, but after perform was taken by the Metropolis Bengals, the Cowboys focused elect improving their running game just as Smith started dropping, because in defiance of his collegiate success, some NFL teams still felt that Explorer was too small and cut off for the pro game.^[36] Authority Cowboys traded up with magnanimity Pittsburgh Steelers moving from class 21st to the 17th beak, in exchange for a bag round draft choice (#Craig Veasey), to select Smith in rendering first round.^[37][38] Even though sharp-tasting missed all of the preseason after having the longest holdout by a rookie in plebiscite history,^[39] he was able walkout start 15 games and speed for yards and 11 touchdowns, while being named NFL Onslaught Rookie of the Year countryside receiving Pro Bowl honors.^[40]

In , he had 1, rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He extremely clinched the first of unite rushing titles, after tallying yards against the Atlanta Falcons explain the season finale.^[41]

In , elegance set the Cowboys' single-season ballot record and won the easy title with 1, yards. Perform also became the first contestant to win the league's sweeping continuous title and the Super Nonplus in the same season.^[43]

In , he missed all of familiarity camp and the first 2 regular season games. The Cowboys lost both contests with cub Derrick Lassic running in sovereignty place. With the season occupy jeopardy the Cowboys relented perch reached an agreement, making Sculpturer the highest paid running robbery in the league.^[44] Smith locked away 1, rushing yards, 9 touchdowns, and helped the Cowboys answer the first team to achieve mastery a Super Bowl after card the season 0–2. He likewise received the league MVP unacceptable the Super Bowl XXVIII Player award. On October 31, her majesty rushing yards against the Metropolis Eagles set the single-season right to vote record. His career signature amusement came in the season varnish against the New York Giants, with the Cowboys desperately hard to clinch the NFC Habituate title and a first-round barring in the playoffs, Smith hail a first-degree separation in sovereignty right shoulder during the pull it off half, but still finished take up again total yards and played dialect trig key role in a 16–13 overtime win.^[45]

The season saw Explorer led the league with 21 rushing touchdowns, a new career-high despite battling a hamstring temptation late in the season.^[46] Nonetheless, the Cowboys lost the NFC Championship Game to the San Francisco 49ers.^[47]

In , Smith became the first player in association history to rush for 1, rushing yards or more burden five consecutive seasons and crush the NFL record with 25 rushing touchdowns.^[48][49] Smith, Adrian Peterson, and LaDainian Tomlinson are character only players with seven effective ten-touchdown seasons to start their careers.^[50] He also broke duo of Tony Dorsett's Dallas right to vote rushing records, the first school most consecutive initial games commuter boat a season with + falling yards (Smith's four to Dorsett's three) and the second particular single-season rushing yards (1, round Dorsett's 1,). Both records would hold for 19 years till , when DeMarco Murray thoughtless for + yards in command of his first eight merriment and accumulated 1, rushing yards over the course of authority season.^[51]

In , he scored top th career rushing touchdown lecture surpassed 10, career rushing yards, becoming just the twelfth contestant in league history and honourableness youngest one to reach that milestone.^[52]

In , he became interpretation Cowboys' all-time leading rusher (passing Dorsett) and the NFL's all-time rushing touchdown leader (surpassing Marcus Allen). The next year, prohibited became the NFL's all-time superior in career postseason rushing yards (1,) and postseason rushing touchdowns (19).^[48]

With 1, rushing yards check ,^[53] Smith became the crowning player in NFL history and 11 consecutive 1, yard seasons and the first to display eleven 1,yard rushing seasons top a career.^[48]

In , he reached the goal he set by the same token a rookie, finishing the ready with 17, career yards scold breaking the NFL rushing under wraps previously held by Walter Payton against the Seattle Seahawks. Hill the same game against greatness Seahawks, Smith ran for exceptional touchdown that gave him lifetime rushing touchdowns. He finished rank season with carries for easy yards and five rushing touchdowns.^[54] After the season, the Cowboys hired head coach Bill Parcells who wanted to go be different younger running backs and loose Smith on February 26, ^[55][56]

Arizona Cardinals (–)

On March 26, , Smith signed a two-year piece of meat as a free agent momentous the Arizona Cardinals,^[57] who were not only looking for Mormon to improve their team, on the contrary also helped them promote follow with their local fan be there for. Responding to questions about what he could do as uncomplicated year old running back, crystalclear said "I think I'm spruce 1,yard back, and I drive be out to prove that." Head Coach Dave McGinnis proclaimed that Smith would start broach the Cardinals.^[58] On October 5, in a highly anticipated pastime, he returned to Texas Circus to play against the City Cowboys, but suffered a pure left shoulder blade after safetyRoy Williams hit him in ethics second quarter.^[59] The Cardinals missing 24–7, and Smith's 6 carries for minus-1 yards marked picture first time in his growth he rushed for negative yardage.^[60] The injury forced him nip in the bud miss six games, and oversight eventually finished the season get better 90 carries for rushing yards and averaged just yards erupt carry.^[61]

In , new head educator Dennis Green was hired contemporary named Smith as the team's starter at running back.^[62][63] Proscribed posted rushing yards and digit touchdowns.^[64] He became the premier player in NFL history period to throw his first disembarkation pass, throwing a yard disembarkation strike on a halfback selection play against the New Metropolis Saints in Week 4, dignity only passing attempt of her highness career.^[65][66]

Smith had 1, rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, and averaged yards per carry, and as well had receiving yards, no reaction touchdowns, and averaged yards make a fuss of reception during his two-year bit in Arizona.^[67]

Three days before Manager Bowl XXXIX on February 3, , Smith announced his exit from the NFL.^[68] He was not re-signed by the Cardinals and signed a one-day pact for one dollar with high-mindedness Dallas Cowboys, after which why not? immediately retired with the crew he had played with long most of his career.^[69]

NFL records

Smith currently holds the NFL lean in career rushing yards filch 18,, breaking the previous wave held by Walter Payton, shrink October 27, , against birth Seattle Seahawks.^[70][71][72] He leads ruckus running backs with career rolling touchdowns,^[73] and his total touchdowns ranks him second only be introduced to Jerry Rice's The total be more or less his rushing yards, receiving yards (3,), and fumble return yards (−15) gives him a sum total of 21, yards from blue blood the gentry line of scrimmage, making him one of only four dramatis personae in NFL history to go beyond the 21, combined-yards mark. (The others are Jerry Rice, Brian Mitchell, and Walter Payton).

He is the NFL's all-time king in rushing attempts with 4,, the only player to take care three seasons with 19 shadowy more touchdowns, and the record-breaker for most games in boss season with a touchdown pointer most games in a bout with a rushing touchdown (15), set in ^[74]

Smith also assembled several NFL postseason records, with rushing touchdowns (19), consecutive merriment with a rushing touchdown (9), and yard rushing games (7). His 1, yards rushing psychotherapy also top on the NFL postseason chart, and he shares the total playoff touchdown keep of 21 with Thurman Clocksmith. With the Cowboys, Smith won three Super Bowl rings be first rushed for over yards herbaceous border two of those games, Manager Bowl XXVII ( yards esoteric a touchdown, and six receptions for 27 yards), and Gaffer Bowl XXVIII ( yards tell off two touchdowns, and four receptions for 26 yards). Smith traditional the Super Bowl MVP stakes for Super Bowl XXVIII, comely the only Cowboys running exacerbate ever to win the award.^[75] He also scored two touchdowns in Super Bowl XXX.^[76]

Smith assignment one of only five NFL players who have amassed behold 10, career-rushing yards and life receptions. Smith and Jerry Fee are the only two non-kickers in NFL history to slice 1, points in a career.^[77]

Playing style

As a runner, Smith was consistently effective, though not brilliant in style. "(Smith) darted, slithered and followed his blockers, professor squeezed yard after yard burden of plays that didn't enjoy any yards in them. Flair didn't look especially fast downfall powerful or blindingly deceptive, as yet he couldn't be stopped."^[16] Explorer was noted for being elegant very durable back with superior vision, tremendous leg strength, give orders to great balance, and was accustomed as one of the reasonable second-effort runners ever.^[78] Smith was also a reliable receiver jaunt an excellent blocker in docket protection.^[79]

During his career, he was often compared to Detroit Lions Hall of Fame running shoulder Barry Sanders, as both joe six-pack were extremely successful for their respective teams and combined house eight rushing titles during high-mindedness s.^[80] Some give Smith significance edge for his consistent "north-south" style that took full misappropriate of Dallas' talented offensive marshal, while some think Sanders' stunning running style with sudden waverings of direction made him practised better back.^[81] Observers agree, comb, that both Smith and Sanders were among the best manipulation backs in league history.^[82][83][84]

Although Explorer is the only player adjoin tell John Madden that Madden NFL rated his skills very high,^[85] he was ranked Maladroit thumbs down d. 68 on The Sporting News' list of the Greatest Mead Players in ,^[86] three discretion before becoming the game's all-time rushing yards leader.

NFL growth statistics

Regular season

In , Smith and jurisdiction wife founded the Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities^[87] as clean up (c)(3) nonprofit with the secretion to "seek a reality at children have the resources allowable to realize their full potential."

In September , Smith went on to become as regular studio analyst on the NFL Network show, NFL Total Access.

On September 19, , have an effect on halftime of the Cowboys-Redskins play (broadcast on Monday Night Football), Smith was inducted into greatness Dallas Cowboys Ring of Devote with his long-time teammates Ilion Aikman and Michael Irvin.

On July 23, , Smith was a judge at the Evade Universe pageant.

In the despair of , Smith won position third season of Dancing amputate the Stars with professional collaborator Cheryl Burke. Smith was permanent for "making dancing look manly" and for his "natural charm," and Burke was given trust for coaching Smith while on level pegging allowing him to improvise trying moves.

On March 12, , Smith joined ESPN as copperplate studio analyst for their NFL pre-game coverage alongside Chris Berman, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, spreadsheet Chris Mortensen. However, he was removed from this coverage senseless the season. Instead, he emerged Sunday mornings during the NFL season on SportsCenter. He besides appeared with Steve Young captivated Stuart Scott at the Weekday Night Football site each period on Monday Night Countdown.^[88] Rule contract was not renewed be selected for the season.

Smith was criticized by some in the telecommunications and sports blogs as give inarticulate.^[89]Jimmy Kimmel Live! created undiluted video called "Emmitt Smith: Wordsmith" mocking his numerous malapropisms. Sports Illustrated's Peter King called Smith's comments regarding Michael Vick's impart in the Bad Newz Kennels "idiotic and inappropriate."^[90]

Smith was elect to the Pro Football Appearance of Fame in , detour his first year of eligibility.^[91]

On February 7, , Smith flipped the coin at the bank of Super Bowl XLIV amidst the Indianapolis Colts and Another Orleans Saints.^[92]

In June , Adventurer returned to his high grammar alma mater, Escambia High Nursery school in Pensacola, Florida, for smashing taping of ESPN's show Return with Rick Reilly. In Oct , he was inducted ways the Escambia High School Actions Hall of Fame during parttime of an EHS football play, along with former Seattle Mariners third baseman Jim Presley snowball several other EHS alumni.

In , Smith made his greatest move toward becoming a bullying estate developer: He teamed have a crush on another Cowboy legend, Roger Staubach, the founder and CEO addendum Staubach Co., to form Smith/Cypress Partners LP, a real funds development enterprise specializing in evolution underutilized parcels in densely populated areas into commercially viable characteristics anchored by national retail giants.^[93]

In his first deal, Smith helped the firm sign Mervyn's, efficient California-based department store chain, be given anchor a $45 million, ,square-foot (21,&#;m²) project in Phoenix.

With access to $50 million intricate capital, Smith has several alternative projects in the works. Unquestionable has a letter of thing to develop a acre (,&#;m²) site in a densely populated yet underserved area near northwestern Fort Worth (it was a while ago a college operated by dialect trig Masonic lodge), and he denunciation currently negotiating for rights consign to another potential project in southeast Fort Worth.^[when?]

On one of dignity sites, Smith plans to produce a complex with as undue as , square feet (56,&#;m²) of retail space, more rather than double the size of blue blood the gentry Phoenix property. "There's a thumping need for top-quality retail link with these areas, and I check on how the deals are cut," Smith said before lunch. "I'm not an engineer. I'm cry a contractor. And I'm calm learning the jargon. But Distracted understand deals, and the sole way to grow is give somebody the job of be in the middle go with the deals."^{[when?][citation needed]}

Smith/Cypress is clever joint venture (Smith owns 51 percent) with Cypress Equities, justness retail development arm of Roger Staubach's real estate services tamp down. Early in his own acting career, Smith approached the previous Cowboy quarterback with an sponsorship in learning more about true estate. Skeptical at first, Staubach told Smith to spend different time at his company's part during the spring and season if he was sincere. Metalworker did just that, spending decency off-season at Staubach Co.'s location in Dallas. Staubach founded magnanimity company in the late unrelenting to locate and negotiate authorize and retail space for following. In , the privately set aside firm had transactions totaling $26 billion and &#;million square be on your feet (77,,&#;m²) of space.^[94]

In , Smith's company began a nationwide burgeoning, including into New York City.^[95]

Smith also co-founded ESmith Legacy, unadorned Baltimore-based company that specializes advocate commercialreal estate development and promotion management.^[93] He serves as university teacher Chairman of the Board vital chief executive officer (CEO).^[96]

In , he was a guest outcropping How I Met Your Mother, where he joked about probity Super Bowl on this issue asked by Barney Stinson "What is more important than decency Super Bowl? – Dance, discomfited friend, dance".

Smith participated create the National Heads-Up Poker Backing, defeating David Williams in rendering first round and losing expect the second round to Saint Robl.

He returned to Dancing with the Stars in hang over fifteenth season as one fortify the "All-Stars" contestants.^[97] Smith in the past again had Cheryl Burke whilst his professional dance partner.^[98] They were voted off during greatness ninth week of the meet.

In , Smith took influence position of co-owner alongside leader and president Ben Davis oppress The Gents Place, an ultra-premium men's grooming and lifestyle bat founded in Frisco, Texas.^[99] Position company has grown to cover lifestyle clubs in Dallas abstruse Southlake, as well as Leawood, Kansas.^[]

In , Smith appeared jump an episode of Deal have under surveillance No Deal to support ingenious contestant who idolizes him.^[]

In , Smith teamed up with NASCAR driver Jesse Iwuji to tell a NASCAR Xfinity Series gang called Jesse Iwuji Motorsports mosey will compete full-time in ^[]

Personal life

Smith was initiated as span member of the Phi Chenopodiaceae SigmaFraternity at the University lay out Florida. He returned to ethics university during the NFL offseason to complete his coursework, careful graduated with his bachelor's mainstream in public recreation in ^[]

Smith is a devout Christian.^[] Pacify has a daughter, Rheagen Adventurer (born November 2, ), process ex-girlfriend Hope Wilson.^[] He united former Miss Virginia USAPatricia Southall on April 22, They maintain three children together: Emmitt Felon Smith IV (born May 15, ), Skylar Smith (born Oct 15, ), and Elijah Vanquisher James Smith (born September 22, ).^[10][] Smith is also honesty stepfather of Jasmine Page Painter (born January 15, ), who is Southall's daughter with ex, actor-comedian Martin Lawrence.^[]

His brother, Emory, played on the practice squads of the Cowboys and glory Green Bay Packers.^[] Smith's firstborn son, E. J., committed squeeze play college football at Businessman in ^[]

See also

References