Emmitt Smith Biography Quotes 4 Report mistakes
| 4 Quotes | |
| Born as | Emmitt James Smith |
| Occup. | Athlete |
| From | USA |
| Born | May 15, 1969 Pensacola, Florida |
| Age | 56 years |
Emmitt James Smith III was born on May 15, 1969, in Pensacola, Florida, and grew up with a drive that matched the football tradition of his home state. From an early age he combined quick vision, balance, and durability, learning how to embrace contact and keep moving forward. Family and community support anchored his ambitions, and the competitive fields of youth and high school football provided his first broad stage.
High School and College Years
At Escambia High School in Pensacola, Smith became a national name, piling up yards and attention from major college programs. He chose the University of Florida, where he immediately transformed the Gators offense. Under coaches who trusted his instincts and patience, he set rushing marks and delivered big performances that helped the program stabilize during a transitional era. His blend of power and economy of motion foreshadowed the pro success to come. After three seasons, he declared for the 1990 NFL Draft, convinced he could carry an NFL workload and produce at the highest level.
Dallas Cowboys Ascendancy
The Dallas Cowboys selected Smith in 1990, pairing him with owner Jerry Jones, head coach Jimmy Johnson, quarterback Troy Aikman, and wide receiver Michael Irvin to form the core of a resurgence. With fullback Daryl Johnston clearing paths and the celebrated offensive line often called the Great Wall of Dallas, including stalwarts such as Nate Newton, Mark Tuinei, Erik Williams, Mark Stepnoski, and later Larry Allen, Smith found the lanes he needed. He became the heartbeat of a team that won Super Bowls XXVII, XXVIII, and XXX, translating steady, punishing runs into championships.
Peak Seasons and Defining Moments
Smith's prime was defined by relentless consistency and clutch resilience. He won multiple rushing titles and, in 1993, earned the league's Most Valuable Player award while also claiming Super Bowl MVP honors. That season featured one of football's iconic performances: the regular-season finale against the New York Giants, when Smith played through a painful shoulder injury to help secure home-field advantage. The moment distilled the leadership his teammates admired and that coaches like Jimmy Johnson and, later, Barry Switzer relied upon.
As his career progressed, Smith's week-to-week output added up to historic totals. In 2002 he surpassed Walter Payton to become the NFL's all-time leading rusher, a milestone that reflected not just talent but endurance, durability, and a willingness to take the hard yards. Alongside Aikman and Irvin, he formed a Hall of Fame-caliber trio that defined the Cowboys of the 1990s. Their partnership, guided by Jimmy Johnson's exacting culture and Jerry Jones's organizational ambition, delivered one of the era's great dynasties.
Later Career and Retirement
After a long run in Dallas, Smith finished his playing days with the Arizona Cardinals, where he continued to contribute as a veteran presence while pursuing personal milestones. He returned to the Cowboys briefly to sign a ceremonial contract so that he could retire with the franchise most closely associated with his identity and achievements. The team honored him for his leadership and his role in reshaping expectations for the running back position in the modern NFL.
Life Beyond Football
Transitioning from the field, Smith became a television analyst and a public speaker, sharing lessons on preparation, perseverance, and teamwork. He also ventured into business, focusing on real estate and development projects that drew on his interest in building and long-range planning. With his wife, Patricia Pat Smith, he helped lead philanthropic work in North Texas and beyond, emphasizing education, mentorship, and opportunities for underserved youth through their charitable foundation. The couple's partnership and family life anchored his post-football endeavors, providing a platform for community impact and outreach.
Smith's public profile broadened in 2006 when he appeared on Dancing with the Stars with professional partner Cheryl Burke, winning the competition. The victory showcased the same discipline and adaptability that defined his football career, translating cadence and footwork from the gridiron to the ballroom while introducing him to a broader audience.
Honors and Legacy
Smith's legacy is built on production, poise, and the ability to elevate teams. He earned multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections, became the NFL's all-time leading rusher, and entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. In Dallas he is remembered not only for yards and touchdowns but for setting a standard of reliability that coaches and teammates could count on. The influence of figures like Jimmy Johnson, Barry Switzer, Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Daryl Johnston, and the linemen who formed his protective wall is inseparable from his story. Together they constructed a blueprint for winning that still resonates with the franchise and its fans.
Beyond statistics, Smith's career is a case study in mastery of craft. He excelled not merely by outrunning defenders, but by reading blocks, finishing runs forward, protecting the football, and showing up every week. His charitable work with Pat Smith and his readiness to mentor younger athletes illustrate how he leveraged fame for service. To generations of players and fans, Emmitt James Smith III stands as proof that sustained excellence, executed with humility and resolve, can leave a mark that endures long after the final whistle.
Our collection contains 4 quotes who is written by Emmitt, under the main topics: Motivational - Work Ethic - Knowledge - Retirement.
Other people realated to Emmitt: Pat Summerall (Celebrity), Jim Brown (Athlete), Barry Sanders (Athlete), Deion Sanders (Athlete)
Source / external links