Emmitt Smith

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Smith grew up in Pensacola, Florida, and became the second-leading rusher in American high school football history while playing for Escambia High School. He played three years of college football for the 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. 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. 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.

In Their Own Story

The 1993 season stands as the absolute peak of Emmitt Smith's career and perhaps the most complete single-season performance by a running back in NFL history. That year, Smith achieved a singular distinction: he became the only running back to ever win the 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. This trifecta of excellence cemented his status as an elite player. His dominance extended beyond that singular year. Smith joined Steve Van Buren, Jim Brown, and Earl Campbell as one of only four running backs to lead the NFL in rushing for three or more consecutive seasons. He also achieved a rare scoring feat, becoming one of only two non-kickers in NFL history to score more than 1,000 career points, alongside Jerry Rice.

Reader's Guide

Smith was born in Pensacola, Florida, the son of Mary J. Smith and Emmitt James Smith Jr. At the age of eight, he played his first organized football game on a team sponsored by the Salvation Army. He attended Escambia High School, where he played football and ran track. During high school, Escambia won two state championships, and Smith rushed for 106 touchdowns and 8,804 yards, second most in American high school football history at the time. He rushed for over 100 yards in 45 of 49 starts and finished with a 7.8 yards per carry average. Twice he broke the 2,000-yard rushing mark in a season. In track, he competed as a sprinter and was a member of the 4 × 100 m relay squad. He was named the 1986 national high school player of the year by several publications, including USA Today, Parade Magazine, and Gatorade. In 2007, the FHSAA named Smith to its All-Century Team and recognized him as the Florida high school football 'Player of the Century.' Despite his accomplishments, some recruiting analysts thought he was too small and slow for major college football. Recruiting expert Max Emfinger did not list Smith among the top 50 high school running backs and opined, '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.' Smith accepted a scholarship to the University of Florida, where he played for coach Galen Hall for three seasons. He did not start the first two games of 1987, but gained 109 yards on ten carries in a rout of Tulsa, earning a starting spot. In his first collegiate start, he broke Florida's 57-year-old single-game rushing record with 39 carries for 224 yards and two touchdowns as the Gators upset Alabama. He broke the 1,000-yard barrier in the seventh game, the fastest any running back had done so to begin his college career. He finished 1987 with 229 carries for 1,341 yards and 13 touchdowns, was named SEC and National Freshman of the Year, and was ninth in Heisman balloting. In 1988, the Gators started 5–0 with Smith averaging over 120 rushing yards per game, but he sprained his knee in the sixth game against Memphis State and missed a month, during which Florida lost four straight and did not score a touchdown in 14 consecutive quarters. Smith returned in mid-November and Florida won two of its final three games, including the All-American Bowl

Did You Know?

• Smith is the only running back to win a Super Bowl, NFL MVP, rushing crown, and Super Bowl MVP all in the same season (1993).
• He led the league in rushing and won the Super Bowl in the same year three times (1992, 1993, 1995), a feat never done before.
• Smith is one of only two non-kickers in NFL history to score more than 1,000 career points, the other being Jerry Rice.
• He broke Walter Payton's all-time rushing record with 18,355 yards.
• Smith holds the record for career rushing touchdowns with 164.