Emmitt Smith

Emmitt Smith, A Part Of Dallas Cowboys History

By JWL

The National Football League’s Dallas Cowboys have been dubbed “America’s Team”. Their consistent high performance, over a span of more than 30 years, has made the team a fan favorite not only in the state of Texas and the United States but globally, as well. Along with their great success on the field, the Dallas Cowboys are just as successful off the field and are considered one of the most valuable sports teams in North America. It is the play on the field, and the individuals who have contributed to that play, that is at the heart of the Cowboys great success.

Endless players have donned the single star and blue and white jerseys of the Dallas Cowboys and left their mark on the team, the NFL, the state, and their fans, near and far. Through its years the team has witnessed a number of all-stars whose skills and achievements have created legends and Dallas Cowboys history, legends such as Emmitt Smith, Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman. Thanks to these players and countless others over the years, the Dallas Cowboys are one of the most successful teams in the history of the NFL and hold numerous league records. The Cowboys hold the league record for most consecutive winning seasons – 20 in all – from 1966 to 1985, as well as the record for most seasons with at least 10 wins (24). As well, they have been Super Bowl Champions five times a record they share with the San Francisco 49ers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The list of team records, a part of Dallas Cowboys history, goes on and on.

The Dallas Cowboys are an exceptional team with a formidable past. The team was particularly successful during the 30 year span from 1966 to 1996 during which time they qualified for the playoffs 24 times, played in 14 NFC Championship Games, and took to the field for 8 Super Bowls, becoming Super Bowl Champions five times. In 1990 the Cowboys drafted a running back, 17^th overall, in the first round pick. That running back was Emmitt Smith, from the University of Florida, who would prove to be another Dallas Cowboys all-star.

Emmitt (with two Ts) Smith was actually born Emmit (one T) Smith. However, at some point in his academic career he received a paper with Emmitt spelled with two Ts. He liked the new spelling and it stuck – from that day forward he was known as Emmitt Smith. During his fifteen year career in the NFL (1990- 2002 with the Dallas Cowboys), Smith amassed a multitude of records. Aside from the statistics, he is noted for having been a player with a competitive heart and great balance. Indeed, he is considered to be one of the most complete players to ever play the position of running back.

The list of Emmitt Smith’s achievements in Texas Stadium and visitors stadiums is long. Some of his achievements include being the first player in NFL history to have five straight seasons with over 1,400 rushing yards and along with NFL great, Jim Brown, to have seven straight 10-touchdown seasons to start his career. In 2001, with 1,021 yards rushing, Smith became the first player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in 11 consecutive seasons and the first to post 11 1,000-yard rushing seasons in a career. Smith currently holds the NFL record in career rushing yards with 18,355. Breaking the previous record held by Walter Payton on October 27, 2002, Smith is the only player in NFL history to rush for over 18,000 yards. He leads all running backs with 166 career touchdowns, and his 175 total touchdowns ranks him second only to Jerry Rice’s 207 touchdowns. Smith also has to his name a number of 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 tops on the NFL postseason chart, and he shares the total playoff touchdown mark of 21 with Thurman Thomas.

In February 2005, Emmitt Smith was released from the Arizona Cardinals and signed a one day contract, for no money, with his former Cowboys team, after which he immediately retired as a Dallas Cowboy. Emmitt Smith left behind a most impressive legacy and a lasting impression on the entire National Football League. The NFL Dallas Cowboys have been an exceptional team through the years thanks to their many outstanding all-stars. Emmitt Smith is one such all-star, and a legend of Dallas Cowboys history