A Hall-of-Fame career … Emmitt Smith’s NFL career lasted for 15 seasons, 13 of which were with the Dallas Cowboys, where he established himself as probably the greatest running back in professional football history. He not only holds the record for most rushing yards with an astounding 18,355 yards, but also helped the Cowboys to three Super Bowl victories in four seasons. His accomplishments are even more impressive when you take into account he was considered too small (he stands 5-foot-9) and too slow to make it in the pros. An inspirational induction speech … This past weekend, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, and gave a stirring speech, thanking everyone who helped him get to where he did in his career, and talked about how he was able to accomplish everything he did. As he said in the speech, “I wrote down my goals and how I was going to achieve them,” because, as his high school coach, Dwight Thomas, told him and his teammates, “It’s only a dream, until you write it down, and then it becomes a goal.” A person who has long given back … In the early 1990s, Smith and his wife, Pat, started the Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities, which “creates unique educational experiences and enrichment opportunities for underserved children.” The charity focuses on the Dallas/Fort Worth area, providing grants to nonprofits that help children, and both Smith and his wife continue to be very active in the community.
By the Numbers:
- This past March, Smith was given the Shell Legacy Award for his charitable contributions, including the 23 college scholarships the Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities have provided to children in need.
- Smith ran for 1,000 yards or more 11 seasons in a row.
- On the heels of his Dancing With the Stars victory in 2006, Smith helped raise more than $100,000 for charity in an event that included auctioning off private dance lessons that he himself would give to couples.
- His 164 rushing TDs are the most of anyone in NFL history.
- Smith gave one lucky person, Prentice Richmond, a trip of a lifetime, allowing the Dallas-area student the opportunity to travel with the Smith family to the Hall of Fame induction this past weekend.
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Photo by johntrainor via Flickr.