Emmitt Smith

Emmitt Smith: biography

In his 20-year sports career, Smith has performed for two squads under No. 22 on his jersey. The sportsman had managed to conquer numerous precious titles for high stats and excellent athetism, had always led his teams to victories of the most difficult matches before retiring in 2005. If you want to know more interesting facts of his life, you’re on the right track! Read below full biography of the player!

Childhood and youth

His birthplace is Florida. Smith was brought up alongside a brother named Emory – who is also a professional athlete nowadays. The boys showed obvious inclinations towards sport from the infancy – they could spend a whole day playing active games outside.

While at a high school, young sportsman dedicated time to playing football and was keen on ran track. Smith was included in the list of the best players of his educational establishment. Once he led his team to victory of the tournament of Florida. Totally, he made 110 touchdowns and 7799 yards – almost the highest student’s result ever. On average, he scored 8.0 yards per game. Such excellent stats brought Emmitt Smith title of the best school player of 1987.

Although Smith showed perfect results, there were doubts Smith would succeed to reach these heights while at a college. Professional athletes hesitated over his abilities and claimed he would not differ from other regular sportsmen.

College football career

In 1987 Emmitt Smith enrolled at a university. The sportsman managed to break college 60-year-old record, having carried 40 times for 231 yards and two touchdowns. In the 7th match, Smith recorded his 1000th yards. Totally, his freshman year was closed with 1299 yards.

In 1988, the sportsman made on average 131 yards per fight – his worst result ever. Several weeks after the beginning of the season, Smith suffered a knee injury and had to miss one month of playing. Having returned to matches, the sportsman helped his squad close the year 7-5. In sum, he astonished fans by making 993 yards.

As for the next season, Smith managed to avoid injuries and was pretty lucky in terms of stats. By the end of the year, he had made 1,600 rushing yards. Remarkably, while leaving college, he was awarded for establishing more than 50 university records.

In 1990 Emmitt Smith became squad’s new head coach. The same year, he applied for participation in the NFL draft.

Professional football career

Having demonstrated his abilities in the competition, he grabbed attention of two squads. So, the Cincinnati Bengals selected him. However, the other team entitled Dallas Cowboys wanted to own him and bought the player. In total, Smith was set as a starter in 15 matches, rushed for 940 yards and 12 touchdowns. The season 1991 brought him 1600 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.

The following year, he established squad record of most rushing yards – he made 1,800 ones.

In 1993, his team went to a training camp, but Smith had to miss it. While taking part in a Super Bowl, the sportsman made 1,500 rushing yards and ten touchdowns. Having faced the Philadelphia Eagles in October, the player registered 240 rushing yards – one more his record.

The following year, Emmitt Smith took part in the NFC Tournament with his squad. In spite of his 23 rushing touchdowns, the team was beaten by the 49ers.

1996 brought Smith his 100th rushing touchdown ever.

2001 was Smith’s 12th season to score 1,000 yards.

2002 was closed with 17,500 career yards. The following year, he left the Dallas Cowboys, became a free agent and joined the Arizona Cardinals, having concluded a two-year commercial contract. Team’s manager bought him not only to help the squad improve their results, but to get attention of publicity what was really interested in Smith’s personality.

Fighting against the Dallas Cowboys, Emmitt Smith got a severe injury. As a result, he was ruled out for seven matches to recover his health. Smith’s total season results were estimated at 260 rushing yards.

As for 2004, he scored 1,200 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.

In early 2005, the sportsman stated he would retire from his football career.

Emmitt Smith’s net worth is evaluated at $20 million.

Personal life

Emmitt Smith is a very religious person – he was raised according to Christian canons.

As for his private life, the sportsman has had several affairs. So, in the 1990s he was romantically involved with Hope Wilson. The two welcomed a daughter named Rheagen in 1998, although Hope was not Smith’s official wife.

2000 was marked by the beginning of his marriage with a model Patricia Southall. The couple has three kids – two sons and a daughter. As Emmitt doesn’t play anymore, he has enough time to spend with his loved ones. Once in an interview he shared family was the priority for him.

Having left a football career, the sportsman has tried himself out in other different activities. So, in 2005 he began starring on the program NFL Total Access. The following year, he judged participants of the Miss America. Besides, around that time he appeared on Dancing with the Stars alongside Cheryl Burke – the two became winners of season 3.

Moreover, Smith became involved in real estate development, began working with business companies.

Once the former player for asked by journalists if he had neglected doing sport at all. Smith answered that he had never thought of giving up doing exercises every day and that he trained two times a day to keep fit.

Achievement

• Super Bowl champion
• Bert Bell Award (1993)
• All-American