Tag: Emmitt Smith

Gator great Emmitt Smith talks about when he tried to become a Dolphin

Smith going to Miami would have changed the childhoods of a LOT of football fans.

One fun mental exercise that sports fans like to play is, “What if?” For example, “What if X athlete had played for Y team during their career?” is a common query when it comes to the best that each respective sport had to offer over the years.

Recently, Gator great and NFL Hall of Fame running back [autotag]Emmitt Smith[/autotag] made a guest appearance on “The Pivot” podcast with Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder, and told the gang about the time he almost became a member of the Miami Dolphins.

Coming off a campaign that saw him lead the league with 1,713 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground in 1992 plus an NFL title — good enough for third in the Most Valuable Player vote — Smith had difficulties seeing eye-to-eye with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on a new contract. Additionally, he had a month to pursue other offers but none materialized.

Then, one of the best to ever put on a helmet took matters into his own hands.

“I picked up the phone and called Don Shula myself and told him I wanted to come to Miami and play for Miami,” Smith said. “Because I knew Dan Marino didn’t have a running game.”

“I want to help you and help Dan get a championship,” Smith offered to Shula. “I said, ‘Bring me back to the state of Florida.’ He said, ‘Well, I don’t know if I could make that offer.’ He said, ‘If I do make this offer and you don’t come, all my other players will see what I put on the table for you and it’s going to mess up my chemistry.’ ”

Smith’s response was he wanted Shula to “just put something on the table” that would make Cowboys owner Jerry Jones say, “I cannot match it.”

Still, Smith said, Shula wouldn’t budge: “I can’t do that.”

Smith was incredulous.

“I said to myself, ‘Really?’ ”

The rest, as they say, is history. Dan Marino and the Dolphins never got their ring while Smith went on to earn both the regular-season and Super Bowl MVP awards the next season, adding two more Lombardi Trophies to the Cowboys’ cabinet during his tenure. Marino only had a single 1,000-yard running back behind him in all his years in Miami — Karim Abdul-Jabbar, who had 1,116 yards in 1996.

Over his 15-year NFL career, Smith amassed NFL records with 18,355 yards rushing along with 164 touchdowns (19 in the postseason). He was the AP Rookie of the Year in 1990 and finished third in the MVP vote twice in addition to his 1993 award.

Makes one wonder what would have happened if Shula had obliged.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1368]

[mm-video type=video id=01gse5agk1vyyxhvp4h1 playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gse5agk1vyyxhvp4h1/01gse5agk1vyyxhvp4h1-2c138d7bb2195f064f6a8b073f8e58c5.jpg]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Emmitt Smith nearly left Cowboys after first Super Bowl to play for Dolphins

For years, the popular narrative has been that Smith held out to start the 1993 season; the all-time rushing king set the record straight. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Emmitt Smith is a three-time Super Bowl champ, a six-time All-Pro, and an eight-time Pro Bowler. He led the league in rushing four different seasons, led in rushing touchdowns three times, was Offensive Rookie of the Year, was a Super Bowl MVP, and is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And he owns the most consequential record in the sport as the NFL’s all-time rushing king.

Smith is one of the most decorated players in Cowboys history… yet he very nearly achieved many of those career milestones wearing a Miami Dolphins uniform.

Smith, now 53, sat down with Channing Crowder, Ryan Clark, and Fred Taylor on a recent episode of The Pivot Podcast. And as he set the story straight about his infamous two-game absence to start the 1993 season, he also revealed how close he came to leaving Dallas after just his third season as a pro.

The Cowboys had just won Super Bowl XXVII, convincingly beating the Buffalo Bills 52-17, to complete a remarkable turnaround: from the worst team in football to world champions in four years.

Smith had been a key component. The first-round draft pick out of Florida won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 1990, and then led the league in rushing in 1991. He led the NFL in rushing yards as well as rushing touchdowns the next year, en route to the Cowboys hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in Pasadena.

But when 1993’s training camp rolled around, Smith was nowhere to be found. And the defending Super Bowl champs started the regular season with a fourth-round rookie named Derrick Lassic in the backfield.

The popularly-held version of the story is that Smith was holding out for a bigger paycheck from the Dallas front office, but Smith was quick to clarify what really happened.

“I didn’t hold out,” Smith corrected. “Holding out is when you have a contract, and you want more money. My contract was over. I had fulfilled my obligations.”

Smith went on to explain how his original four-year rookie contract had reverted to a three-year deal in his very first season. When the three years expired with that Super Bowl rout, Smith says he became a restricted free agent. As such, any other team could have made him an offer that the Cowboys would have had the opportunity to match.

Shockingly, the rushing champ for two years running says he didn’t receive a single offer.

“I get into restricted free agency,” he recalled, “I’ve got 30 days to negotiate with 20-some-odd teams to come play with them. And not one gave me an offer.”

So, Smith says, he took matters into his own hands.

“I picked up the phone and called Don Shula myself and told him I wanted to come to Miami and play for Miami. Because I knew Dan Marino didn’t have a running game. And I said, ‘I want to come help you, help Dan, whatever, get a championship. Bring me back to the state of Florida.’ He said, ‘Well, I don’t know if I can make that offer, because if I do make this offer and you don’t come, all my other players will see what I put on the table for you, and it’s going to mess up my chemistry.’ I said, ‘Just put something on the table that Jerry [Jones] says, “I cannot match it.”‘ He said, ‘I can’t do that.'”

Smith shared how he watched the Cowboys’ first two games of the 1993 season with his parents in Pensacola.

“It was killing me at home,” he said.

After starting the season 0-2 with losses to Washington and Buffalo, it was obvious to the Cowboys that they needed Smith back on the payroll.

“And then my phone started ringing,” he laughed.

Smith was on a plane shortly thereafter, and then at the bargaining table with the Joneses. Dallas gave Smith a new contract that made him the highest-paid running back in the NFL at the time.

But the narrative that has persisted for all these years, Smith says, instead paints him as the bad guy.

“That’s how the media twists it,” he continued. “The media twisted it as if I was holding out, and people think that I held out. No, I was negotiating. It’s a different term than ‘holdout.’ ‘Holdout’ seems like I withheld myself and my services that were already obligated. But I had fulfilled my deal. I didn’t have no more to do, except for get a new contract.”

Smith was back in the lineup for Week 3. The Cowboys won their next seven games and eventually finished the year 12-4. Smith still ended the season with 1,486 rushing yards to lead the league for a third consecutive year. The regular-season finale against New York saw Smith famously dislocate his shoulder but play on to help Dallas win the division. The Cowboys went on to win Super Bowl XXVIII; Smith was named the Super Bowl MVP and the league MVP.

Smith would play another nine years as a Cowboy, one of the most beloved and accomplished of them all.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[mm-video type=video id=01gs6p66kwssyz6pdsrz playlist_id=01eqbwens7sctqdrqg player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gs6p66kwssyz6pdsrz/01gs6p66kwssyz6pdsrz-c6789f34cf01a330d5d2ba2d4f125c75.jpg]

Emmitt Smith: Giants would be ‘foolish’ to let Saquon Barkley walk

Emmitt Smith says the New York Giants would be “foolish” to let RB Saquon Barkley leave via free agency and that it’d set them back.

Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s all-time rushing yards leader, has a strong opinion when it comes to the New York Giants and Saquon Barkley.

“If they don’t bring him back, shame on them,” Smith, the three-time Super Bowl champ, told the New York Daily News.

“Daniel Jones cannot be Daniel Jones without Saquon. And that team cannot be what it is without Saquon doing what he did this year. What you saw is a guy that’s healthy can do a lot of great things. It would be foolish of the Giants to let Saquon go.”

The Giants are in jeopardy of losing both Barkley and Jones in free agency next month unless they can figure out how to retain them without crushing whatever salary cap space they have this offseason.

Smith also had some interesting things to say when it came to the diminishing importance of ‘bell cow’ running backs, stating that the league is doing so to favor passing games and cater to fantasy football and other fan interest ventures.

“It’s by design. It’s a marketing ploy behind it to convince everybody that that position is not as valuable as it should be, or as it once used to be,” said Smith, who is in Arizona for the Super Bowl. “I think it’s a shame they’re reducing the value [of running backs] and pushing it out to the wide receivers and the cornerbacks and the quarterbacks. And this is all about fantasy football and the points that you’re gaining in fantasy football. Period.”

Smith is right. The league has forged business relationships with many of the gambling and fantasy sites over the past few years and as a result, the game is more popular than ever. More scoring is better for business.

[lawrence-related id=706339,706337,706333]

[mm-video type=video id=01gryys2c0k5r9h9mq4b playlist_id=none player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gryys2c0k5r9h9mq4b/01gryys2c0k5r9h9mq4b-10615c04ef3e88aa134e331b7c7f2600.jpg]

Emmitt Smith on “Zeke vs Pollard” debate

USA TODAY Sports interview Cowboys legendary running back Emmitt Smith.

What are Dallas’ plans at running back? Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith has a lot of thoughts on that.

Smith is the NFL’s record holder for most career rushing yards.

His 18,355 yards, all but 1193 of those coming as a member of the Cowboys, amounts to 10 and a half miles. And those were all hard-earned, against an era of ferocious NFC East defenders like LT and Reggie White.

The Cowboys current back field has a few question marks, and the three-time Super Bowl champion provided his thoughts on what route he thinks the organization should take with the group.

Smith told USA TODAY Sports’ Mackenzie Salmon, “Well, (Tony) Pollard did break his leg. So, I got to keep Zeke right now; I have no other option. And you got to make sure Malik Davis is ready to go.”

Catch Mackenzie’s entire interview with the legendary Cowboy above.

Scottie Scheffler dishes on playing with Emmitt Smith, possibly returning to No. 1 at 2023 WM Phoenix Open and his Masters Champions Dinner menu

How close is Scheffler to revealing his Masters Champions Dinner menu?

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A year ago, Scottie Scheffler was at or near the top of the list of the best PGA Tour golfers to have never won.

A thrilling playoff win over Patrick Cantlay at TPC Scottsdale in 2022 finally got Scheffler on the board but it was just the beginning.

Scheffler went to win three more times, culminating in the Masters, which elevated him to the No. 1 spot in the Official World Golf Ranking.

He returns to defend his maiden Tour win at the WM Phoenix Open but seems pretty much like the same guy.

“I don’t really feel much different than I did sitting here last year,” he said Wednesday. “As far as playing, I’m just always trying to get a little bit better, and the golf stuff for me doesn’t change too much. I’m just showing up and trying to do my best.”

Scheffler, whose family moved to Dallas when he was 8, grew up a fan of that team with the star on its helmet.

“I typically will never miss a Cowboys game,” he said, acknowledging that if he’s in contention on a given Sunday he isn’t watching. He also talked about playing his Wednesday pro-am round with a Cowboys legend.

2023 WM Phoenix Open
Scottie Scheffler and Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith walk down the 18th hole during the Annexus Pro-Am ahead of the 2023 WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic)

“I got to play with Emmitt Smith today, which was a lot of fun, and I’d never met him before, so that was really cool, just kind of pick his brain on some stuff. … just little random stuff. You can tell he’s still very, very competitive. When he comes out here to play golf, he’s trying to learn, he’s trying to do his best on every shot. It’s kind of fun just getting a little peek into his mind.”

Scheffler was No. 1 for 29 weeks in 2022 and is currently No. 2. He has a chance this week to return to the top spot.

“I like being No. 1 in the world. I don’t like being No. 2. It’s just kind of one of those funny things. Right now I’m ranked No. 2, but I would say I’m not playing the second best golf in the world. I think Rory [McIlroy] and Jon [Rahm] are pretty much neck-and-neck for playing the best golf in the world right now,” he said. “But I don’t like being No. 2. I’d rather be No. 1.”

Scheffler earned $1,476,000 a year ago. Now that the WMPO is a designated event with a $20 million purse, capturing a repeat would put $3,600,000 in his bank account. That would also mean Scheffler beat a stout field.

He’ll be aiming to defend his Masters title in two months and with the clock ticking, he was asked if has settled on the menu yet for the Masters dinner

“Not quite. We’ve got some ideas. I’m excited about it. Hopefully the guys will like it, too. I’m a little bit weird about my food. I don’t really branch out too much. We’ll see what they think.”

[afflinkbutton text=”Book your trip to TPC Scottsdale today” link=”https://www.golfbreaks.com/en-us/vacations/scottsdale/tpc-scottsdale/the-stadium-course/?cid=999740052&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=golfweek&utm_campaign=pgat_tournament_courses_q3_22_gw”]

[vertical-gallery id=778022725]

We occasionally recommend interesting products, services, and gaming opportunities. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Golfweek operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01es6rjnsp3c84zkm6 player_id=01evcfxp4q8949fs1e image=]

Emmitt Smith visits ex-Giants RB Peyton Hillis in hospital

Pro Football Hall of Famer, Emmitt Smith, stopped by to visit retired New York Giants RB Peyton Hillis in the hospital this week.

Retired New York Giants running back Peyton Hillis remains hospitalized after suffering lung and kidney injuries while saving his children from drowning back on January 4.

Hillis leaped into the waters off the Florida coast when the kids were caught in a riptide. They were saved but Hillis required immediate attention from on-scene lifeguards and was quickly airlifted to a local hospital.

This past Thursday, the recovering Hillis got a visit from retired Dallas Cowboys running back and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Emmitt Smith.

“Stay strong, Peyton,” Smith said, via TMZ Sports. “Praying for you, your family and wishing you a speedy recovery.”

Smith also called Hillis a “recovering hero.”

Although he failed to provide an exact update on Hillis’ health and recovery, Smith did seem optimistic about the 37-year-old’s current status.

The former Madden cover athlete played for the Giants in 2013 and 2014.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbx61yex5whq8aq player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

[lawrence-related id=704750,704366]

[vertical-gallery id=663678]

UF legend Emmitt Smith urges Gator Nation to be patient with Billy Napier

After a lackluster first year in the Swamp under Billy Napier, Gators legend Emmitt Smith is asking Gator Nation to trust the process.

Florida Gators legend [autotag]Emmitt Smith[/autotag] appeared on SiriusXM’s SEC Radio recently and preached patience to his alma mater’s fan base after a difficult first year under head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag].

Smith knows it takes a while to make real change at the college level and asked Gator Nation to give Napier time to get his guys on the field. Napier worked hard to establish a culture during Year 1 of his time at Florida, going as far as dismissing starting players if there were behind-the-scenes issues. Smith wants to see what a full Billy Napier team is capable of in the Swamp.

“First and foremost, he has to bring in a top-notch recruiting class and has to convince parents that the University of Florida is the right university for their kid. If he can do that and then allow that to translate onto the football field in terms of execution. That means having a quality quarterback, a disciplined organization, young men that are willing to pour into the university and pour into the system and buy into the system that Billy is bringing to the table that can translate to wins on the football field and a competitive spirit on the football field, then we’ll see where things are …”

“… This is his first offseason truly having a full year to bring — to put his staff in place, to have the recruiting coordinators, the talent pool that he has to go out and pick from. Now, he’s competing against Florida State, who had a great year, he’s competing against Miami and he’s competing against Central Florida and Florida Atlantic. The University of Florida has — the field of competition has grown and the talent pool has dwindled because the field has grown in the state of Florida. Then when you tack on what the University of Alabama and Georgia doing what they’re doing, it’s going to be tough.

“So, we have to be patient with Billy and his staff and give them some runway to actually go out and do what we expect him to do and grow the organization the way it needs to be grown.”

Napier proved himself early with a win over Utah to start the year, but he’ll have to lead his team to a repeat win on the road next season to keep pace. There’s been a lot of movement on the roster during the offseason this year, and it’s no coincidence that most of the guys leaving were not brought in by Napier’s staff.

Smith’s plea might go unheard by most fans, but it’s the right approach to any coaching situation similar to Napier’s. He walked into a situation that was worse than he believed when he signed and hasn’t complained while he fixes it. The fans need to give him time, but he’ll have to get the Gators above .500 in Year 2 to keep off the hot seat in 2024.

[mm-video type=video id=01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg/01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg-c640babe687004c896ec7a3af514c1b9.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=99540,99528,99517,99499,99477]

[listicle id=24191]

[listicle id=99503]

[listicle id=99400]

[listicle id=99465]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Jackson Arnold wins Gatorade National Player of the Year Award

Putting the finishing touches on an incredible senior season, Denton Guyer quarterback and Oklahoma Sooners signee, Jackson Arnold was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year. Arnold, in his second season, starting at Guyer, combined for …

Putting the finishing touches on an incredible senior season, Denton Guyer quarterback and Oklahoma Sooners signee, Jackson Arnold was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year.

Arnold, in his second season, starting at Guyer, combined for 4,400 total yards and 57 total touchdowns, helping his team get to the semifinals of the Class 6A Texas state playoffs. One of the best quarterbacks in the country, Jackson Arnold earned five-star status with a tremendous performance at the Elite 11 camp, winning MVP for the week’s performance.

Jackson Arnold was joined as a finalist by former OU commit and USC signee Malachi Nelson and Texas signee Arch Manning.

Former winners of the award include Kyler Murray, Peyton Manning, and Emmitt Smith. During Denton Guyer’s signing ceremony, Arnold was awarded the trophy by former Dallas Cowboys great Jason Witten

Credit: Lauren Coffman

The Gatorade Player of the Year award recognizes athletes not just for their excellence on the playing surface, but for their commitment in the classroom and impact in their community. Being a Gatorade Player of the Year means paying it forward for the next generation. As part of Gatorade’s Play it Forward initiative, every Player of the Year receives a grant to give to one of Gatorade’s social impact partners, supporting Gatorade’s ambition to fuel the future of the sport. 

Arnold has served as a classroom aide to a math teacher as a senior, and for the past three and a half years, he has been a member and officer in the Texas Young Men’s Service League, Lantana Chapter, which offers opportunities for mothers and sons to perform community service and philanthropic work. He maintained a weighted 4.5 GPA during his time at Guyer.

Jackson Arnold was a key 2023 commitment early in Brent Venables tenure. Though Joshua Bates was the committed before Venables arrived in Norman, Arnold was the first commitment for the Sooners’ new head coach.

That early commitment set the stage for what became a top-five class in the 2023 cycle.

This week, Jackson Arnold and several other 2023 signees will make a move to Norman as early enrollees to begin their collegiate careers and prepare for the 2023 season.

After earning five-star status, Jackson Arnold is one of the more highly-anticipated arrivals to Norman. Though he’ll likely be behind Dillon Gabriel in 2023, the future is bright for the future starting quarterback of the Oklahoma Sooners.

[listicle id=77461]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz7cqqgxy50qwt player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

Two Florida players named to the Freshman All-SEC team

Trevor Etienne and Shemar James have been named to the Freshman All-SEC team after their standout 2022 seasons.

Two breakthrough first-year players have been named to the Freshman All-SEC team for the 2022 season. Running back [autotag]Trevor Etienne[/autotag] and linebacker [autotag]Shemar James[/autotag] are being recognized just two days after being Honorable Mentions on the College Football News Freshman All-American team.

Trevor Etienne took the reigns as the Gators’ primary running back option later on in the season after splitting duties with [autotag]Montrell Johnson Jr[/autotag]. for most of the season. Paired with [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag]’s rushing ability, that three-headed monster was the backbone of Florida’s offense.

Etienne recorded 704 rushing yards this season, with 129 of those yards coming in a career-high performance against Florida State. He became the fourth true freshman in Florida football history to rush for at least 700 yards, joining [autotag]Emmitt Smith[/autotag], Tony Green and [autotag]Fred Taylor[/autotag].

Shemar James played in all twelve games for the Gators with three starts. He recorded 40 tackles this season, good for the second-most among true freshman SEC linebackers and sixth-most for the Gators. James’ best game came against Eastern Washington, where he recorded a career-high eight tackles. He was one of Billy Napier’s best-recruiting wins in his transition class, as the former five-star was considered the No. 3 prospect in Alabama and the No. 6 linebacker nationally, per 247Sports.

Top players like Richardson, [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] and [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag] have declared for the NFL draft and will not be playing against the Oregon State Beavers in the Las Vegas Bowl. Because of that and the over a dozen players that have entered the transfer portal, Etienne and James will play a big role on Dec. 17 starting at 2:30 p.m. EST and broadcast on ESPN.

[mm-video type=video id=01gkw31z4jxv6xpc3h4p playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gkw31z4jxv6xpc3h4p/01gkw31z4jxv6xpc3h4p-4bbee38146f76172b045f5ac095d1231.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=97717,97711,97706,97677,97657]

[listicle id=97666]

[listicle id=97685]

[listicle id=97562]

[listicle id=97500]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

The 10 best Cyber Monday deals for the Florida Gators fan in your life

The best holiday gift ideas for any Florida Gators fan in your life.

Happy holidays, Florida fans!

Football season is coming down the home stretch, basketball season has started, and for NCAA fans it’s the most wonderful time of the year.

It’s been an up-and-down football season for Florida, but Gators Wire is giving you a reason to celebrate this holiday season.

Whether you’re an alumni, a current “Gainesvillain”, or just really love to reminisce about the days of Tim Tebow, Emmitt Smith and Joakim Noah, we’ve got you covered with our list of best Gators gifts for the holiday season.

Fanatics is offering 30% off all orders on Cyber Monday, so take at least 30% off the prices in the list below and get the perfect gift for the Florida fan in your life.

If you need another gift for the sports fan in your life, consider a USA Today Subscription which includes Sports +, exclusive access to our Sports + app and the best content from across the entire USA Today Sports network.

[afflinkbutton text=”Gift a USA Today Sports Subscription” link=”https://checkout.usatoday.com/usatoday_PurchaseGift?marketCode=USAT&PID=7417&discount_module=true&gps-source=CPGIFTGUIDE&utm_campaign=2022GIFTGUIDE&utm_medium=onsite&utm_source=giftguide”]