Career Timeline of Emmitt Smith: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Emmitt Smith, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Emmitt Smith is a former American professional football running back, renowned for his 15 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys. He holds the distinction of being the NFL's all-time leading rusher, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest running backs in football history.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1989: Named All-American

In 1989, Emmitt Smith was named a unanimous All-American. He then chose to forgo his senior year of college to play professionally.

January 1, 1990: Steve Spurrier Introduced as New Gators Coach

On January 1, 1990, Steve Spurrier was introduced as the Gators' new head coach. Emmitt Smith, concerned about his potential role in Spurrier's reportedly pass-first offense, decided to forgo his senior year at Florida and enter the NFL draft.

1990: Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys

In 1990, Emmitt Smith was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the NFL draft, with the 17th overall pick.

1990: Selected by the Cowboys in the NFL Draft

In 1990, the Dallas Cowboys selected Emmitt Smith in the first round of the NFL draft, trading up to the 17th pick. He was later named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and received Pro Bowl honors.

1991: First Rushing Title

In 1991, Emmitt Smith had 1,563 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He also clinched the first of four rushing titles, after tallying 160 yards against the Atlanta Falcons in the season finale.

1992: Led the League in Rushing and Won the Super Bowl

In 1992, Emmitt Smith led the league in rushing and won the Super Bowl. This was the first time this had ever been done.

1992: Set Cowboys Record and Won Rushing Title

In 1992, Emmitt Smith set the Cowboys' single-season franchise record and won the rushing title with 1,713 yards. He also became the first player to win the league's rushing title and the Super Bowl in the same season.

1993: Won Super Bowl, MVP Award, Rushing Crown and Super Bowl MVP

In 1993, Emmitt Smith became 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: Became Highest Paid Running Back

In 1993, after missing training camp and the first two games, Emmitt Smith became the highest paid running back in the league.

1994: Led League in Rushing Touchdowns

In 1994, Emmitt Smith led the league with 21 rushing touchdowns, a new career-high, despite battling a hamstring pull late in the season. However, the Cowboys lost the NFC Championship Game to the San Francisco 49ers.

1995: Broke Franchise Rushing Records

In 1995, Emmitt Smith became the first player in league history to rush for 1,400 rushing yards or more in five consecutive seasons and set the NFL record with 25 rushing touchdowns. Smith also broke two of Tony Dorsett's Dallas franchise rushing records

1995: Led the League in Rushing and Won the Super Bowl

In 1995, Emmitt Smith led the league in rushing and won the Super Bowl for the third time.

1996: Reached 10,000 Career Rushing Yards

In 1996, Emmitt Smith scored his 100th career rushing touchdown and surpassed 10,000 career rushing yards, becoming just the twelfth player in league history and the youngest one to reach this milestone.

1998: Became Cowboys All-Time Leading Rusher

In 1998, Emmitt Smith became the Cowboys' all-time leading rusher and the NFL's all-time rushing touchdown leader.

2001: First Player with 11 Consecutive 1,000 Yard Seasons

In 2001, Emmitt Smith became the first player in NFL history with 11 consecutive 1,000 yard seasons and the first to post eleven 1,000-yard rushing seasons in a career.

October 27, 2002: Broke Career Rushing Yards Record

On October 27, 2002, Emmitt Smith broke the NFL record in career rushing yards with 18,355, breaking the previous record held by Walter Payton, against the Seattle Seahawks.

2002: Founded the Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities

In 2002, Emmitt Smith and his wife founded the Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, a nonprofit organization with the mission to provide children with the resources necessary to reach their full potential.

2002: Broke NFL Rushing Record

In 2002, Emmitt Smith broke the NFL rushing record previously held by Walter Payton. In the same game, Smith ran for a touchdown that gave him 150 career rushing touchdowns.

February 26, 2003: Released by Cowboys

On February 26, 2003, after the 2002 season, the Cowboys released Emmitt Smith after hiring Bill Parcells as head coach.

March 26, 2003: Signed with Arizona Cardinals

On March 26, 2003, Emmitt Smith signed a two-year contract as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals.

2004: Threw First Touchdown Pass

In 2004, Emmitt Smith became the oldest player in NFL history to throw his first touchdown pass, throwing a 21-yard touchdown strike on a halfback option play against the New Orleans Saints in week 4, the only passing attempt of his career.

February 3, 2005: Announced Retirement from the NFL

On February 3, 2005, three days before Super Bowl XXXIX, Emmitt Smith announced his retirement from the NFL. He signed a one-day contract for one dollar with the Dallas Cowboys, after which he immediately retired with the team he had played with for most of his career.

September 2005: Joined NFL Total Access as a studio analyst

In September 2005, Emmitt Smith became a studio analyst on the NFL Network show, NFL Total Access.

September 19, 2005: Inducted into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor

On September 19, 2005, during halftime of the Cowboys-Redskins game, Emmitt Smith was inducted into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor alongside teammates Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin.

2005: Formed Smith/Cypress Partners LP

In 2005, Emmitt Smith partnered with Roger Staubach to form Smith/Cypress Partners LP, a real estate development enterprise.

2006: Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame

In 2006, Emmitt Smith was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

2006: Smith/Cypress Transactions Totaled $26 Billion

In 2006, Smith/Cypress, a privately held firm, had transactions totaling $26 billion and 835 million square feet of space.

March 12, 2007: Joined ESPN as a studio analyst

On March 12, 2007, Emmitt Smith joined ESPN as a studio analyst for their NFL pre-game coverage.

2008: Moved to SportsCenter

In 2008, Emmitt Smith was removed from ESPN's NFL pre-game coverage and instead appeared on SportsCenter during the NFL season.

2009: ESPN contract not renewed

In 2009, Emmitt Smith's contract with ESPN was not renewed.

2014: Records Broken by DeMarco Murray

In 2014, DeMarco Murray rushed for 100+ yards in each of his first eight games and accumulated 1,845 rushing yards over the course of the season breaking records that Emmitt Smith had held.