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, predominantly with the Dallas Cowboys. His most significant achievement is being the NFL's all-time leading rusher, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest running backs in football history.

Sections (4)

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

1986: High School Player of the Year

In 1986, Emmitt Smith was named the national high school player of the year by multiple publications and organizations, including USA Today, Parade Magazine, and Gatorade.

1987: Started Playing for Florida Gators

In the fall of 1987, Emmitt Smith played for the Florida Gators, and gained 109 yards on just ten carries in a second-week rout of Tulsa, including a 66-yard touchdown run.

1988: 96-Yard Rushing Play vs. Mississippi State

In 1988, Emmitt Smith had a 96-yard rushing play against Mississippi State, which set a Florida Gators record for the longest rushing play.

1988: Injury during 1988 Season

In 1988, Emmitt Smith was sidelined with a sprained knee during a contest against Memphis State in mid-October, which led to an upset loss for the Florida Gators.

October 1989: 316 Rushing Yards vs. New Mexico

In October 1989, Emmitt Smith rushed for 316 yards against New Mexico, setting a Florida Gators record for rushing yards in a single game.

1989: College Football at Florida Gators

In 1989, Emmitt Smith finished the campaign with Florida records for rushing yards in a season (1,599), rushing yards in a single game (316 versus New Mexico in October 1989), longest rushing play (96 yards against Mississippi State in 1988), career rushing yards (3,928), career rushing yards per game (126.7), and career rushing touchdowns (36).

1989: All-SEC and All-American Honors

In 1989, Emmitt Smith was named a first-team All-SEC selection for the third year and SEC Player of the Year, was a unanimous first-team All-American, and finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy balloting.

1989: All-American Selection and Decision to Turn Pro

In 1989, after being named a unanimous All-American for the Florida Gators, Emmitt Smith decided to forgo his senior year of college eligibility and enter the NFL to play professionally.

January 1, 1990: Steve Spurrier Introduced as Head Coach

On January 1, 1990, Steve Spurrier was introduced as the Gators' new head coach.

1990: Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys

In 1990, Emmitt Smith was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys. He started 15 games, rushed for 937 yards and 11 touchdowns, was 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: Super Bowl and Rushing Title

In 1992, Emmitt Smith led the league in rushing and won the Super Bowl in the same year. It was the first time that had been achieved.

1992: Rushing Title and Super Bowl Win

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: NFL MVP and Super Bowl XXVIII MVP

In 1993, Emmitt Smith had 1,486 rushing yards, 9 touchdowns, and helped the Cowboys win the Super Bowl. He also received the league MVP and the Super Bowl XXVIII MVP award.

1993: Super Bowl, MVP, and Rushing Crown

In 1993, Emmitt Smith won 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. In 1993, he became the only running back to achieve this feat.

1994: Led League in Rushing Touchdowns

In the 1994 season, Emmitt Smith led the league with 21 rushing touchdowns and was named The Sporting News Athlete of the Year, despite battling a hamstring pull late in the season.

1995: Consecutive 1,400+ Rushing Yard Seasons and TD 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.

1995: Super Bowl and Rushing Title

In 1995, Emmitt Smith led the league in rushing and won the Super Bowl in the same year.

1995: Seasons with Touchdowns

In 1995, Emmitt Smith set the record for most games in a season with a touchdown and most games in a season with a rushing touchdown (15).

1996: 100th Career Touchdown and 10,000 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: Cowboys' All-Time Leading Rusher and NFL's All-Time Rushing Touchdown Leader

In 1998, Emmitt Smith became the Cowboys' all-time leading rusher (passing Dorsett) and the NFL's all-time rushing touchdown leader (surpassing Marcus Allen).

2001: 11 Consecutive 1,000 Yard Seasons

In 2001, with 1,021 rushing yards, 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 NFL Rushing Record

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

2002: Broke NFL Rushing Record

In 2002, Emmitt Smith broke the NFL rushing record previously held by Walter Payton against the Seattle Seahawks, finishing the season with 17,162 career yards.

February 26, 2003: Released by the Cowboys

On February 26, 2003, after the 2002 season, the Cowboys hired head coach Bill Parcells who wanted to go with younger running backs and released Emmitt Smith.

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: First Touchdown Pass

In 2004, Emmitt Smith threw his first touchdown pass on a halfback option play against the New Orleans Saints, a 21-yard strike, making him the oldest player in NFL history to achieve this. It was the only passing attempt of his career.