Emmitt Smith: 90s Cowboys & Making NFL History | Undeniable with Joe Buck

NFL rushing king Emmitt Smith opens up about his storied career from Pensacola beginnings to NFL glory. Emmitt sheds light on the defining moments that propelled him to become the NFL's all-time leading rusher. His resilience, dreams, and sheer determination led him to 8 Pro Bowls, a League MVP title, and 3 Super Bowl victories.
CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Emmitt Smith Introduction
2:40 - Emmitt Smith Early Life
8:26 - Emmitt Smith Football Passion
12:02 - High School Football Journey
18:16 - Choosing University of Florida
21:00 - Florida Gators College Career
23:33 - NFL Draft Experience
25:20 - Setting Football Goals
27:32 - NFL Leading Rusher Milestone
31:02 - NFL Rushing Title Achievement
33:13 - Cowboys vs. 49ers Rivalry
34:07 - Super Bowl XXV Highlights
38:00 - NFL Contract Negotiations
40:47 - Overcoming Injuries
42:20 - NFC Championship Highlights
42:57 - Super Bowl XXVII Recap
44:30 - Cowboys Dynasty What-ifs
48:42 - NFL Rushing Record Discussion
52:50 - Emmitt Smith Hypotheticals
55:38 - Reflecting with Emmitt Smith
56:23 - Interview Conclusion
#Undeniable #NFL #Cowboys

[@emantabrizi8218]

If you truly love the sport of football... you have to respect what Emmitt Smith accomplished. Fifteen seasons as a starting RB in the NFL is no joke!

[@deebo1103]

He is the man. People will always say how much better Barry was, but I will always keep 22, he was the back of the 90s.

[@jon5045]

Emmitt was my 1st sports HERO.. At age 50 now, He still is my HERO! There is no 2ed!

[@redleader3394]

Emmitts 50!!!????? He looks pretty good.

[@SuperPuffProductions]

@@redleader3394 He'll be 55 on May 15th.

[@redleader3394]

@@SuperPuffProductions good to know thanks!

[@BrianWaller-qe7gr]

Same it was his heart and drive that made him my hero growing up

[@anthonyevans4909]

Same here

[@ronaldzent6321]

A touching moment I believe is when during Emmitt Smiths HOF induction speech, he choked up with emotion while referring to Darryl "Moose" Johnston blocking for him apparently many times, noting all the physical sacrifices he made doing so, those 90's Cowboy teams were probably some of the best ever. A great humble guy and a tremendous role model for anyone aspiring to achieve anything in the world of sports, regardles if which one it is

[@yengyang1939]

My family and I had a chance to meet Emmitt Smith at an autograph show in Chicago in 2022. He took a picture with us and also signed us an autograph. I will never forget it. Much respect to him.

[@markmoses7300]

Got to remember Charles Haley showed up had the #1 defence for 92 n 93

[@markmoses7300]

Had the greatest niner defender Charles Haley

[@clifftanton8385]

Class act what a legendary man❤ miss seeing him play

[@hfontanez98]

I was on the game when Emmitt broke the all-time rushing record. It took a lot of calculation (and some luck) to buy tickets ahead of time to be there. The energy in Texas Stadium was out of this world.

[@derekwatts3734]

Growing up watching the Cowboys in the 90s, Emmitt was my favorite player. He's the reason I became a Florida Gator fan. I just had my first son at 32 years old, and I named him Emmitt. Sports runs deep!

[@puppethound]

My Pensacola Home town hero. I used to watch him play when I was in middle school and he was a big star at Escambia High School. I lived about 3-4 blocks away and would walk to the home games. I am not a Gator fan, nor am I a Dallas fan, but my Vikings gave the Cowboys the opportunity to draft Emmitt in 1990 (Herschel Walker Trade) and for that I am happy. While Emmitt and his family were always respected around the city, Mom and Dad still worked at "normal jobs" while their son was tearing up the NFL. I am proud of Pensacola's hometown heroes (including Derrick Brooks and Roy Jones Jr. even Roman Reigns WWE wrestler and many more) from such an average size town, we have our share of super stars.

[@joedapro7236]

50 year Big D Cowboy fan here. One thing unmistakable about Emmitt is, he not only a great football player, a NFL Hall of Famer, but more important, is that he is a great person! I got misty eyed several times in this interview! best to you Emmitt moving forward what ever you do! This nation needs more like him in all walks of life!

[@havenandrist7425]

Emmitt had a sports card and memorabelia store in Pensacola that his folks ran .... When I was a kid , my folks traveled and did trade shows nationwide , everytime I was with them and we were down there , I made them stop in ... His dad was an awesome man , and they always teased me about being a Packer fan ... Great family and great people ..... Just like Emmitt ....

[@np1000]

Wow that part with Walter is crazy.

[@KennethMiller-xk9gy]

I love Emmitt he is one of the greats. He is definitely in my opinion the pound for pound the toughest running back ever. pure heart and sole. I've always been a Cowboy fan T. Dorsett and sweetness. were my idols growing up. Emmitt put the youth back in me again watching him play. I will never forget that Giants game when he got hurt, and kept going. Simply the best.

[@YouthIncSports]

Couldn't agree more

[@sflora951]

Emmitt was my childhood hero. What a pleasure it was to watch him play as i was starting to get into football. Class personified!

[@KeystoneTexan]

Emmitt and Elway Were my childhood heroes. I wore number 22 starting in the eighth grade until my junior year in high school. I played tailback and always wanted to be like Emmitt Smith.

[@DoubleStar92]

Some truly good comments in here. Respect to those who praise Emmitt! 👏 as he is deserving of it!

[@user-xx5ib5ci1c]

Cowboy fan since 1977 this is truely one of the greatest Cowboy players of all times loved Emmitt desire to win and compete!!

[@tr_vmi4844]

Damn it Emmitt.....make me tear up talking about you and Walter! I'm a Bears fan, and love the way you played the game. If anyone broke Walter's record, I'm glad it was you (and I'm NOT a Cowboys fan....just an Emmitt fan. ;) )

[@godsdozer]

I think I can speak for all cowboys, we were Walters fans too!

[@seekingwisdom8]

Haters don't understand the loyalty of Cowboy fans. I had goose bumps when Emmett said he watched the Cowboys as a child. I didn't know anything about football when the Cowboys joined the league, but I became a fan because I was captivated by the star. I wasn't quite 7 then, but I've been a life-long fan at age 67. No other team will ever come close to their success, past, present, or future. God bless you, Emmett Smith

[@chadc1017]

Forever the Goat of Rushing!!!

[@YouthIncSports]

YES!

[@DanRustle]

Incredible. I used to watch him as a kid with my family, all hardcore cowboys fans, growing up. He is a legend and an inspiration to us all

[@q.lam64]

Much R.E.S.P.E.C.T. for Emmitt as a Football player but most of all a Man of Faith

[@davidangeron3365]

My Enemy!!! Yup!!! As a 49er, I hated You but so deeply respect you!!! Yup!!! You are a VERIFIED Great!!! You do not need any narrative!!! RESPECT!!!

[@jimgregory6185]

Emmet was a warrior. So impressive.

[@gus2600]

Emmitt one of the best offensive line , some say the best, in the history of the game !

[@Steven91637]

What a great and humble Man Emmitt is ❤🎉😊

[@YouthIncSports]

He's the man!

[@SithDukaa]

My all time favorite Cowboy player.

[@DanAbrigg1964]

Emmitt. Class act. True HOFer. One of the All-time Great RBs/Players in the NFL. Great stuff.

[@deanmartin1071]

He is one fine person. I am very proud of him and all he has accomplished. I also was a cowboy fan from childhood.

[@redmustangredmustang]

Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, and Jim Brown are the sexy choices, but people forget that Emmitt is the ALL TIME LEADING rusher in the PLAYOFFS AND CAREER. In today's day and age, no one is touching his all time career rushing record. He has the most RUSHING touchdowns all time and tied for the most with Thurman Thomas in the playoffs. He has 20,000 all purpose yards and the other only players to accomplish it are Walter Payton, Jerry Rice, Emmitt, and Brian Mitchell. He is the ONLY running back to have 11 straight 1,000 yard seasons. He is the ONLY RUNNER to win the triple crown for running backs. Rushing title, NFL MVP, and Super Bowl MVP in 1993. He is only two runners to win the rushing title and the Super Bowl along with Terrell Davis. Again Emmitt wasn't sexy, he just got it done.

[@YouthIncSports]

Yes, he's one of the best to do it!

[@anthonys3631]

Had Barry Sanders had a decent team around him in Detroit a lot of the records including most yards would be his so you can put an asterik beside a lot of Emmitt's records. Had Barry not retired early due to the Lions negligence he'd have a lot of the records.

[@fairlanemuscle]

@@anthonys3631 nonsense. Barry had 3 all pro linemen, an 3x all pro wide receiver, a bunch of solid QBs, pro bowl fullbacks and tight ends. Barry retired because his last 6 games in 98 were atrocious. You can't re-write the history books.

[@anthonys3631]

@@fairlanemuscle bunch of solid quarterbacks? Who? Eric Hipple? Rodney Peete etc.? Give me a break, smh. They were okay quarterbacks but not great. Yes the Lions kept trading away those 3 all pro lineman(Kevin Glover, Bennie Blades, etc.) and others you refer to. That's why in 98 he decided to pack it in cause he had no team around him any longer and was frustrated with the front office moves or some of these records certainly would be his. I rest my case. Watch his A Football Life Barry Sanders I suggest you and all others do.

[@JimmyParsons]

you’re the man 22. ! i had your poater on my wall growing up. I loved the Cowboys and I really looked up to you man. Not just on the field, but who you were and are. This interview is amazing. And inspiring. thank you

[@theunknown4570]

21 yrs old and my Cowboys were kicking ass!!!! Early 90s GREAT TIMES!!!!

[@sambell385]

I don’t care what anybody say this is the greatest running back to ever touch the ball

[@YouthIncSports]

We would agree on that. His numbers are INSANE!

[@stefanvanrensburg6096]

Excellent interview, thank you Joe & Emmitt. What a gentleman and Champ❤

[@hermixtonen]

Emmitt was the best RB ever. On every level. He was simply the best at imposing his will towards victory. If you had Emmitt, you knew you could win it all. The early 90’s Cowboys actually were not above .500 in games played without Emmitt. He was the key to the whole thing. Had elusive moves similar to Barry (Barry is the king of elusive moves), but Emmitt had more scrap than Barry. He would go diving over the top, or fall forward for several yards when needed . Barry did not have that

[@YouthIncSports]

Could not agree more

[@elvisfan1971]

I will always Love the Triplets. Emmitt, Micheal, and Troy.

[@stevencohn922]

Jim Brown passed away last year like Barry, quit the game early and either one of them could have easily be all time leading rusher. Emmitt is worthy of the title holder !

[@JimBrave-ri1oc]

Emmitt Smith Is The Best NFL Football Player Ever!!!

[@An_Enraged_Pig]

Nah that’s Julian edelman

[@JimBrave-ri1oc]

Edelman is up there. He's top 10 all time and top 3 WR. @@An_Enraged_Pig Emmitt is the best.

[@JimBrave-ri1oc]

@@An_Enraged_Pig Julian would be around 10th all time.

[@user-jo5kf9zh1z]

Deion Sanders

[@baymaxc1647]

Thank you so very much for all the wonderful memories you brought us all. God bless you and yours

[@stephenriggs8177]

They didn't talk about the 25 TDs, in one season. I also wanted to hear about Dancing with the Stars. 😏

[@gilbertortiz8003]

My favorite Dallas Cowboys because of the person he is. The passion and determination I saw in the 90’s as a Cowboys fan is still alive in this interview. What an inspiration to today’s athletes. Deuce Deuce has a the heart of champion! My favorite Cowboy of all time!!!!!!

[@Dieseldog172]

Class act from start to finish !!! This man is a tremendous role model for anyone who is looking to succeed. Not just sports, but in anything. Hard work, sacrifice and absolute dedication, this man personifies them all. Congrats to you Mr. Smith, simply the BEST

[@frankfitch6702]

great interview as always! Emmitt is great!!

[@hughobrien4139]

Emmitt Smith was the heart of joy for a life long Cowboys fan. Watching him work was uplifting for so many people in my hometown in Texas. I played just enough football with a very powerful running back who was shorter in stature. It was very difficult to see his movement through the line of scrimmage. He always hit a hole running with his weight carried forward. He hit you not the other way around. I couldn’t imagine what it was like for these larger men at the professional level. I can only imagine it was multiplied in many ways. I’ve watched many of Emmitt Smith’s runs over and over again like so many others. It’s my firm belief that his hand eye coordination was off the charts. He could open up a would be tacklers arms like a turn style. All while running with power and speed. Although Emmitt was always very humble and very professional. The name Sweetness belongs to a predecessor who will always deserve to wear that name alone. For myself I’ll always associate Emmitt Smith with the term Quickness. Especially when it came to his hands. For me his best performance came much later. My wife and daughter watching a then popular television program Dancing With The Stars. I told my wife and daughter during the first episode at the first mention of Emmitt Smiths name. “This competition is unfair. The rest of the competitors stand zero chance. Emmitt Smith is your winner.” They could not understand my conviction to this statement. I told both of them that there is a tremendous amount of footwork in this man’s career. His work ethic and agility has never been matched. It won’t be in this competition either. I watched my favorite player dance right into the hearts of my family. That was great!

[@tonymeehan7859]

the Triplets jerseys all hang on display in my recroom in my house, they were the greatest trio I ever watched as a Cowboys fan. Emmitt's record will be like Nolan Ryan's record....untouchable forever

[@johnnunez17]

My favorite running back of all time .

[@ryanr9857]

I love this man!!❤ I was 5 years old the season they won the 1992 Superbowl! Grew up watching him And those legends creating a dynasty. How sweet it was. Now it’s Daks turn!

[@chriswise5787]

22 baby!! Loved me some EMMITT SMITH

[@YouthIncSports]

He's the man!

[@user-zs6wm7xp6y]

Amazing!! Good stuff

[@Dieseldog172]

Another great one Joe, love it

[@johnbeasley7658]

Enjoyed that very much.

[@rj-vj8gr]

fantastic interview

[@topJimmyP1984]

That man has heart and drive!

[@georgerice4402]

I have been a steeler fan since the 70s. If I had to create a dream team ofcourse mean Joe and lambert and Swann would be on it. But for my runningback it's not a hard choice. Mr Emmitt Smith hands down would be my pick. I have never seen Mr Smith have a bad game. To me he is by far the best. And what a great man. How I wish he was a steeler

[@NuffxSaid]

The GOAT

[@eddierodriguezjr274]

In todays game where a RB is considered washed up by the time they hit their late 20s, it is un fathomable to think of a RB who did it at an extremely high level year after year after year consistently for well over a decade. He wasn’t the biggest, fastest, or strongest ball carrier but his patience, vision, balance, and last but not least his consistency is one of if not the best in NFL history.

[@YouthIncSports]

He's one of the GOATS

[@JimBrave-ri1oc]

He would average 2500 today against these lesser defenses

[@fairlanemuscle]

patience and vision...two attributes people forget but maybe the most important.

[@jasonburdette6921]

I heard he is a really nice guy.

[@user-ts8tl9xx9w]

Emit smith,you will forever be the best there ever was and will be for me,and it was a privilege to be your greatest fan

[@jaylene.turner6524]

Legendary man and one of the greatest football players of all time!

[@CharlesRussell-zj3jp]

The only cowchump I actually liked. Respect to Emmitt

[@JimBrave-ri1oc]

you biased dumbass.

[@pablop637]

Legend

[@bigred9991]

I dont care what anyone says. This man is the best RB to ever grace a football field. There is not another RB that could do everything Emmitt could at an elite level. The biggest knock on Emmitt was his speed. What they wont say is even with his lack of top end speed je was always in front of people.

[@mkrbrtsn1]

Joe Buck does a great job in these interviews.

[@CarmonBenford]

"I would love to wear a star on my helmet!" And it showed.

[@joetorre3843]

Thank you for everything love you #22

[@browncmp]

Unbreakable records... Ryans 5k strikeouts, Cal Ripken Iron man, Rickey henderson stolen bases, Emmitt's rushing record.

[@holycow3890]

Something that never gets brought up with Emmitt is his toughness.

[@ashedwards1311]

Great watch.

[@drewstar76]

Warrior

[@jameskim62]

GOD BLESS !!!! RUN TO THE END AND SHARE THE BLESSING WITH OTHERS ????~~~~~

[@jay58lb]

Some of these questions are some crazy questions. Let the man finish answer the questions and you can get all the answers without cutting him off.

[@thelogicalcowboy]

GOAT!

[@YouthIncSports]

One of the TRUE NFL greats!

[@josephrose9226]

A good, Godly and humble man 🙏

[@carlosduarte4181]

Emmit has such passion and understands that even though he wasnt a part of the prior Cowboys players and rivalries that he had a duty and mission to push the Cowboys to greatness, unlike the current crop of Cowboy players. Its a responsibility that automatically gets set upon you, when I hear players and coaches say “I wasnt a part of those teams” yeah you werent but when you get to Dallas that comes with it.

[@fingersm]

ES was such a great rb!

[@JimBrave-ri1oc]

The Best.

[@YouthIncSports]

One of the best all-time!

[@justintrotter4186]

39:50 #BarzThroughOut #LoveTheProverbs #Especially22OnThisOne

[@m43854]

One of the top 5 greatest football PLAYERS of all time!

[@stevenclark2908]

These are all wonderful interviews. It's a shame that they have been cut and then jump forward.

[@christiancruz4533]

❤ emmith 22 4 ever

[@HigherPowerWorldWide]

Great interview, I have more respect for Emmett Smith and his dad, his family and the Dallas Cowboys. Great interview.

[@birdbangbobaruni]

Michael Irving and this were good stories Super Bowl 26 was bills redskins great editing

[@philmcwain6182]

18k in the NFL, 4k in college and 8k in HS. Soooooo many yards. Emmitt was and is the man

[@DonnyBoSox]

The fact that the NFL's all-time leading rusher is under-rated is a strange but true fact

[@stevenwelp7165]

What a man, crying about his Mom!

[@tktoutdoors176]

E. Smith is one of the most likable guys you'll ever meet.

[@YouthIncSports]

YUP!

[@shamsboog]

THE Poster child for successful running backs

[@christopherdial3818]

I think he should have mentioned Darryl Johnson because he is the reason he got most of those yards!

[@chrisfetner332]

Emmitt had brains and used his athletic talent to skyrocket to success unlike his wide receiver.

[@robbieez4]

I went to Rickards, i was at that game......

[@user-yk7jv9wc3s]

Great. Line. GreAt. Back. He. Had. Great. Vision 8:19

[@richardlafleur2511]

I remember Emmett said he had broken ribs and they gave him a flack jacket and he played on.

[@darricksublet9833]

UNEMPLOYED!!!!

[@dhaz2847]

Mr Consistent and Character

[@bigtippyTopp]

Emmitt smith and Barry sanders remind me of King David and the son of King Saul Jonathan

[@AMPJRW]

The greatest RB ever go Gators

[@user-bt8cm8pe3t]

I wonder what year this was

[@teebone5072]

Dallas almost didn't get emmitt. They were looking at a linebacker that ended up getting drafted before their pick. Then they drafted Emmitt

[@johnnunez17]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@marknan5352]

His father is a great man because he took on the responsibilities of a man .

[@TheSuey]

What does Emmett's PEN 15 look like?

[@Steven91637]

Space Cowboy Emmitt Smith

[@thomasprince7487]

Emmitt all heart and when it mattered he was unstoppable. Buck should have asked him if he thought the record would ever be broken. My opinion not in my lifetime.