Smith's Soulful Journey Ends in Canton

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Walter Payton was in sight. Emmitt Smith was in pursuit. It was that week in late October 2002 when Smith, then with the Cowboys, was preparing for the Seattle Seahawks -- and for much more. That would become the game where he surpassed Payton to become the National Football League's all-time leading rusher.

We spent an afternoon and evening together a couple of days before that historic game in Texas Stadium. Part of that time was at Smith's chiropractor. He always did the little things to prolong his career, to defy aging. I found it remarkable that preparing to run where no one in NFL history ever had, meant first lying flat.

On Friday night here, Smith joined six others to form the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Just before he walked on stage for a live television interview, we recalled that day, that chiropractor visit. And something else he revealed then:

"I run from my soul. With the football in my hands, everything originates from my soul."

Anyone watching Smith's TV interview that followed must have understood. There were many tears. Many moments of reflective silence, followed by more tears. So much of his soul bare, authentic, tender.

The soul of Smith's game was comprised of his family, his desire to be great, his willingness to listen and learn and follow and eventually lead. The soul of his runs were often simplistic, but somehow always engaging. The soul of his game was to find a hole and shoot for it. The soul of his leadership was always providing a challenge for younger players to match his effort, his preparation, his sacrifice.

Younger Dallas Cowboys always wanted what he had. Smith would ask, "You want what I got? Do you know what it took?''

It took a kid from Pensacola, Fla., to reach deep within his soul on his journey from there to the University of Florida (1987-1990) to the Dallas Cowboys (1990-2002) to two final seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (2003-2004), en route to the NFL rushing record of 18,355 yards.

That 2002 season was the soul of his career, but no NFL player has had a season like Smith did in 1993. That season, he won one of his three Super Bowl rings as a Cowboy, was most valuable player of the game, was most valuable player of the league during the regular season, and won that season's rushing crown.

He showed a little more of his soul as a swift-footed, fluid-moving man when he won the 2006 "Dancing With The Stars'' television-series championship. That showed both his rhythm and his soul, he said.

But when he talked about his backstage visit with his father Friday, he revealed the depth of his soul.

Smith said his father had a dream of becoming a great and famous running back. He said his father told him that that he was a great back, even though he never became famous, because he had to quit playing and not attend college to take care of his ill mother.

"He said, 'I never did go to college. You're living my dream,' " Smith said. "I'm living his dream, fulfilling my dream and fulfilling God's purpose for me.''

Smith was in the moment, all in, when he shared that story with the world. So many things had to fall in place for him to be in this position, he said. A moment where he was embraced by so many people.

"Nobody can write a script this perfect,'' Smith said.

He said "Avatar'' is a great movie, but this is as good as it gets.

He said the Cowboys and their star, his star, was always his dream team. He said "so much has been added unto me, ''because he was willing to make the best of his talent, use his soul. He said he played the game because he loved it -- and the bigger the stage, the bigger his presence.

That was certainly evident here.

Among the other inductees -- Jerry Rice, Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Dick LeBeau, Floyd Little and John Randle -- Rice said he was grateful to enter the Hall of Fame with Smith. That is fitting because Rice is the league's all-time touchdown maker (207) and Smith is second (175). Little added: "This is so great, and I am so happy. I deserve this.'' LeBeau via televised phone interview said: "It's a great and wonderful day to be alive.''

One of LeBeau's favorite sayings is that some days are diamonds, some days are stones.

Emmitt Smith revealed his soul once again, for all to see, on a day full of "diamonds'' for him.

He has four children including a son, Emmitt James Smith IV, who was born on May 15, the same day as his now Hall of Famer dad. The father reaches age 41 later this year. The son reaches age 8. The soul of Smith's future work is to be a Hall of Fame father to his children, in just the manner that he his father was for him.

Smith's wife, Pat, explained: "Emmitt and E.J. (their son) are so close. They have a tremendous bond. He loves all of his children, but there is something there between the two that speaks of a real strong and lasting legacy. That is Emmitt's heart and soul now, to honor, teach and grow his children.''

It takes the soul of a man, of a father, to master that portion of his journey.
Smith worked his way into the Hall of Fame, Dallas owner Jerry Jones said. He was not the biggest or the fastest, Jones said, when drafted in 1990. Jones said knew he had a good player, not a great one.

Jones has an affinity for every player who has worn the Dallas uniform during his ownership. For some, just a whisker, for others, a deep, affectionate love. The Cowboys were 1-15 the season before Jones and then-coach Jimmy Johnson drafted Smith.

Smith became part of the soul of what Jones says continues to make the Cowboys special. Jones in a myriad of private and public ways has experienced the greatness, the realness of Emmitt Smith.

"And all I can say about that,'' said Jones, "is that there is nothing like the first love.''

And little like Emmitt Smith when he used his soul in his running, and, more so, in his walk.