Emmitt has become the NFL’s all time leading rusher. Besides being a terrific fooball player, he’s a really good guy.
Whether the Dallas Cowboys were winning or not, I’ve always loved to watch the games if only to watch Emmitt run.
Jim
I agree!
And not just 'cause I’m a Cowboys fan. (Unfortunately, living here in Redskins country, I didn’t get to watch the game; luckily, New Orleans-Atlanta was pretty exciting, though, but still…)
Emmitt is a classy guy and certainly a talented back.
But if Barry Sanders had Emmitt’s line, supporting cast, coaching staff, and upper management, this record falls years ago.
No.
If Barry Sanders hadn’t RETIRED then the record would have fallen 4 years ago, and it would probably stand at around 20,000 yards.
Don’t go foisting this off on everyone but the person who was singularly responsible for Barry’s not breaking the record, and that would be Barry Sanders.
Not the Lion’s offensive line, coaches, or upper management.
It’s all on Barry.
That being said, congrats to Emmitt.
I blame the management of the Detroit Lions, in fact. Not Barry Sanders.
But, then again, I was always a Walter Payton fan.
Records may be broken, but legends never fade.
All the same, Congrats to Emmitt Smith and his fans.
Emmitt is good, but he’d better be thanking his offensive line and the Moose for helping him get the record. He benefitted by having a good quarterback, much as it pains me to admit that about Troy Aikman. He had Alvin Harper, Jay Novachek, Michael Irvin, and a killer offensive line to create room for him.
Maybe this is taking something away from Emmitt’s achievement, but Barry was awesome. He didn’t have a strong offensive line. He gained his yardage because he’s that incredible and because he spent most of his career running for his life. Same with Walter Payton. They were probably the single stars on their teams (except for the one year the Bears won the Superbowl). Emmitt benefitted greatly by being on a team who had other play options. Emmitt, on another team, might not have done as well as he did with the Cowboys. That’s just my $.02.