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10/27/02

COWBOYS’ EMMITT SMITH

BECOMES NFL ALL-TIME RUSHING LEADER

Dallas Cowboys running back EMMITT SMITH today became the NFL’s all-time rushing leader, surpassing Pro Football Hall of Famer and Chicago Bears legend WALTER PAYTON.

Smith gained 11 yards nine minutes into the fourth quarter on his 20th carry against visiting Seattle, giving him 16,728 career yards, surpassing Payton, who totaled 16,726 yards with the Bears from 1975-87. 

Smith finished the game with 109 yards for a career total of 16,743.  He also added a one-yard touchdown run for his record 150th-career rushing touchdown.

“No one is more worthy to succeed Walter Payton as the all-time NFL rushing leader than Emmitt Smith,” said NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue after Smith attained the record.  “He kept a photo of Walter Payton in his high school locker and then came to embody the qualities – both athletic and personal -- that were so admired in Walter.  Now Emmitt takes Walter’s place in the record book, and the NFL could not be more proud.”

In his 13th season from Florida, Smith has long expressed his admiration of the late Bears legend.

“You play the game because you love it and you strive to win championships,” said Smith.  “You set individual goals that are intertwined with team goals, and the all-time rushing record is one of them.  It means a great deal to me, especially because of the greatness of the person who held it before me.  I can’t even begin to explain how great the ‘great deal’ is.”

The NFL’s all-time rushing leaders:

 ALL-TIME NFL RUSHING LEADERS