Emmitt Smith: Early Slights Fueled The Drive To Success

DALLAS -- Emmitt Smith learned quickly to be humble as a high school freshman under legendary Escambia (Fla.) High School football coach Dwight Thomas.

His NFL Hall of Fame career was far into the future when Smith first took the field in the early 1980s. But he starred at running back right away for Thomas' Escambia Gators. Thomas shielded the young Smith from the media for several weeks before relenting after a big game and allowing interviews.

Smith was green when it came to the media, he told 2017 Advisor Super Conference attendees Thursday.

"There were a bunch of I, I, I things," Smith recalled, conceding that he failed to acknowledge his offensive linemen. "Coach Thomas told me 'Every chance you get, you share the spotlight with those five guys up front.'"

That wasn't the end of the lesson. At the next practice, Smith took the first handoff and his offensive line remained stationary as defenders crunched the running back.

"I got up saying 'Coach, I got it. I got it,'" Smith recalled to laughter inside the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center.

Smith, 48, spoke for an hour on themes that included hard work, setting goals, perseverance and giving back to the community.

After high school and a celebrated college career at the University of Florida, Smith was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1990. He famously wrote down a list of goals that included winning the Super Bowl and becoming the NFL's all-time leading rusher.

He accomplished the latter goal on Oct. 27, 2002.

"You always have to begin with the end in mind," Smith said. "Devise a plan to make it happen and surround yourself with the positive people."

Considered too small and too slow, Smith was passed over by several NFL teams. The slights only fueled his drive to be great, he said.

"People tell you everything that you cannot do," he said. "But they don't control where you go. Your effort, tenacity, grit and resolve push you to the level where you want to go."

During a question-and-answer session that followed, Smith said his early goal-setting extended to off the field as well. Smith earned his college degree in health and human performance six years after he left the University of Florida.

Today, Smith runs several successful companies in real estate, construction and personal services.

 

InsuranceNewsNet Senior Editor John Hilton has covered business and other beats in more than 20 years of daily journalism. John may be reached at [email protected].

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