Emmitt Smith passes Walter Payton [All-time Rushing Leader]

espn.com ^ | October 27, 2002

[VaBthang4]

Emmitt Smith broke the late Walter Payton's NFL career rushing record Oct. 27 with an 11-yard run in the fourth quarter of the Cowboys' game against Seattle.

Smith got the record with a run over the left side with 9:10 left in the game. After he got tripped up at the line of scrimmage, he kept moving forward, extending his arm to get the final yards. That run gave the 33-year-old Smith 16,728 career yards, passing his idol Payton's mark of 16,726 yards. Payton, who played for the Bears, had held the mark since he retired after the 1987 season. Payton died in November 1999 from a rare liver disease. Payton needed 190 games over 13 seasons to set the mark. Smith, in his 13th season, played in his 193rd game Sunday. The record run came on Smith's 20th carry of the game, only the second time this season he's had at least 20 carries. A few plays later, he went over 100 yards for the first time this season, and then capped the drive with a 1-yard TD run, his 150th career rushing TD, extending his own NFL record.

[FreeTheHostages]

GO REDSKINS!!!

[Mark Turbo]

Glad to see that Moose was there to be a part of it as well. Many of thse yards Emmitt racked up were done on the heels of Moose.

I remember hearing how Emmitt Smith bought watches for his offensive line one year after finishing first in rushing yards for the season. I'm sure they, like Moose, were happy to see this day come.

[plymaniac]

As good as Emmett is, today I remember Walter.

[Not A Democrat]

Emmitt has been pure greatness his entire career with the Cowboys. He has been a true warrior and a fierce competitor. He deserves all the kudos being directed his way.

I lost a bit of respect for him, though, this past spring during the primary season, when I received recorded messages from Emmitt asking me to vote for Ron Kirk for U.S. Senate. (How the Dems had my number is another story-I've never voted in a Dem primary in my life) I was disappointed, but not really surprised.

Nonetheless, he has been a truly great player. His bust will be in Canton, and his name will be on the Cowboys' Ring of Honor at Texas Stadium.

[Richard Kimball]

He's saving the footballs and other memorabilia to have a charity auction. He also contacted Walter Payton's widow and son and invited them to the game. In addition, he's contributed time to Walter Payton's foundation for finding cancer cures.

Of course, if you're a Redskin fan and a graduate of A&M, I understand your bitterness.

[Ahban]

Top five of all time? The names I've seen are good, but I'd have to throw Earl Campbell in there. The Oilers wore him out too fast by over use, but he dominated the game as a pro during his five best seasons.

[Darlin']

FOFLOL. I hear ya :)

[Mudboy Slim]

Haven't read the whole thread, but Barry Sanders has to be in anyone's Top 5, IMHO...MUD

[habs4ever]

Campbell wore himself out, it was the way he played the game.Punishing to watch, as well as play ;-)

Marcus Allen is the most underrated back in the past 25 yrs.He most closely resembled Gayle Sayers.

[Rightly Biased]

Thanks again rintense I have always been an Emmitt fan what a nice tribute.......

[rintense]

Seems like a good guy- and a Godly guy as well. I wish him all the best.

[lonestar]

We're talking Top 5...and where's Eric Dickerson?

Last time I saw him we were stuck in an airport in Vegas. All of us boarded a new plane headed for Houston but Eric didn't get to go with us.

His grandmother thought it was bad luck that we had to get off the first plane and she told him to wait for another flight. He did as he was told.

[lonestar]

An article in the paper this week said that shortly before his death, Walter Peyton asked Emmitt Smith to keep an eye on his son. Young Peyton plays for U of Miami; he and Emmitt have become big buddies.

[BraveMan]

GO REDSKINS!!!

This is NOT the same team that played in Lambeau last week. The players must have been switched . . .

[OKSooner]

If Walter Payton's record had to be broken, I'm glad it could be a guy like Emmitt Smith doing it. Emmitt is a class act, a lot like Walter. Let's hope Walter saw it happen.

[Doohickey]

He used to own a collectibles shop in Pensacola, Florida. That's where the balls when. He sold it three years ago.

I'll leave you with this quote from Emmitt:

“You think you're in the ultimate arena by playing the game, but you're not. The ultimate arena of competition is free enterprise,” Smith said. “That's the true arena.”

[dfwgator]

Congrats to my fellow Gator Emmitt Smith. Now if only he could play QB cause the Cowboys sure don't have one.