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NFL

Dallas lets go NFL's all-time leading rusher

Emmitt Smith voluntarily leaves the Cowboys after 13 seasons and 17,162 yards.

Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 28, 2003

IRVING, Texas -- The more Emmitt Smith thought about it, the more he realized what had to be done. It was time to leave the Cowboys after 13 seasons.

Rather than put Dallas owner Jerry Jones in the awkward position of cutting the leading rusher in NFL history, Smith volunteered to be released. His departure came Thursday, the eve of the free-agent signing period.

"I still have a love and passion for the game," Smith said, dousing any talk of retirement. "I think I'm a 1,300-yard back, and I will be out to prove that."

Smith's status has been in doubt for several months because of his contract and age. He turns 34 in May and was due a base salary of $7-million next season with a salary-cap figure of $9.8-million. He will count for $4.9-million against next season's cap.

Smith and business manager/adviser Werner Scott met with Jones for more than three hours Feb. 17. During that conversation, Smith came to a conclusion he described as a "win-win situation."

"In my mind, the best thing would be for me to move myself out of the equation, to do what it takes to move this organization back in the right direction," he said.

"I could be very selfish and stubborn and play the role of a man of power and stand in the way, hinder growth. That's not me. I've always been a team player."

Smith said he didn't want to be a distraction to new coach Bill Parcells. He knew that if he stayed, his role in the offense would be an ongoing source of controversy.

"I didn't want to put the team through that. I didn't want to put myself through it," Smith said. "There's a clean slate now."

Smith never met with Parcells. He didn't have to. Jones said all along he was handling the negotiations, and Smith said he appreciated Parcells staying out of it.

"Emmitt Smith is someone that I have great respect for as a player, a competitor and as a person," Parcells said in a statement released after the news conference, which he did not attend.

"This is a decision that was reached with the best interests of Emmitt and the Cowboys in mind. It is a decision that addresses the future for all of the parties involved."

What could have been a somber occasion was a love-fest.

Smith was all smiles as he walked into a news conference at team headquarters wearing a Cowboys' blue pinstriped suit and matching tie. He thanked fans for "a great ride" and presented Jones with one of the helmets, cleats, jerseys and gloves he wore the day he passed Walter Payton on the career rushing list.

Smith reached out to shake hands with Jones, but Jones hugged him instead. Smith thanked Jones and said he loved him.

"As an organization, we've got to start thinking of life without Emmitt," Jones said. "This is not a happy day for me personally. This is not a red-letter day for the Dallas Cowboys."

Smith still could end up with the Cowboys in some capacity after he retires.

"Let's just say we've had very positive discussions with Jerry, and those discussions range from a variety of areas," Scott said. "There's a good spirit and good feeling between those two guys."

For now, Smith is focused on adding to his NFL-record totals of 17,162 yards, 4,052 carries and 153 rushing touchdowns.

"The star may be gone, but the football player is still here," he said. "Somebody will give me a call."

Smith said he would love to go to a team that can provide a good line and a chance to earn a fourth Super Bowl ring.

Smith might have to choose between a small role on a good team or a big role on a bad one. Playing time also will be a consideration, he said.

"There is no doubt in my mind that Emmitt Smith can make a significant contribution to winning in the NFL today," Jones said.

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