Fifty Fabulous Floridians: Number 3

As we now get closer to the grand finale and remaining top 3 athletes that made the Fifty Fabulous Floridians (That Made Us Proud) list I wanted once again to offer a special thanks to those who have commented or debated the list and the rankings of individual athletes on it.

As you know by now we are doing the top five selections one at a time to give them the recognition they truly deserve.  This week we move up to number 3 on the list, and with only two more of the cherished spots at the top left, the selections keep getting even better, yet more difficult.

Here are my brief thoughts on this week's selection NFL Hall of Famer and former Florida Gator Emmitt Smith:

The NFL all time rushing leader.  The only player in history to win the Super Bowl Championship, the NFL Most Valuable Player award, the NFL rushing crown, and the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award all in the same season   Take a minute and look at his  astonishing statistics.

# 3 Emmitt Smith

Emmitt James Smith III (born May 15, 1969) is a Hall of Fame American football running back. He was an All-American at the University of Florida before playing professionally for the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals, and is the NFL's all-time rushing leader, a record formerly held by his childhood hero, Walter Payton. He is the only running back to ever win a Super Bowl championship, the NFL Most Valuable Player award, the NFL rushing crown, and the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award all in the same season (1993). He is also one of four running backs to lead the NFL in rushing three or more consecutive seasons, joining Steve Van Buren, Jim Brown, and Earl Campbell. He was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Smith is the first player from the 1990 NFL Draft to be inducted. He also won the reality TV show Dancing with the Stars in 2006.

While playing for the Cowboys, Smith, Troy Aikman, and Michael Irvin were "The Triplets" who led their team to three Super Bowl championshipsduring the 1990s.

 Early years

Smith was born in Pensacola, Florida, the son of Mary (née Clements) and Emmitt James Smith II He attended Escambia High School in Pensacola. During his football career there, Smith rushed for 106 touchdowns and 8,804 yards, which was the second most yardage in the history of American high school football at the time. For his efforts, Smith was named the USA Today and Parade Magazine high school player of the year for 1986. In 2007, Smith was named the best player in the 100 year history of Florida high school football by the Florida High School Athletic Association.

Yet despite his accomplishments and accolades, some college recruiting experts opined that he was too small and too slow to succeed in major college football when he signed to play at the University of Florida.

 College career

Emmitt Smith did not start the first two games of his college career in the fall of 1987, but made the most of his opportunities in a 2nd-week rout of Tulsa in which he gained 109 yards on just 10 carries, including a 66 yard touchdown run. That performance earned him his first collegiate start in the next contest: the SEC opener against Alabama in Birmingham.

In his first full game, Smith promptly broke Florida's 40-year old all-time single game rushing record, carrying 39 times for 224 yards and 2 TDs as the Gators upset the Crimson Tide. Smith went on to break the 1000-yard barrier in the 7th game of his freshman season, the fastest any running back had ever broken that barrier to begin his college career He finished the 1987 season with 1,341 yards and was named Southeastern Conferenceand National Freshman of the Year. He also finished 9th in that year's Heisman voting.

Smith started the 1988 season strong until injuring his knee against Memphis State. The Gators, who had reeled off a 5-0 record with Smith in the backfield, lost the game in which he was injured and then the next three as well while Smith was unable to play. Upon returning, he almost reached 1000 yards on the season, finishing with 988.

Smith stayed healthy throughout his junior season in 1989 and found success again. He finished the campaign with Florida records for rushing yards in a season (1,599), rushing yards in a single game (316 versus New Mexico in October 1989), longest rushing play (96 yards against Mississippi State in 1988), career rushing yards (3,928), and career rushing touchdowns (36), among many others. In all, Smith owned 58 school records at the conclusion of his Florida career despite playing on Florida teams with virtually no passing game, making him the focal point of opposing defenses.

At the conclusion of his junior season in 1989, Smith was named a first-team SEC selection for the third year and SEC Player of the Year, was a consensus first-team All-American, and finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy balloting.

On January 1, 1990, Florida hired Steve Spurrierto coach the Gators. Smith, concerned about his place in Spurrier's reportedly pass-first offense, decided to forgo his senior year at Florida and enter the NFL.

Smith was subsequently inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a "Gator Great," the Gator Football Ring of Honor and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006. He returned to the university during the NFL off-season and completed his bachelor's degree

 Professional career

Despite his collegiate success, some NFLteams still felt that Smith was too small and slow for the pro game. He fell to the 17th pick in the first round, when he was picked by the Dallas Cowboys, who had traded up to draft him.

Smith was the first player in NFL history to have five consecutive seasons with over 1,400 rushing yards. Smith, Jim Brown, and LaDainian Tomlinson are the only players with seven straight 10-touchdown seasons to start their careers. With 1,021 rushing yards in 2001, Smith became the first player in NFL history with 11 consecutive 1,000 yard seasons and the first to post 11 1,000-yard rushing seasons in a career. He is the NFL's all-time leader in rushing attempts with 4,409.

Smith currently holds the NFL record in career rushing yards with 18,355, breaking the previous record held by Walter Payton, on October 27 of the 2002 NFL season. He leads all running backs with 164 career rushing touchdowns, and his 175 total touchdowns ranks him second only to Jerry Rice's 208. The sum of his rushing yards, receiving yards (3,224) and fumble return yards (-15) give him a total of 21,564 yards from the line of scrimmage, making him one of only four players in NFL history to eclipse the 21,000-combined yards mark.

Smith also accumulated several NFL postseason records, including rushing touchdowns (19), consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (9) and 100-yard rushing games (7). His 1,586 yards rushing is also top on the NFL postseason chart, and he shares the total playoff touchdown mark of 21 with Thurman Thomas.

With the Cowboys, Smith won three Super Bowl rings and rushed for over 100 yards in two of those games, Super Bowl XXVII (108 yards and a touchdown, along with 6 receptions for 27 yards), and Super Bowl XXVIII (132 yards and two touchdowns, along with 4 receptions for 26 yards). Smith received the Super Bowl MVP award for Super Bowl XXVIII, becoming the only Cowboys running back ever to win the award out of all their Super Bowl wins.

Smith is one of only five NFL players who have amassed over 10,000 career-rushing yards and 400 career receptions. Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice are the only two non-kickers to score 1000 points in a career.

 Retirement

Three days before Super Bowl XXXIX in February 2005, Smith announced his retirement from the NFL. He was released by the Arizona Cardinals and signed a one day contract for no money with the Dallas Cowboys – after which he immediately retired as a Cowboy, the team he played for from 1990 to 2002.

Smith was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010, in his first year of eligibility.

On February 7, 2010, Smith flipped the coin at the start of Super Bowl XLIV between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints.

 Personal

Smith is a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity at Florida and returned to school during the off-season to take classes. He received his degree in Public Recreation from the University of Florida in May 1996.

Smith married former Miss Virginia USA beauty queen Patricia Southallon April 22, 2000. They have a son, Emmitt IV, who was born on Smith's 33rd birthday, May 15, 2002, and a daughter, Skylar, born in October 2003.

Smith also has a daughter (Rheagen Smith) by ex-girlfriend Hope Wilson and a stepdaughter (Jasmin Page Lawrence), Southall's daughter from her previous marriage to comedian Martin Lawrence.

Career highlights and awards

· Pro Football Hall of Fame (2010 inductee) · NFL record for career rushing yards (18,355) · NFL record for career rushing touchdowns (164) · NFL record for career 100+ yards rushing games (78) · 8× Pro Bowl selection (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999) · 4× First-Team All-Pro selection (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995) · Second-Team All-Pro selection (1991) · NFL 1990s All-Decade Team · 3× Super Bowl Champion (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX) · AP NFL MVP (1993) · 1990 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year · Super Bowl MVP (XXVIII) · 2× NEA NFL MVP, (1991, 1992) · 1993 PFWA NFL MVP · Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor ·  1989 SEC Player of the Year · Gator Football Ring of Honor · Florida High School All-Century Team · Florida High School Athletic Association Player of the Century

Comments

[TJL]

1st?

[TJL]

finally!

[SOUP]

TJL....NICE!

There was a four minute delay as I was late to post. Guess that worked out for U?

Email me at: canespace86@aol.com

[SOUP]

Belen Jesuit LB Nick Menocal has verbally committed to the University of Miami.

Menocal checked in at the Miami Nike Camp earlier this spring at 6-foot-2 and 232 pounds and ran a 4.59 laser 40 with a 35.5-inch vertical jump.

His 114.40 SPARQ rating was one of the highest in Florida.

Posted by: big chuck | June 28, 2010 at 06:50 PM

REPOST FROM LAST BLOG.

[shwarma]

Soup thanks for the ink to the liquor store but meant chairs, tents , grills, etc. when I said tailgaiting supplies

[SOUP]

Soup thanks for the ink to the liquor store but meant chairs, tents , grills, etc. when I said tailgaiting supplies

Posted by: shwarma | June 28, 2010 at 07:16 PM

Who needs any stinkin' chairs and tents? Just liquid supplies are required!

Order on-line and have it shipped to U:

http://allcanes.com/shop/Miami-Hurricanes/c/football/17/Household_Tailgating_Items.html

[CanesFanStuckInCali]

New Manny on Nick Menocal:

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2010/06/um-gets-commitment-from-belen-lb-menocal.html#comments

[SOUP]

Menocal was one of the state's highest scorers at the Nike SPARQ camp, which measures overall athleticism. He ran a 4.59 in the 40-yard dash at the Miami Nike Camp earlier this spring and had a 35.5-inch vertical leap. This season, Menocal will play mostly defensive end for Belen, but said UM is recruiting him to play linebacker.

He will come in as one of UM's brightest recruits, boasting a 3.5 GPA. He already scored a 1510 on the SAT exam and is a full qualifier.

UM has six commitments in its 2011 class. Four are from South Florida.

Read more: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2010/06/um-gets-commitment-from-belen-lb-menocal.html#comments#ixzz0sC50Knrh

[CanesFanStuckInCali]

A little more background on Nick, who's father and uncle are police officers in Sweetwater, Miami, FL:

http://heraldwatch.blogspot.com/2007/09/atonement-for-herald.html

[SOUP]

Cali...U beat me to it! Nice job.

[Esteban]

does Belen let guys graduate early? Cause this dude already is a full qualifier according to Manny. got to say 6'3, 232 is a nice piece of rock for Swasey to work with as a LB coming in.

[Old Skool]

A worthy number 3 even if he is a Gator.

Speaking of which Ja Juan Story has decided to become an Urbanite

[shwarma]

Este, that's a huge kid. I mean he grows he is a DE in no time.

Also, in the video I watched I saw more DE skills, than LB. Video didn't showcase any diagnosis, just go chasee the ball.

I trust the coaches, this just seems like a surprise for this small class.

[shwarma]

That's fine about Story as I heard he would have maybe had some grade issues. Also, forgot to add to last post that though I know he is very small, I like Bryant's film more than this guy.

But even though I know I have been critical, welcome to the U Nick!

[Esteban]

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/rank?versionId=2&listId=631

suport Jacory!!

[CanesFanStuckInCali]

MANDINGA'S ON A ROLL!!!

New story on Chase Ford:

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2010/06/te-chase-ford-ready-to-make-an-impact.html#comments

GO CANES!!!

[CanesFanStuckInCali]

That Manny story I just posted also has some more info on Delmar Taylor, Jeremy Davis, Kelvin Cain, and T Glenn.

SO happy to get some Canes news! Starting to feel like summer/fall.

Only 2 more months!!!

GO CANES!!!!

[Six]

Does Nick Menocal pay rent to live in the damn weight room instead of with his parents? That kid is not exactly small

Check this out though on him, pretty funny:

Look at #8, where it says DREAM SCHOOL:

http://rise.espn.go.com/football/articles/2010/02/11-Codrington-on-GTK-Nick-Menocal.aspx

[shwarma]

Six, boy kid is looking to make enemies of us quickly

[SOUP]

Menocal reminds me of Olivier Vernon. Same body type although Menocal looks a little more amped at this stage.

[Cat 5 Cane]

Emmitt... Ohhh Yeah!

That one of mine... but if he's 3rd... who's 2nd???

[Six]

shwarma - ya, I thought that was pretty funny ... then again, it's also funny that his favorite team are the Ravens and favorite player is Ray Lewis

Ravens have Canes at very important positions on their squad, and of course his favorite player is a Cane legend and probably one of the scariest lookin mofos in his Cane uni that I've ever seen

It's like a mix of a heat seeking missile and a rottweiler with a 6 pack and 2 legs

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-tPInbVUH6g/SrgTE-riyII/AAAAAAAAA3c/zK5iX4QD0RA/s400/TDCblog092209.jpg

[Six]

I miss these days ...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2753/4452220501_d585fa9780_o.jpg

That was one nasty ass trio of death dealers in the middle of the field

[Native]

UCLA having trouble trying to lick the Cocks.

Go Canes!!!

[UMike]

I dont know how these coaches do it...i try to train my son, coach him up and some times I just want to wring his little neck! lol

[roachcane77]

Nice pick on #3. (Good research too!)

E. Smith was an amazing running back. Never seemed to be moving that fast or cutting that sharply, but he would just EAT UP YARDS like nobody's business!

Nice job again gentlemen...

[Six]

If you haven't seen Strasburg pitch yet, here's a link to watch online of the Nats vs Braves

Tim Hudson vs. Strasburg

Huddy is dealing, Strasburgs last pitch was 99 mph and has just filthy stuff tonight

You also get to see Strasburg on the mound go up against Jason Heyward at bat ... two phenoms and MLBs future

[roachcane77]

Gotta like this Nick Menocal kid. Good athlete, good student... nice job again Randy!

[Six]

Sorry, here's the link online to watch

http://www.channelsurfing.net/watch-mlb.html

Strasburg has 5 Ks thru 5 innings

[solarcane]

Thanks guys,

Emmitt could easily hold the number one spot with his credentials.

These top four could be switched around into any order depending on the person that is evaluating the bios.

Jack Youngblood and Emmitt are two players you gotta really respect no matter how much you loath the Gators.

[Six]

Nevermind, Heyward isn't playing tonight b/c of a bone bruise in this thumb

It's funny as hell though listening to the Nats announcers (Rob Dibble & Bob Carpenter) - they're both smartasses and it's great. They just ragged on some guy sitting behind the plate who waves every time Strasburg is about to release the ball

Dibble just said "Look at this guy right here, look at him, waving every time Steven throws the ball ... hey buddy, you're not distracting the kid - get a life"

Bob Carpenter just said "You probably paid $300 for those seats, why don't you act like it"

It's refreshing to hear some announcers like that, unlike a lot of the bland ones you hear for your own team

[321CANES]

Dropppin knowledge to my canespace brothas from my source WR from Nature coast Jajuan Story wanted to come to MIami but we told em that he had to hold off last week because we have a wr already in place in his spot!!!! So today he committed to the GATES.

(HINT) What WR recruit rhymes with family???? LOL LOL

[4-Real]

How much u guys wanna bet Ja'Jaun Story gets elavated from 3 star to 4 or 5 star now that just committed to UF?

[4-Real]

How much u guys wanna bet Ja'Jaun Story gets elavated from 3 star to 4 or 5 star now that just committed to UF?

[4-Real]

How much u guys wanna bet Ja'Jaun Story gets elavated from 3 star to 4 or 5 star now that just committed to UF?

[4-Real]

How much u guys wanna bet Ja'Jaun Story gets elavated from 3 star to 4 or 5 star now that just committed to UF?

[4-Real]

Sorry for multiple post.

[Ungar]

Emmitt Smith:

15 yards versus the Canes.

That stache is trash, that beard is weird.

Ooohhh, it's bad!!!

But seriously, great talent, glad that he wasn't #1, but a deserving #3.

Nick Menocal, is his mother a teacher? I mean, great grades to go with great skills? And I hear Belen is a tough school to get into. UM might even be easy after being at a Jesuit school.

[Ungar]

I bet Ja'Jaun Story gets elavated from 3 star to 4 or 5 star now that he committed to Gators. It's just this felling I keep getting. I mean, I have felt it like four times already....

[DrtyCane]

any new news on the seantrel and ego sweepstakes, or is that dead?

[DrtyCane]

tomorrow is physicals for the players..heard the news from a team dr. who works at the hospital i work at....
hopefully everyone is clean....

[solarcane]

I have felt it like four times already....

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[shwarma]

Guys, he's a rough product so if he show's flahses he will get an elevated star rating, and rightfully so. Those sites are based on money. Realize its not bias as much as its $$$.

[solarcane]

4 real you are probably right four times

[solarcane]

I'm thinking this is the longest stretch in the history of Miami Hurricane football that no one has been suspended, arrested or spent a night in the box.

[solarcane]

Vegas odds to win the Heisman as of now

Player Position School Line
Mark Ingram Running back Alabama +380
Terrelle Pryor Quarterback Ohio State +550
Jake Locker Quarterback Washington +800
Ryan Mallett Quarterback Arkansas +1200
Noel Devine Running back West Virginia +1400
Jacory Harris Quarterback Miami +1400
Dion Lewis Running back Pittsburgh +1500
Case Keenum Quarterback Houston +1500
John Clay Running back Wisconsin +1500
Evan Royster Running back Penn State +1500
Kellen Moore Quarterback Boise State +1700
Landry Jones Quarterback Oklahoma +1800
Andrew Luck Quarterback Stanford +1800
DeMarco Murray Running back Oklahoma +1800
Christian Ponder Quarterback Florida State +1800
Damien Berry Running back Miami +2200
Matt Barkley Quarterback USC +2200
Jacquizz Rodgers Running back Oregon State +2500
Garrett Gilbert Quarterback Texas +3000
LaMichael James Running back Oregon +3300
Tate Forcier Quarterback Michigan +3500
Josh Nesbitt Quarterback Georgia Tech +6000
Jerrod Johnson Quarterback Texas A&M +6000
Blaine Gabbert Quarterback Missouri +6600
Jordan Todman Running back Connecticut +6600
Robert Griffin Quarterback Baylor +6600

[Nashvillecane]

So who's the wr that rhymes with family?

[pb]

I was at the Emmitt Smith 15 yard game. I'm pretty sure it was his first college game ever and the end of the series.

I also believe Kerwin Bell had to be hospitalized after that game and the Gators only points came on two muffed punt snaps that went into the endzone

[Doc Ibis]

So who's the wr that rhymes with family?

Posted by: Nashvillecane | June 28, 2010 at 11:14 PM

SAMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYY!!!!! I hope thats true man!!

[orange 'n green in the vein]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlXRU13VDXk&playnext_from=TL&videos=DKEfnCjOsOM

Emmit had about what, 5 yards at this point?