Smith got rave reviews for his recent Hall of Fame speech, even though he forgot to thank the University of Florida (which he apologized for on his Twitter page). Anyway, the first part is an intro video and the second part is the first portion of his speech. At the very least sure to check out the end of part two, where Smith thanks his fullback Daryl “Moose” Johnston.
“I am just honored … to stand up there with greatness,” Rice added.
Smith teared up when speaking about his father and how “I was living his dream.”
“We are blessed to achieve this level of greatness together,” Smith said, referring to Rice.
Rice and Smith each won three Super Bowls and was the MVP in one of those victories. Smith was the 1993 league MVP, as well.
Rice, the NFL’s career receiving and touchdowns leader, and Smith, the top rusher, were joined in the Hall by John Randle, Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Floyd Little and Dick LeBeau. Little and LeBeau were elected as senior committee nominees.
Smith, among the most durable running backs, rushed for 18,355 yards and 164 touchdowns for Dallas and Arizona.
In an era of me-first players and diva receivers, it’s nice to take a step back and honor Rice. He was one of those players that knew what it took to be great and strived to get there every season. His workout habits are well renowned and I don’t know if there will ever be another receiver like him.
It’s nice to see a player like Jackson get in too. The Saints were one of the saddest franchises in the NFL for a long time yet he played on some top 10 defenses that helped turn things around in the early 90s. The “Dome Patrol” was arguably the best linebacker corps in NFL history.
- In light of the news/rumor that he won’t return to ESPN next season, AWFUL ANNOUNCING pays respect to Emmitt Smith by listing his top 10 “Emmittisms.” Good stuff.
- SPORTSBYBROOKS has photos of Lance Armstrong fending off “Syringe Man” at the Tour of California cycling race.
- CHRIS COOLEY describes having to fend off overzealous fans during his night out with Alexander Ovechkin at a UWC fight.
- DEADSPIN chimes in on Jim Calhoun’s run-in [video] with a freelance journalists/rabble rouser. Calhoun was right, but he was condescending about it.
- I defy you to watch this touching story about a high school basketball game in Wisconsin without getting misty eyed…
The Titans’ LenDale White is a bit peeved that the Carolina Panthers’ backfield tandem of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart might have stolen a nickname that White came up with to describe he and teammate Chris Johnson’s running style.
Apparently, LenDale White of the Titans crafted the term “Smash and Dash” for himself and Chris Johnson a few weeks ago. And then Monday night on ESPN, there were signs rooting for “Smash and Dash,” referring to the Panthers’ tandem of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. From ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky:
“If they want a nickname, I can nickname them: ‘Identity and Theft,’” said White, who’s successfully paired with the speedy rookie Chris Johnson this season. “I was upset because I made that phrase up myself. I mean I made it up. I don’t know about NFL Network and all those other guys. I heard somebody say, ‘Batman and Robin,’ that’s like cute, that’s for them. If they want that name they can have it. The ‘Smash and Dash’ is something I made up.”
“Identity and Theft”? That is freaking hilarious! Between that and Terrell Owens’ “Dumb and Dumber” comment about Emmitt Smith and Keyshawn Johnson, there have been some outstanding athlete quotes this week.
T.O. claims that he doesn’t watch ESPN, but he sure gets worked up about what the network’s analysts have to say.
He’s particularly perturbed about ex-Cowboys Keyshawn Johnson and Emmitt Smith, who have often been critical of the current Valley Ranch residents. Without prompting, T.O. fired a few shots at Keyshawn and Emmitt today.
“Those two need their own show – Dumb and Dumber,” said T.O., who was otherwise jolly while sporting a Cowboys-customized Santa cap and blinking red nose.
T.O. called Emmitt a hypocrite for publicly calling the Cowboys a bunch of individuals, then leaving a message on Greg Ellis’ cell phone to pass onto the team. (T.O. wouldn’t say what the message was.) T.O. also pointed out that Emmitt doesn’t even know the name of the rookie running back who starred against the Steelers, since No. 22 apparently referred to Tashard Choice as Rashard.
As for Keyshawn, T.O. pointed out for the 1,348th time that the Cowboys gave Keyshawn a pink slip so they could sign him.
“Obviously, this guy is still really jealous of me,” T.O. said, “because I’m here and this guy is in the booth talking about me and the Cowboys.”
I often wonder what the world would be like without Owens’s comments. And that my friends, is a world I don’t care to live in.
SPORTSbyBROOKS.com blogs that ESPN will not bring Emmitt Smith back to NFL Countdown. Along with many other folks, SnB rejoices at the thought of Emmitt-less Countdown.
Point being, if you stink at your job, you should get fired. ESPN finally woke up and smelled the roses, deciding not to bring Emmitt Smith back to NFL Countdown. PRO FOOTBALL TALK reports that Cris Carter will be brought in instead to torture give us the news on Sundays with Chris Berman & crew.
I would like to extend a hearty “WHAT THE HELL TOOK SO LONG?!?!?!?!?!” to everyone involved in this decision making process.
Emmitt is brutal. Personally, I’m not even a huge fan of him as the all-time leading rusher, but there’s not a whole lot any of us can do about that. Except maybe hope Tavaris Jackson figures out that he is, in fact, supposed to hit his receivers’ hands.
Finally though, what’s with this graduated move off of ESPN? Let’s make this whole thing happen, please. No Monday night, no Sportscenter, nothing. Stick him and Berman on a boat bound for that “Lost” island and let’s all just move on. Kthxbai.
Hear-hear to that last comment about sticking Smith and Berman on a boat. ESPN should blow up NFL Countdown and start fresh. No more talking heads – get some people in there that know the game/league and not someone who thinks yelling at viewers for two hours makes for good commentary.
