Emmitt Smith urges son EJ to run own race ahead of NFL draft

Emmitt Smith advised his son EJ, a Texas A&M running back entering the NFL draft, to focus on personal expectations amid pressure to match his father's legacy. The Hall of Fame running back recalled EJ approaching him in high school overwhelmed by others' demands. Smith responded by questioning whether EJ's goals aligned with external ones, telling him to disregard the noise and hone his craft.

"What are your expectations? Are your expectations any different than what they want for you?" Smith asked EJ during their conversation, as recounted in a recent interview. He emphasized running one's own race like a horse with blinders at the Kentucky Derby, staying the course regardless of outside voices. EJ, who served mainly as a backup for the Aggies, recently worked out with the Dallas Cowboys, Smith's longtime team.

Smith holds the NFL record for career rushing yards, a mark he set during 15 seasons, primarily with the Cowboys, where he won three Super Bowls. As the league's all-time leading rusher and a Pro Football Hall of Famer, his shadow looms large over EJ's pro aspirations. The father and son discuss all topics openly, underscoring Smith's priority as a parent.

Smith also shared draft-day guidance for EJ: play golf, avoid the television and let the agent deliver the news. He extended his paternal outlook through involvement in Narcan's "Ready to Rescue" initiative against opioid overdoses, drawing from family and teammate experiences with the crisis. The NFL draft begins later this month.