10 of the greatest Dallas Cowboys of all time

10 greatest Dallas Cowboys of all time

Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys receives congratulations from teammates Michael Irvin (L) and Troy Aikman (R) after breaking the NFL career touchdown record against the Washington Redskins at Texas Stadium 27 December in Irving, Texas. AFP PHOTO/Paul BUCK (Photo by PAUL BUCK / AFP) (Photo by PAUL BUCK/AFP via Getty Images) /

8 of 10

Emmitt Smith (PAUL BUCK/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. Emmitt Smith, RB

He is the NFL’s all-time rushing leader not only in yards (18,355) but attempts (4,409). And no performer in league history has reached the end zone more times via the ground (164). Only fellow Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice (208) has scored more total touchdowns in NFL history than Emmitt Smith (175). The 17th overall pick in the 1990 NFL Draft would soon make an impact on a club that prior to his arrival won one game. Jimmy Johnson’s Cowboys finished 7-9 and were on the verge of quite the run.

As for Smith, he would lead the NFL in rushing yards in four of the next five seasons starting in 1991. He was the catalyst of a balanced offense that featured an imposing offensive line, an accurate quarterback in Troy Aikman and a receiving corps spearheaded by wide receiver Michael Irvin and tight end Jay Novacek.

Besides his regular-season numbers, Smith is also the NFL’s all-time leader with 1,586 yards rushing in the postseason. The eight-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro earned Super Bowl XXVII Most Valuable Player honors when the Cowboys repeated as champions in 1993. He spent the final two years of his career with the Arizona Cardinals and was the ultimate workhorse runner.

Home/Dallas Cowboys