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IRVING, Texas -- Quotes following Emmitt Smith breaking
Walter Payton's NFL career rushing record Sunday:
"The Lord has blessed me with talent, instilled me with the
drive and determination to be successful and to want to play the
game with love and passion. I feel love and passion for you guys as
well." -- Smith, addressing fans in his opening remarks during
postgame ceremony.
"This is as great of a moment for me and my family as it is for
you." -- Eddie Payton, Walter's brother, to Smith.
"This is about heart, about character." -- Cowboys owner Jerry
Jones.
"I-formation, two receivers right. Second-and-7 from at the
Dallas 30. Hutchinson handoff Smith at left guard -- 35-,
40-yard-line! (pause) Right on the mark! That should do it! Move
over, Sweetness! Make a place for Emmitt!" -- Longtime Cowboys
play-by-play announcer Brad Sham's call of the record-breaking run.
"No one is more worthy to succeed Walter Payton as the all-time
NFL rushing leader than Emmitt Smith. He kept a photo of Walter
Payton in his high school locker and then came to embody the
qualities -- both athletic and personal -- that were so admired in
Walter. Now Emmitt takes Walter's place in the record book, and the
NFL could not be more proud." -- NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
"I was kind of sorry to see it go, but I guess it was time. If
it had to be anyone, I'm glad it's him." -- Jarrett Payton, son of
the late Walter Payton.
"He's such a good husband and father that I forget how good of
a football player he is, and how hard he's worked to get here," --
Smith's wife, Pat Smith.
"We all want to thank Emmitt for allowing us to enjoy every
yard." -- former teammate Michael Irvin.
"I speak for all the guys who have blocked for Emmitt Smith. We
did it because of what kind of person he was, not just what kind of
football player he was. You talk about great players making
everyone around them better. That couldn't be more true of anybody
than Emmitt Smith." -- former fullback Daryl Johnston, now a TV
color analyst.
"Thirteen years ago, a rookie walked into my room. He was my
roomate. We talked about the things we wanted to accomplish on the
football field.
"The first thing he said to me -- and we were not a good team at
the time -- was he wanted to win Super Bowls for you guys. And he
did that.
"He said he wanted to win rushing titles, and he did that. "He
said he wanted to win MVPs, and he did that. "His last goal, which
I thought was a fantasy, was to become the all-time leading rusher
in the NFL. And today he did that." -- Irvin.
"He personifies everything that's good about football. He's a
gentleman, a good guy and a great player." -- Seattle coach Mike
Holmgren.
"He wanted to be a legend in the game. He's accomplished
that." -- Marcus Allen, who's seventh on the all-time rushing
yardage list.
"I'm glad it's behind me." -- Smith.
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Sweet As Can Be
