All-time rushing yards and rushing touchdowns leader Emmitt Smith retired from football after the 2004 NFL season. If one AFC club got their way, however, Smith would’ve come back for one more season in 2005.
Smith spent his first 13 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, which spanned from 1990 to 2002. After Smith was released by America’s Team, he joined the Arizona Cardinals in 2003 free agency on a two-year pact.
In 2004, a 35-year-old Smith rushed for 937 yards and nine touchdowns, proving that he still had productive football. However, Smith decided to retire after 15 seasons.
During an interview with ESPN’s Todd Archer, Smith revealed a phone call that he received from his agent at the time, the late Eugene Parker. As it turned out, the Buffalo Bills were interested in signing the three-time Super Bowl champion:
“I said, ‘You know, Gene, I’m done, bro. I’m going home. I’m not going to move my family, have my family chase my career and me chasing after something that I already know is behind me. I’m going back to Dallas and get started on my next phase of my life.”
Nearly two decades after his retirement, Smith still holds the records for most career rushing yards (18,355) and rushing touchdowns (164). Considering that most star running backs in today’s era are usually past their prime before the age of 30, it’s safe to assume that Smith’s records will stand until the end of time.
The Bills’ ground game turned out to do just fine without the presence of the Hall of Famer in 2005. Willis McGahee was the lead back that year, and he finished with 1,247 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
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Smith was drafted 17th overall by the Cowboys in 1990. He formed the “Triplets” trio alongside wide receiver Michael Irvin and quarterback Troy Aikman. All three stars enjoyed Hall of Fame careers, leading Dallas to Super Bowl championships in the 1992, 1993 and 1995 seasons.
Smith rushed for over 1,000 yards in 11 of his 15 NFL seasons. He won 1993 MVP honors and led the league in rushing yards four times.
