Emmitt James Smith III (born May 15, 1969 in Pensacola, Florida) is a former American football player. He played for the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals and is the NFL`s all-time rushing leader, a record formerly held by his childhood hero, Walter Payton. He is the only running back to ever win a Super Bowl championship, the NFL Most Valuable Player award, the NFL rushing crown, and the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award all in the same season (1993). He is also one of four running backs to lead the NFL in rushing three or more consecutive seasons, joining Steve Van Buren, Jim Brown, and Earl Campbell. While playing for the Cowboys, Smith, Troy Aikman, and Michael Irvin were the "Triplets" who led their team to three Super Bowl championships during the 1990s.

Smith is a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity at Florida and returned to school during the off-season to take classes. He received his degree in Public Recreation from the University of Florida in May, 1996. Smith married former Miss Virginia USA beauty queen Patricia Southall on April 22, 2000. Their son, Emmitt IV, was born on Smith`s 33rd birthday, May 15, 2002. Smith has a daughter, Regan by ex-girlfriend Hope Wilson and a stepdaughter, Jasmine, Southall`s daughter from her previous marriage to comedian Martin Lawrence.