Emmitt Smith exits from Cowboys on good terms

Jet, March 17, 2003

After 13 record-breaking seasons as a Dallas Cowboy, Emmitt Smith is looking for a new team.

The leading rusher in NFL history recently was released from the team, but made it clear he's not ready to retire.

"I still have a love and passion for the game," Smith said. "I think I'm a 1,300-yard back, and I will be out to prove that."

Smith's status has been in doubt for months because of his contract and age. He turns 34 in May and was due a base salary of $7 million next season, with a salary-cap figure of $9.8 million.

He'll still count $4.9 million against next season's cap. Had Dallas waited until June 1, Smith would've counted only $2.8 million against the 2003, $75 million cap, but the timing got Smith on the market for the start of free agency.

"As an organization we have got to start thinking about life without Emmitt at running back," team owner Jerry Jones said during a news conference at the team's training facility in Irving, TX.

"I know that tomorrow morning when I wake up, I'm no longer a Dallas Cowboy," Smith said. "But I'm still a football player. The star may be gone, but the football player is still here."

Last October, Smith passed Walter Payton to top the career-rushing list. He has 17,162 yards and wants to run until he passes 20,000. Smith has won three Super Bowl rings and earned a Super Bowl MVP award since he was drafted by Dallas with the 17th pick in the 1990 draft.

"I've got to turn to the man and say, `Thank you,'" Smith said, his arm draped around the back of Jones' chair. "Sixteen other teams forgot about me. But they know about me today. This man gave me the opportunity."