No blocking for Emmitt Smith at Vegas Comedy Roast hoasted by Shaq

Jet, July 22, 2002

Through not used to being hit while running past opponents on the gridiron, Dallas Cowboys' elusive running back Emmitt Smith didn't complain when he recently took several comic hits from friends.

Smith, NFL's future Hall of Famer, was the guest of honor at the "Shaquille O'Neal Comedy Roast II" at Las Vegas' MGM Grand EFX Theatre. An all-star roster teamed up for the 90-minute grilling of Smith that raised money for several charities.

The star-studded roast is the brainchild of three-time NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal. The Los Angeles Lakers center and NBA Finals MVP offered himself as the roastee in the inaugural gala last year that took place during the NBA All-Star Game in Washington, D.C. He created the events as a vehicle to raise funds for Various charities.

"This year, we're going to pay special homage to a courageous running back who will offer himself as a gauntlet, to be roasted by a host of celebrity friends calling themselves roasters," O'Neal said. "Or you could say the reverse--a host of celebrity roasters calling themselves friends."

The comedians that joined for the friendly fibbing in front of a sellout crowd were Jamie Foxx, Michael Colyar, Joe Torry, Guy Torry, Mo'Nique, Dick Gregory and Jeff Ross.

Smith, who will begin his 13th season this fall and has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of the past 11 seasons, needs just 540 yards to top Walter Payton's all-time rushing record. But Smith wasn't stopped in his tracks, as he just laughed along with jokes poking fun at his new commercials and his size compared to the 7-foot-1 O'Neal.

Both Smith and O'Neal work fulltime during the off-season fundraising for different organizations and foundations.

"It's great to see someone like Shaq as committed to raising money for charity as I am," Smith said.

Beneficiaries of the weekend extravaganza include Smith's personal cause, The Open Doors Foundation, an organization that was established to empower America's underserved youth to achieve, and Kidz Education Experience Program (K.E.E.P.) of Los Angeles. The goal of K.E.E.P. is to help and direct innercity youth to attain college degrees.