Today in Sports History: October 27th

With an 11-yard burst through the defensive line of the Seattle Seahawks, Emmitt Smith surpasses Walter Payton’s career total of 16,726 rushing yards, making him the all-time leading rusher in NFL history -- eclipsing the most significant milestone in professional football.

It was a good day overall for Smith, who rushed for 109 yards on 24 carries (both season-highs). He also ran for a touchdown, the 150th of his career, extending his NFL record. The Seahawks won 17-14 on a last-second field goal, yet even that couldn’t dampen the the Cowboys’ spirits.

“I think it says a lot for a running back,” Smith said. “In order to achieve great things in life, you’ve got to be consistent. My goal was not just to have a 2,000-yard season or have a season of greatness, then have a lull the next year. I wanted to be a consistent back over a long period of time. I think that having 1,000-yard seasons over 11 consecutive years has put me in that category. That’s one thing that I have strived for.”

When Smith burst for a first down early in the 4th quarter, he knew he had crossed Payton’s rushing threshold. The game was stopped as flashbulbs illuminated the field and Smith celebrated with his teammates and relatives. He shook hands with Payton’s wife and brother; Walter had died three years earlier.

After the season, the Cowboys, who had fallen on hard times, unceremoniously released Smith from his contract. Emmitt then signed on with the Arizona Cardinals, moving from perhaps the most prestigious franchise in the NFL to the most irrelevant. Smith played two final seasons with the Cardinals before hanging it up at age 35. His time in the desert levied very few accomplishments; he missed the postseason and failed to rush for 1,000 yards in both seasons.