Synopsis
The Emmitt Zone, co-authored by Emmitt Smith and Steve Delsohn, is an autobiography that chronicles the life and early career of the Dallas Cowboys’ star running back, published in 1994. The book offers a candid and detailed account of Smith’s journey from his childhood in Pensacola, Florida, to his rise as one of the NFL’s premier players. Born into a supportive lower-middle-class family, Smith grew up in a loving two-parent household with his two brothers and sister. His passion for football emerged early, sparked by sandlot games and a childhood dream of playing for the Cowboys. Despite financial challenges, his exceptional talent on the field earned him a full-ride scholarship to the University of Florida, marking a significant milestone as the first in his family to attend college. The narrative emphasizes Smith’s strong family values, respect for education, and commitment to staying out of trouble, painting a picture of a grounded individual whose life resembles a Horatio Alger success story.
The book delves into Smith’s high school and college football career, where he faced skepticism about his size—considered too big as a child and too small as a professional. At Escambia High School, he was a standout, rushing for over 8,800 yards and 106 touchdowns, earning recognition as the 1986 national high school player of the year. However, his time at the University of Florida was marked by frustration due to the football program’s instability, leading him to forgo his senior year and enter the 1990 NFL Draft. Selected in the first round by the Cowboys, Smith signed a $3 million contract under coach Jimmy Johnson. The autobiography vividly recounts his transition to the NFL, highlighting his immediate impact as a rookie, leading the league in rushing, and becoming the youngest player to rush for 1,500 yards. Smith’s role in transforming the Cowboys from a 1-15 team to consecutive Super Bowl champions in 1992 and 1993 is a central focus, with particular emphasis on his 1993 season, where he won the NFL rushing title, season MVP, and Super Bowl MVP despite playing through injuries, such as a separated shoulder in a pivotal game against the Giants.
Beyond the gridiron, The Emmitt Zone explores the business side of professional football, including Smith’s contentious contract negotiations with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, whom he portrays as tight-fisted. These negotiations underscore the gritty, competitive nature of the sport as a lucrative profession for stars like Smith. The book also provides insight into his life off the field, including his charitable work through Emmitt Smith Charities and his role as a positive role model. Written early in his career, the narrative captures Smith’s infectious enthusiasm and joie de vivre, though it lacks the depth of later achievements, such as his third Super Bowl win, becoming the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, or his 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction. Critics note the autobiography’s chatty yet somewhat lackluster tone, attributing its simplicity to Smith’s youth and relatively uncontroversial life at the time. Nevertheless, it offers a straightforward and absorbing look at the NFL from the perspective of one of its brightest stars, blending on-field heroics with personal anecdotes about teammates, coaches, and his approach to achieving success.