Thursday, December 31, 1998

Thursday, December 31, 1998

Emmitt Smith keeps record ball out of Hall for now

By David Moore

The Dallas Morning News

(KRT)

DALLAS -- Emmitt Smith undoubtedly has rushed his way into the Hall of Fame once his career is over.

He may make it to Canton, Ohio, before any of the footballs he carried to break his records.

A representative of the Hall of Fame called this week to ask the Cowboys' running back for the ball he carried to break Marcus Allen's record for career rushing touchdowns. Smith's response?

"I told them they can't have it," he said.

Smith has followed his father's advice and kept every football from every touchdown he's scored in the NFL. The footballs from some of his other significant accomplishments -- 10,000 yards, breaking Tony Dorsett's Cowboys' rushing record, etc. -- also are retained.

Mike McCord, Cowboys' equipment manager, stores all of the footballs in boxes at the team's Valley Ranch practice facility. He estimates there are 150-160 balls in all.

Smith has given just four balls away. Three went to former or current teammates Kevin Smith, Bill Bates and Alfredo Roberts while the fourth went to a Vietnam veteran Smith met in Alaska.

"He gave me a Congressional Medal of Honor when I was in Alaska on a visit," Smith said. "He had one simple request. The first touchdown I scored that year, he wanted me to dedicate it to the people missing in Vietnam, all the veterans.

"I told him I'd do better than that. The first one I scored, I'd send him the football."

That was the ball Smith carried for 60 yards on "Monday Night Football" against the New York Giants to open the 1995 season.

The Hall of Fame may not be so lucky.

"Ah, I might loan it to them," Smith said, softening his stance. "As long as I can get it back."

(c) 1998, The Dallas Morning News.

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