Emmitt's gonna retire?
 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1981383

Running back Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time leader rushing, will retire this offseason, sources told ESPN's John Clayton and Chris Mortensen.

A league source told Mortensen it was possible that Smith could announce his retirement Thursday in Jacksonville.

Smith, 35, played 13 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys, and the last two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He becomes an unrestricted free agent in March.

Smith was in Jacksonville Monday, where he was at a dinner to honor past Super Bowl MVPs. When asked about retiring, he told the Dallas Morning News that he wanted to retire as a Cowboy, but stopped short of saying he would retire this offseason.

"I will, in some way, shape or form," Smith said about retiring as a Cowboy. "There's always a chance (of not playing in 2005). Somebody has got to want me, and if they don't want me, then what? ... I want to play. I want to do what I want to do."

Smith may sign some sort of ceremonial one-day deal with Dallas. In recent years, other veteran star players have returned to the teams where they spent their glory days.

The St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press speculated that Smith could join an investment group that is trying to buy the Vikings.

After an injury-plagued first season with the Cardinals in 2003, Smith rushed for 937 yards and nine touchdowns last season in 15 starts.

I'll raise you.

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Cowboys: Smith wants to retire a Lone Star

by Fanball Staff - Fanball.com
Tuesday, February 1, 2005

News
Free agent running back Emmitt Smith said Monday that when he retires, he intends to do so as a member of the Cowboys. "I will, in some way, shape or form," Smith told the Dallas Morning News. However, Smith is not ready to close the door on playing another season. "There's always a chance (of not playing in 2005)," Smith continued. "Somebody has got to want me, and if they don't want me, then what? I want to play. I want to do what I want to do." Smith played 13 seasons with the Cowboys before joining the Cardinals in 2003.

Views
A Pioneer Press report claims that Smith intends to retire on Tuesday and will then announce that he has joined the investment group fronted by Arizona businessman Reggie Fowler, who is attempting to purchase the Vikings. Unless Emmitt was playing opossum on Monday or had a dramatic change of heart, a retirement announcement will not be made on Tuesday.

Anyone else question the timing of this leak? I mean, right in the middle of "Terrell Owens Playing in the Superbowl Update #6,917". I am miffed.

According to Donald Driver on Sporting News Radio, Favre's hanging up his boots this offseason.

Emmitt could back up Julius. He couldn't do any worse than Eddie George.

No doubt, but I really doubt that Emmitt wants to be anyones backup...

True. I just don't like that sign a one-day deal thing. His last jersey worn would still be a Cardinals one, I rather him go out with the star on his helmet.

On local radio they just said that when one of the Cowboys beat writers called up Emmitt and asked him about this Emmitt said, "Did you see my year last year? Do you think I'm ready to retire?"

ESPNEWS just ran this.

One of two Jimmy Johnson-era Cowboys that I like. Aikman is the other. The rest can go straight to hell. Tell them Don Beebe sent 'em there!

The article:

Emmitt says he's not done yet

03:45 PM CST on Tuesday, February 1, 2005


By JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR / The Dallas Morning News



JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, vigorously denied reports Tuesday that he was about to announce his retirement.

"Did you see my year last year? Do you think I'm ready to retire?" Smith asked. Smith is here for Super Bowl XXXIX festivities and, Monday night, took part in a dinner honoring past Super Bowl MVPs.

Smith ran for 937 yards and nine touchdowns in 15 games in 2004, his second season playing for the Arizona Cardinals. He now has 18,355 career rushing yards in 15 NFL seasons.

One online report Tuesday said Smith would announce his retirement on Wednesday and become part of a group trying to purchase the Minnesota Vikings.

ESPN.com reported an announcement could come as soon as Thursday.

Eugene Parker, Smith's longtime agent, declined comment. Werner Scott, Smith's Dallas-based marketing representative, could not be reached for comment.

Darren Woodson, a close friend of Smith's, said they talked retirement in December when Woodson was making plans to end his 13-year NFL career.

"I sort of knew what was happening, but I didn't know it would come this soon," Woodson said. "Emmitt Smith epitomizes success and a professional attitude. He's had a great career and accomplished everything a player would want."

I have a gut feeling he's not going to do this - I think he wants to get to 20,000 yards, and, more importantly, I think he thinks he CAN.

Farve? I think he's done, yes.

I think he could end up retiring because no team would end up wanting him on the roster. It depends on what happens as far as drafting, free agency, and most importantly, training camp injuries. Most teams want a running back who can break off a big gain so teams don't have to drive the length of the field and for the most part, that's no longer Emmitt's game. Hopefully some team will bring him in as a guy who will get 5-10 carries a game, because I think he could still be fairly productive in short bursts, particularly if he's filling in for a big back or other running back with not much in the way of moves.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1983306

It's official.

:(

He'll be missed by many.

Am I the only one who thinks the whole "sign a one-day contract to retire as a ..." thing is sort of ridiculous?

no sir

nope. it's very silly.

I'm glad Emmit gave praise to Moose. If it wasn't for him and the Great Wall of Dallas OL he wouldn't have been nearly as successful as he was.

BTW...Always found it cool that Emmit and I were born about the same time in the same hospital (I think he was born a few days before me). Guess I can say I met him, but then we both had a load in our diapers at the time.

While I didn't find it silly (I almost can agree with the thoughts behind it.) . It did make me wonder what the Cardinals organization and fans felt about it.

Could it, or would it be taken as some sort of insult?

I would disagree with the notion that there are Cardinals fans.

I don't think so... the Cardinals (and their fans) knew they were getting Emmitt at the end of his career... this isn't much of a surprise. He made his mark in Dallas... and in 20 years, very few people will remember the time he spent in Arizona.