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Emmitt Smith through the years
It was this day in history, back in 2002, when Dallas Cowboys' running back Emmitt Smith became the NFL's all-time rushing leader, surpassing Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton.

Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (22) finds running room for 9 yards against the Houston Texans in the first quarter Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Dallas Cowboys' Emmitt Smith (22) runs past New York Giants' Thomas Randolph (23) for a touchdown in the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 17, 1995, at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Cowboys beat the giants 21-20. (AP Photo/L.M. Otero)

President Clinton holds a Dallas Cowboys jersey bearing Emmitt Smith's number he received from the Cowboys running back, left, during a ceremony at the White House Tuesday Feb. 13, 1996 where the president honored the Super Bowl XXX champions. (AP Photo/Ruth Fremson)

Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (22) leaps over Washington Redskins defender Leomont Evans (35) as he scores a third quarter touchdown in Irving, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 28, 1996. Smith ran for 155 yards, and Dallas won 21-10. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)

Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (22) crosses the goal line in front of Atlanta Falcons linebacker Keith Brooking in the first quarter, Monday, Sept. 20, 1999. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)

San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys at Candlestick Park Sunday, January 17,1993. Cowboys beat 49ers 30-20. Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (22). (AP Photo/Al Golub)

Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith poses with the trophy for Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XXVIII during a news conference in Atlanta, Ga., Monday, Jan. 31, 1994. Smith and his teammates defeated the Buffalo Bills Sunday in the Georgia Dome. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 23: Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith #22 poses for his ProLine Profile portrait on March 23, 1992. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (22) carries the football during the Cowboys 38-6 loss to the Detroit Lions in the 1991 NFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 5, 1992 at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac Michigan. 1991 NFC Divisional Playoff Game - Dallas Cowboys vs Detroit Lions - January 5, 1992 (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (22) before Super Bowl XXVII, a 52-17 Cowboys victory over the Buffalo Bills on January 31, 1993, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (22) carries the ball during Super Bowl XXVII, a 52-17 victory over the Buffalo Bills on January 31, 1993, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (22) carries the ball during Super Bowl XXVII, a 52-17 victory over the Buffalo Bills on January 31, 1993, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

Former Dallas Cowboys great Emmitt Smith, right, poses with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones after Smith's enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith waves to fans as he is escorted from the playing field after a post game ceremony in Irving, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2002. Smith broke the all-time NFL rushing record during the game. Seattle won, 17-14. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith goes over the middle on the Seattle Seahawks line into the end zone on a one-yard run for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2002 in Irving, Texas. Seattle won, 17-14. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)

Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith celebrates breaking the all-time career rushing record in a game against the Seattle Seahawks in Irving, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 27. 2002. Smith broke the NFL's career rushing record with an 11-yard run in the fourth quarter. The run gave the 33-year-old Smith 16,728 career yards, passing Walter Payton's mark of 16,726 yards. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)

Arizona Cardinals running back Emmitt Smith, right, slips past the reach of St. Louis Rams' Ryan Pickett, left, in the first quarter Sunday, Dec. 19, 2004, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Arizona Cardinals running back Emmitt Smith laughs after throwing his first career touchdown during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Oct. 3, 2004 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. Smith, the NFL's career rushing leader, is retiring after 15 years, according to two sources within the NFL. Smith, who starred for the Dallas Cowboys for 13 seasons and spent the last two years with Arizona, will make the announcement at 4 p.m., according to the sources, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.. (AP Photo/Rick Hossman)

Former Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys running back Emmit Smith, left, touches a Dallas Cowboys helmet during a news conference where he announced his retirement at the Prime F. Osborn Convention Center in Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday Feb. 3, 2005. To the right is Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

Former Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys running back Emmit Smith speaks during a press conference where he announced his retirement from NFL at the Prime F. Osborn Convention Center in Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday Feb. 3, 2005. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson, left, hands Florida running back Emmitt Smith his No. 22 jersey as the Cowboys 1990 No. 1 draft pick is introduced at the Cowboys training facility in Irving, Texas, in this April 22, 1990 file photo. NFL career rushing leader Emmitt Smith is retiring after 15 years, two sources within the NFL said. Smith, who starred for the Dallas Cowboys for 13 seasons and spent the last two years with Arizona, will make the announcement in the afternoon at the site of the Super Bowl, according to the sources, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. (AP Photo/David J. Sams)

University of Florida's Emmitt Smith breaks between UCLA's James Washington, Carnell Lake and Ben Hummel (45) Friday in the first quarter of Honolulu's Aloha Bowl, December 25, 1981. (AP Photo)