University Of Florida Class Ring, Smith's college career an afterthought ?
For all the accolades passed Smith's way since he left the University
of Florida after his junior year in 1989, his legacy as a Gator seems
to get overlooked. While Smith's NFL career has obviously been widely
celebrated because of his three Super Bowl rings and his all-time
league rushing record, I don't believe the former Gator All-American
gets his college due.
Long time Gator fans will agree that Smith was their team's saving
grace from 1987-89 but many probably find it hard to look back beyond
all the success of the 1990s.
I contend Smith would be held as the greatest Gator player of all time
had he come around a decade later.
Smith played on some bad to mediocre Florida teams. The Gators of the
late '80s seemed to have had the not-so-lofty goal of reaching the .500
mark each season. A trip to the All-American Bowl probably seemed like
a trip to the Rose Bowl for the hungry Gator Nation in 1988.
Nevertheless, Florida Field was always abuzz in anticipation of what
No. 22 would do on any given Saturday. A 100-yard game by Smith was
usually the only consolation for a double-digit loss.
It all started with a 109-yard rushing performance off the bench
against Tulsa in the second game of Smith's freshman year. And the rest
is history that doesn't get revisited nearly enough.
So here's a recap: Smith still holds Florida's single-season rushing
record (1,599 yards in 1989), the career rushing touchdowns record
(36), the record for the most 100-yard rushing games in a season (9),
the record for the most 100-yard rushing games overall (23) and the
record for the average rushing yards per season (1,309).
And it took Erict Rhett four full seasons to barely overtake the
yardage total Smith piled up in three.
Fast forward to the mid-1990s to find QB Danny Wuerffel shredding
defenses, winning Southeastern Conference Championships, a National
Championship and a Heisman Trophy. Wuerffel not only did it all, but he
did it with humility and grace. He also did it with a surrounding cast
of arguably the best to ever suit up for the University of Florida.
Was Wuerffel the greatest Gator of all? Maybe, but he had the benefit
of throwing to the Reidel Anthonys and Ike Hilliards of the world.
Meanwhile, in 1988, even the guy selling "Coke, ice cold Coke," knew
Smith would get the ball nearly every play, as did the 11-man fronts
set up to stop him. And more times than not, they didn't stop him.
Come next month, most will sit back and picture Emmitt Smith clad in
his navy blue and silver Dallas uniform, barreling over the Buffalo
Bills for another World Championship. As for me, I will close my eyes
and revisit the hush that once fell over Florida Field as fans thought
a play was dead, only to look up see No. 22 still on his feet and
heading for 100 yards once again.