Feb 11, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; NFL former player Emmitt Smith during the NFL Alumni Legends Party Presented by USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures at Avalon Hollywood. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Emmitt Smith's all-time rushing record will never be broken

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 10/27/22

Twenty years ago, Emmitt Smith became the NFL's all-time leading rusher. Good luck to anyone who thinks he can top it.

I am beyond grateful to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of becoming the @NFL's All-Time Leading Rusher.

I'd like to thank God, my family, the Jones family, @walterpayton's family, the entire @dallascowboys org, #CowboysNation & my incredible teammates! #EmmittSmith pic.twitter.com/aDpqo2VP5v
— Emmitt Smith (@EmmittSmith22) October 27, 2022

On Oct. 27, 2002, Smith surpassed fellow Pro Hall of Famer Walter Payton. After two decades, the record still stands. No one has come close to breaking it.

Emmitt Smith broke Walter Payton’s career rushing record on this run.

Considering how good a player would have to be, how long they’d have to play, how healthy they’d have to stay, and how much the team would have to win, it’s a record that won’t be broken for a long, long time pic.twitter.com/rXyI3cXFOs
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 22, 2020

In 15 seasons, Smith rushed for 18,355 yards, 1,629 yards more than Walter Payton at No. 2.

When Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram asked another HOF running back, LaDanian Tomlinson, if anyone could break the record, he replied, "Ahh, probably not."

Tomlinson is No.7 on the all-time rushing list, trailing Smith by more than 4,000 yards.

Smith was durable and never suffered a major knee injury. In 240 games over his 15 seasons, he played in 226.

Playing on a great team helped him achieve this durability. The Cowboys won three Super Bowls in the 1990s, so he didn't always have to carry the team.

Styles of play have shifted since Smith's playing days. Teams no longer build around star running backs because the game is more oriented to passing. The last time a running back won an MVP was 2012, when former star Adrian Peterson won the award.

Also, more teams are using multiple running backs, resulting in fewer carries for a lead back.

"I've done something... no man on the planet has ever done," Smith told Hill.

And he's right, no one may ever do it again.

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