American football: Smith brings an end to record-breaking career

Emmitt Smith officially announced his retirement yesterday, bringing to an end 15 sparkling years in NFL that he leaves as the all-time leading rusher and a three-time Super Bowl champion.

Smith spent 13 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys before playing the past two years with the Arizona Cardinals and it was perhaps fitting that he addressed the media with a Cowboys helmet in front of him.

The 35-year-old signed a ceremonial contract with Dallas so he could retire as a member of the team where he played his best football.

"I think it's only fitting for me to leave the game of football and move on with my life and retire as a Dallas Cowboy," Smith said in Jacksonville, Florida, site of Monday's Super Bowl.

"It's been a tremendous ride," Smith said. "I've given everything I possibly can to the game."

Smith helped lead the Cowboys to three Super Bowl titles in the 1990s, piled up 18,355 yards rushing and scored 164 rushing touchdowns during his career.

Both are NFL records.

He gained 1000 or more yards for 11 consecutive seasons between 1991 and 2001, and just missed the mark in 2004 when he had 937 yards with the Cardinals.

Smith led the league in touchdowns and rushing three times. His most productive season came in 1995 when he rushed for 1773 yards and scored 25 touchdowns.