NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
The son of Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith didn’t hear his name called during the first three days of the NFL Draft, but finally made it to an NFL team on Sunday.
EJ Smith, a running back who played with the Texas A&M Aggies and Stanford Cardinal, has reportedly signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Stanford Cardinal running back EJ Smith runs with the ball past Sacramento State defensive lineman Brandon Knott during the second quarter at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California on September 16, 2023. (Sergio Estrada/USA TODAY Sports)
This is almost a perfect spot for Smith as he will attempt to make the final 53-man roster before the start of the 2026 season. He is learning under the tutelage of Super Bowl champion head coach Andy Reid and could earn playing time as the Chiefs appeared to have gone through several running backs since their dynastic run began in 2019.
Damien Williams, LeSean McCoy, Darrel Williams, Darwin Thompson, Spencer Ware, Anthony Sherman, De’Anthony Thomas, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Le’Veon Bell, DeAndre Washington, Michael Burton, Jerick McKinnon, Derrick Gore, Isiah Pacheco, Ronald Jones II, La’Mical Perine, Kareem Hunt, Samaje Perine, Carson Steele, Elijah Mitchell, Dameon Pierce and Brashard Smith all received runs in the field fullback since the start of the 2019 season.
The Chiefs invested in a running back this offseason, signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to a multi-year deal. The Chiefs selected Emmett Johnson in the draft and will also have Emari Demercado and ShunDerrick Powell on their depth chart.
Oregon State Beavers linebacker Cory Stover sacks Stanford Cardinal running back EJ Smith during the first half at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon on November 11, 2023. (Soobum Im/USA TODAY Sports)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Smith totaled 969 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in 48 college games between the Aggies and Cardinal.
Emmitt Smith spoke to PK Press Club Digital about his son turning pro before the draft. He said that at the time his son asked him how to handle the pressures of living up to his father’s legacy.
“Here’s the thing: You have to run your race and you have to ignore what other people say,” the former Cowboys star said. “Because you have every ability that you have, you have to be yourself. And you have to work on being yourself and work on what you have to do to perfect your craft. Just go play the game. Put your blinders on. Run your race. You love the Kentucky Derby horses. And then when the blinders come off, you might look up one day and find yourself in the damn Super Bowl. You never know.
Former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith shakes hands with owner Jerry Jones after receiving his Hall of Fame ring at halftime of the game against the Detroit Lions in Arlington, Texas, November 21, 2010. (Matthew Emmons – USA TODAY Sports)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
“But stay the course, ignore all the noise because it’s noise. And they’re not playing. They’re trying to put their business and their expectations on you. But if their expectations are different from yours, it doesn’t matter. Just meet whatever expectations you’re trying to meet. Everything else doesn’t matter.”
