Dancing With Emmitt Smith

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Burbank, California

An old saying in the TV business states, "television makes stars, stars don't make television." Indeed, that bromide has been repeatedly proven during the years. Television made stars of Michael J, Fox, George Clooney, Bill Cosby, Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Ray Romano, Jerry Seinfeld and scores of others. Yet box office stars such as Bette Midler, Geena Davis, Ray Liotta, Burt Reynolds and Whoopi Goldberg failed miserably in their attempts at cracking the small screen.

The hottest show in TV today is Dancing With The Stars. On a recent Tuesday night, More than 22 million viewers tuned in to watch "stars" like Mario Lopez, Jerry Springer and Joey Laurence quickstep, jitterbug and jive their way toward 15 minutes of celebrity in front of a packed house including cultural icons Eva Longoria, Oscar de la Hoya and George Lopez. Among all the stars in the house, one shines the brightest. A star whose enduring fame preceded him. A human highlight film who quickstepped and jitterbugged his way past the likes of Lawrence Taylor, Bruce Smith and Brian Urlacher to become the most prolific running back in NFL history,

Emmitt Smith's football legacy is well documented. He came out of the University of Florida in 1990 to become pro football's all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards, surpassing legends Jim Brown, Barry Sanders and Walter Payton en route. More importantly, he helped his Dallas Cowboys team win three Super Bowl Championships. He was a league MVP, a Super Bowl MVP and a perennial Pro Bowl pick. Already a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Emmitt Smith is a lock to stand on the steps of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio when he becomes eligible in 2010.

The Emmitt everyone knew led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl Championships.

So one might wonder why would Emmitt Smith – Emmitt-freaking-Smith mind you – risk the embarrassment of making a fool of himself in front of a national TV audience? Why take a chance at tarnishing a legacy? Football already made him into an American idol. Why do this now? For what? Jerry Rice had preceded him on Dancing With The Stars, and Rice did himself proud. But Jerry Rice was a wide receiver – tall, with those long legs that you see on all the dancers. We watched him tiptoe sidelines for years. Of course Jerry could dance. But Emmitt?

The Houston Oilers used to have a running back in the 1960s named Charlie Tolar. Tolar's nickname was "The Human Bowling Ball." Smith is not exactly a human bowling ball, but he's more Tolar than Nuryev, or even Stacy Keibler.

Emmitt Smith was never one to back down from a challenge. His success wasn't a sure thing when he got to the pros. Too small many said. He proved them wrong. Failure and embarrassment was all but certain when he went to the woeful Phoenix Cardinals to end his career. Visions of Willie Mays falling down in the outfield and Ali losing to Trevor Berbick come to mind. But again Smith proved otherwise. In that final 2004 season, he rushed for nine touchdowns and 937 yards, while catching 15 passes and throwing the first touchdown pass of his career.

But now this, Dancing With The Stars? On a show where celebrities dance with professional dancers it was often difficult to differentiate the professional dancers from the celebrity. You doubt my word? Take this test: Name the celebrity: Cheryl Burke or Shaina Mockler – Jesse DeSoto or Willa Ford – Monique Coleman or Kym Johnson. Get my drift? (Mockler, Ford & Coleman are the celebs).

Forget Fred Astaire & Gene Kelly. How many Super Bowls did they win?

When Smith came out on the dance floor, he was perfect in that black and white tuxedo. Just as perfect and natural as he was for all those years in the silver and blue of the Cowboys. And then he flashed his secret weapon. It had been buried beneath that helmet for all those years. The smile to beat all smiles. Now I knew why he was doing it. Because it was fun. And I knew what he knew all along. There was no risk. He couldn't fail. At that very moment he was the guy every guy wanted to be – and every woman wanted to be with.

No wonder he married a former Miss Virginia. Forget Fred Astaire. Forget Gene Kelly. How many Super Bowls did they win? Emmitt had it all. And you know what – he can dance too. He's light and quick on his feet. We shudda known. And did I mention that smile? The judges love him, and the crowds adore him. He's modest and real.

All across America guys will be taking their wives and girlfriends dancing this weekend. All because of Emmitt Smith. And you know what – even if he doesn't beat the pretty boys Mario Lopez or Joey Lawrence – you can chalk up another super performance for Emmitt Smith, the MVP of Dancing With The Stars.