Editing Emmitt Smith (section)

===Playing style===
As a runner, Smith was consistently effective, though not dazzling in style. "(Smith) darted, slithered and followed his blockers, and squeezed yard after yard out of plays that didn't have any yards in them. He didn't look especially fast or powerful or blindingly deceptive, yet he couldn't be stopped."<ref name="cnn2" /> Smith was noted for being a very durable back with excellent vision, tremendous leg strength, and great balance, and was known as one of the best second-effort runners ever.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.sportingnews.com/nfl/100/68.html |title=TSN Presents – Football's 100 Greatest Players |publisher=Archive.sportingnews.com |access-date=December 26, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090117144258/http://archive.sportingnews.com/nfl/100/68.html |archive-date=January 17, 2009 }}</ref> Smith was also a reliable receiver and an excellent blocker in pass protection.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kuharsky |first=Paul |date=November 20, 2008 |title=Johnson, Slaton proving capable in pass protection – AFC South |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/2515/johnson-slaton-proving-capable-in-pass-protection |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021134722/https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/2515/johnson-slaton-proving-capable-in-pass-protection |archive-date=October 21, 2021 |access-date=December 26, 2008 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

During his career, he was often compared to [[Detroit Lions]] Hall of Fame running back [[Barry Sanders]], as both men were extremely successful for their respective teams and combined for eight rushing titles during the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Rushing Yards Year-by-Year Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rush_yds_year_by_year.htm |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Some give Smith the edge for his consistent "north-south" style that took full advantage of Dallas' talented [[offensive line]], while some think Sanders' spectacular running style with sudden changes of direction made him a better back.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n29_v221/ai_19625066/pg_1?tag=artBody;col1 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711063255/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n29_v221/ai_19625066/pg_1?tag=artBody;col1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 11, 2012 |title=Running debate: Barry or Emmitt? {{pipe}} Sporting News, The {{pipe}} Find Articles at BNET |publisher=Findarticles.com |access-date=December 26, 2008 |first=Tim |last=Keown |year=1997 }}</ref> Observers agree, though, that both Smith and Sanders were among the best running backs in league history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brandt |first=Gil |title=Gil Brandt's 25 greatest NFL running backs of all time |url=http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap3000000815786/gil-brandt's-25-greatest-nfl-running-backs-of-all-time |access-date=December 3, 2018 |website=NFL.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=List Ranker – Rank Em: NFLs Greatest Running Backs – ESPN |url=http://www.espn.com/sportsnation/rank/_/listId/1775/versionId/1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203104048/http://www.espn.com/sportsnation/rank/_/listId/1775/versionId/1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 3, 2018 |website=ESPN |access-date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=McVey |first=Rob |date=March 1, 2021 |title=25 Greatest Running Backs in NFL History |url=https://athlonsports.com/nfl/25-greatest-running-backs-nfl-history#1 |access-date=August 9, 2023 |newspaper=Athlonsports.com &#124; Expert Predictions, Picks, and Previews |language=en}}</ref>

Although Smith is the only player to tell [[John Madden]] that ''[[Madden NFL]]'' rated his skills too high,<ref name="snider20080806">{{cite news | url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-08-05-madden-game-main_N.htm | title=As John Madden would say, 'Boom!' His NFL game turns 20 | work=USA Today | date=August 6, 2008 | access-date=January 25, 2015 | author=Snider, Mike}}</ref> he was ranked No. 68 on ''[[The Sporting News]]''' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players in 1999,<ref>{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051105085403/http://archive.sportingnews.com/nfl/100/list-complete.html | archive-date=November 5, 2005 | url=http://archive.sportingnews.com/nfl/100/list-complete.html | title=TSN Presents – Football's 100 Greatest Players |work=The Sporting News |date=1999 |access-date=December 26, 2008}}</ref> three years before becoming the game's all-time rushing yards leader.