Editing Emmitt Smith (section)

===Arizona Cardinals (2003–2004)===

On March 26, 2003, Smith signed a two-year contract as a [[free agent]] with the [[Arizona Cardinals]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Urban |first=Darren |date=March 26, 2003 |title=Cardinals sign Emmitt Smith to 2-year deal |url=https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/news/cardinals-sign-emmitt-smith-to-2-year-deal/article_3b1f1018-b8bd-5de4-baa0-4e6eb49fb06c.html |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=East Valley Tribune |language=en}}</ref> who were not only looking for Smith to improve their team, but also helped them promote it with their local fan base. Responding to questions about what he could do as a 34-year old running back, he said "I think I'm a 1,300-yard back, and I will be out to prove that." Head Coach [[Dave McGinnis]] announced that Smith would start for the Cardinals.<ref>Goldberg, Dave. [http://newsok.com/article/1921804 "Emmitt Smith signs with Cardinals."] [[The Oklahoman]], March 27, 2003. Retrieved March 12, 2016.</ref> On October 5, in a highly anticipated game, he returned to Texas Stadium to play against the [[2003 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]], but suffered a broken left shoulder blade after [[Safety (gridiron football position)|safety]] [[Roy Williams (safety)|Roy Williams]] hit him in the second quarter.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 6, 2003 |title=Emmitt's left shoulder blade broken |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/id/1632083 |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> The Cardinals lost 24–7, and Smith's 6 carries for minus-1 yards marked the first time in his career he rushed for negative yardage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – October 5th, 2003 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200310050dal.htm |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The injury forced him to miss six games, and he eventually finished the season with 90 carries for 256 rushing yards and averaged just 2.8 yards per carry.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Emmitt Smith 2003 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitEm00/gamelog/2003/ |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

In 2004, new head coach [[Dennis Green]] was hired and named Smith as the team's starter at running back.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Reggie |date=January 8, 2004 |title=Arizona hires Dennis Green as its new head coach |url=https://www.wltx.com/article/sports/arizona-hires-dennis-green-as-its-new-head-coach/101-384242371 |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=WLTX |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 18, 2004 |title=Smith named starter |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2004/06/18/smith-named-starter/28811336007/ |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> He posted 937 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Emmitt Smith 2004 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitEm00/gamelog/2004/ |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He became the oldest player in NFL history ever to throw his first touchdown pass, throwing a 21-yard touchdown strike on a [[halfback option play]] against the [[2004 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]] in Week 4, the only passing attempt of his career.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals – October 3rd, 2004 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200410030crd.htm |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 4, 2004 |title=Smith provides a little extra, throws TD pass |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/smith-provides-a-little-extra-throws-td-pass-1648677.php |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=Chron.com}}</ref>

Smith had 1,193 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, and averaged 3.2 yards per carry, and also had 212 receiving yards, no receiving touchdowns, and averaged 7.3 yards per reception during his two-year stint in Arizona.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Emmitt Smith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitEm00.htm |access-date=August 9, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

Three days before [[Super Bowl XXXIX]] on February 3, 2005, Smith announced his retirement from the NFL.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-02-03 |title=Emotional Emmitt bids farewell |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=1983306 |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> He was not re-signed by the Cardinals and signed a one-day contract for one dollar with the Dallas Cowboys, after which he immediately retired with the team he had played with for most of his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.netglimse.com/celebs/pages/emmitt_smith/index.shtml |title=Emmitt Smith – Biography |work=Netglimse.com |access-date=November 28, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119095930/http://netglimse.com/celebs/pages/emmitt_smith/index.shtml |archive-date=January 19, 2009 }}</ref>