NFL legend Emmitt Smith has offered poignant advice to his son, EJ Smith, a running back hoping for NFL draft selection. EJ has previously spoken about the pressure of living up to his father's esteemed name, the league's all-time leading rusher.
Recalling a conversation with his son, Emmitt Smith explained his core message: "You gotta run your race, and you gotta disregard what other people are saying." He emphasized the importance of focusing on personal expectations rather than external pressures. "Put your blinders on. Run your race," Smith advised.
Beyond football, Emmitt Smith also discussed his involvement with Narcan's "Ready to Rescue" initiative, highlighting the importance of addressing the opioid epidemic, a cause close to his heart due to personal experiences with family and former teammates.
For draft day itself, Smith's advice is simple: "Go play golf, go hang out, don't even look at the damn TV." He believes focusing on the process and letting his agent handle the communication will alleviate unnecessary stress.