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The son of Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith didn’t hear his name called in the first three days of the NFL Draft, but he still managed to end up on an NFL team on Sunday.
EJ Smith, a running back who played with the Texas A&M Aggies and the Stanford Cardinal, reportedly signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent.
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Stanford Cardinal running back EJ Smith runs 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)
It’s almost a perfect fit for Smith as he will try to make the final 53-man roster before the 2026 season begins. He learns under Super Bowl champion head coach Andy Reid and may gain playing time as the Chiefs have 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 have all received carries in the backfield since the start of the 2019 season.
The Chiefs invested in a running back during the offseason, signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to a multi-year contract. The Chiefs drafted Emmett Johnson and will also have Emari Demercado and ShunDerrick Powell on their roster.
Oregon State Beavers linebacker Cory Stover sacks Stanford Cardinal running back EJ Smith during the first half at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon, on Nov. 11, 2023. (Soobum Im/USA TODAY Sports)
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Smith had 969 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in 48 college games between the Aggies and Cardinal.
Emmitt Smith spoke to Pak Gazette Digital about how his son turned pro before the draft. He said at that time his son asked him how to deal with the pressures of living up to his father’s legacy.
“Here’s the thing: You have to run your race and ignore what other people say,” the former Cowboys star said. “Because whatever skill you have, you have to be yourself. And you have to work on being yourself and work on what you need to do to perfect your craft. Just go play. Put on your blinders. Run your race. You like the horses in the Kentucky Derby. And then when the blinders come off, one day you may look up and find yourself in the fucking 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, on November 21, 2010. (Matthew Emmons – USA TODAY Sports)
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“But stay the course, ignore all the noise because it’s noise. And they’re not playing. They’re trying to put their stuff on you and their expectations on you. But if their expectations are different than yours, it doesn’t matter. Just meet all the expectations you’re trying to meet. Everything else doesn’t matter.”
