Former Florida Gators and Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith autographed copies of his new book at the University of Florida Bookstore Saturday morning before the Florida football game against Tennessee.
The book, entitled “Game on: Find your Purpose—Pursue your Dream,” represented a new outlook on life, Smith said.
“I have played it up my football career and amassed a bunch of different type of world experiences that would separate a young, growing, somewhat immature man to now I have a family,” Smith said. “The dynamics are totally different.”
The bookstore started selling commemorative bookmark tickets to the signing on Sept. 10 and sold about 500, said Lynne Vaughan, director of the UF Bookstore.
Smith included in the book his 2006 stint on the television show “Dancing with the Stars.” The Pensacola native said the show gave him an opportunity to branch out and exhibit courage, which were two features of his book.
“Dancing with the Stars did a whole lot for me. It crossed lines that I never really knew existed and that is an amazing thing,” Smith said. “It brought me into homes of folks that never really saw me play the game of football, but appreciated what I did on the dance floor.”
Smith played at UF from 1987 to 1989. Danielle Cornell, a close friend of Smith, was able to share a moment in the back of the bookstore with her family and Smith away from the long lines of admiring fans.
Cornell met Smith at UF in theatre appreciation class. The running back was surprised that Cornell knew so much about football, she said.
Although the two have corresponded through phone conversations, they had not seen each other in 23 years.
Cornell referred to Smith as a great person, great family man and a good Christian. She had dinner last night at Mark’s Prime Steakhouse in downtown Gainesville with Smith and his agent.
Smith said the atmosphere in downtown Gainesville was mind-blowing.
During Smith’s time as a player in Gainesville, 88,000 fans would yell his first name and bow down to Smith in the stands. Cornell said the chant at the stadium was better than the wave.
Florida fans criticized Smith for forgetting to mention the university in his Pro Football Hall of Fame speech. Smith said he was forced to cut his original 25 minute speech down to 15 minutes and accidentally cut out any reference of the Gators.
Smith said he forgot to give thanks to his offensive coordinator at UF, Whitey Jordan, who helped Smith gain 1,599 yards in his last season as a Gator in 1989.
The hall of famer was also on the sidelines during Florida’s game against Tennessee.
“For some of those guys, this is their last chance. This is their last year. There is nothing more exciting than having your last year. Also, there is another downside, because you do not know what is coming next,” Smith said. “You do not want to leave anything on the football field.”
The football field allowed Smith to remain a staple in the childhoods of the younger generation, UF student Ashley Quintal said.
Quintal has followed the Cowboys since she was born. She attended the book signing and received Smith’s autograph.
Quintal watched games with her father who wore his No. 22 Cowboys jersey every Sunday.
Although the student was born after Smith’s playing days at UF, she had an idea of what Smith did on the turf at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
“I definitely researched him and he is the leading all-time rusher. He basically beasted as a Gator. He is Emmitt Smith,” Quintal said. “He ran all over everyone.”