Grieving Emmitt Smith on hometown Pensacola: 'I haven’t embarrassed it'

BOCA RATON — Dallas Cowboys great Emmitt Smith was back in Pensacola last weekend for the funeral of his father, Emmitt James Smith Jr., who passed away on Feb. 14.

Smith, who still lives in Dallas where he won three Super Bowl championships in the 1990’s, has had a complicated relationship with his hometown.

In a Sports Illustrated cover story in the late 1990s, Smith acknowledged hometown criticism of his professional pursuits in Texas: "But my work is in Dallas. I have to live there. I can't play the Super Bowl in Pensacola, can I? ... I honestly believe people in Pensacola will not be happy until I fall flat on my face."

In 2018, the Pensacola News Journal published an updated examination of Smith's relationship to Pensacola, noting "a segment of mostly older adults bemoan that Smith didn't come back to Pensacola enough, invest enough in Pensacola, greet enough people or sign enough autographs in Pensacola.’’ The story made mention of boxer Roy Jones Jr. being regarded in a shinier light than Smith.

Just days after his father’s funeral, Smith made good on his commitment to be a breakfast speaker at a YMCA fundraiser in Boca Raton Tuesday morning.

During a press conference, Smith, who starred for the Florida Gators from 1987-89, defended himself against those Pensacola charges, calling it “petty.’’

“Man, I don’t know what people may think of me (there),’’ Smith said, “and what their approach to things I’ve done. One thing I haven’t done to my hometown is I haven’t embarrassed it. I have also given contributions to my hometown and am still giving contributions in trying to develop real estate there for a different type of legacy. So I’ve given. I can’t give any more than my blood next.”

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Smith wasn’t specific on where the anti-Emmitt sentiment is coming from but said he's not overly concerned by the pettiness.

“I’m beyond that," he said. "I’ve been called to do something different. I don’t live in my hometown. If they’re mad about that, there’s nothing I can do about that. I live in Texas. But Pensacola is my hometown. It will always be my hometown.

“I just buried my father in my hometown this past weekend. It’s not like I’ve forgotten where I came from. I just don’t live there like some other guys may want to live there.  I live back in Texas where I have a plethora of opportunities before me. I’m not going to turn those opportunities down because I’m building a legacy for my family.’’

Regarding his late father, Smith credited him for introducing his son to football, stating on Twitter: “The man who inspired me to play the game of football has transitioned to be the Lord. I will miss your timely advice but will hold onto the things you and my first love taught me, my brothers and sisters.’’

During his presser, Smith touched on the Cowboys’ falling short in the second round of the playoffs to the 49ers, saying the coaching staff failed to “expand’’ on its “core plays.’’

Smith also said he worries about concussion-ridden Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, just like he worries about himself as he ages because of CTE issues.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Former Gators, Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith defends against Pensacola critics