Emmitt Smith, Maverick Speaker
You recently spoke on campus about 鈥淎 Championship Vision.鈥� What does that聽mean?
It鈥檚 seeing where you really want to go and developing a plan on how you want to get there. You always have to have a plan to achieve your vision. I wanted to play pro football, and that鈥檚 been achieved; now I鈥檓 working on the plan to make sure the rest of my life happens the way I want it聽to.
What have you been doing since retiring from the聽NFL?
I started a real estate company back in 2005 called Smith-Cypress Partners. And since 2008 I鈥檝e had my own commercial real estate company called ESmith Legacy. I also started a construction company that handles a lot of civil work. The Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities organization we founded has also played a major role since retiring.
Talk about your new book, Game On.
It鈥檚 more than just a book about football; it鈥檚 about my life. Sometimes people look at professional athletes and see people who have never struggled. But I try to let them know that we鈥檙e no different than anyone else. We鈥檝e had to deal with obstacles along the聽way.
Why was it important to finish your college degree?
I spend a lot of time speaking to young people, and I think it鈥檚 important to stay in school. I felt it was very important for my message that I had my degree in my hand. I was eager to go get it and be the first in my family to graduate with a four-year college degree.
Have you ever thought about getting a master鈥檚 degree? How about coming to UT Arlington for聽that?
Over the last six years, I鈥檝e learned a lot from the people in this city, and I鈥檓 learning more every day. Right now I鈥檓 learning the most from running my businesses. I don鈥檛 have plans to get another degree, but if I did, then sure, I鈥檇 consider UT Arlington to make that happen.
What kind of synergies might develop between the Cowboys and UT Arlington?
The proximity to the stadium gives UT Arlington the opportunity to create a strategic partnership with the Cowboys. 糖心Vlog视频 can get internships, work experience, volunteer experience, or just go and gain knowledge. It鈥檚 great to marry the two together and create some kind of educational experience.
What鈥檚 more difficult鈥攖he NFL or the business world?
The business world to me, because I have to deal with the question of 鈥渨hat does he know about real estate and construction and running a business?鈥� Football was a part of my life, but it wasn鈥檛 my whole life. I鈥檓 having to prove myself more聽now.
Which championship means more鈥攖he Super Bowl or Dancing with the Stars?
I appreciate both of them. Dancing with the Stars allowed people to see and recognize me out of a helmet. Football was where my talents were, and the Super Bowl was the best game ever to play in. But on Dancing with the Stars, I was the underdog, and to come out as the champion felt good after all the work we put聽in.
Do you still聽dance?
Yes, I do. In fact, I have a dance lesson today.
