IRVING, Texas, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Veteran Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith Sunday became the all-time rushing leader in the National Football League.
Smith, who described himself as a "hammer and hard hat," needed 93 yards in the contest against the Seattle Seahawks to unseat his idol, the late Walter Payton, who rushed for 16,726 yards in 13 years with the Chicago Bears.
Smith admitted he wanted to set the record at Texas Stadium before the Cowboys' home fans. He rushed 55 yards on nine carries in the first quarter.
He broke the record with an 11-yard run with just over nine minutes left in the game.
The game was interrupted briefly by a thunderous standing ovation by a sellout throng at Texas Stadium. Among those on the Dallas sideline to congratulate the former star at the University of Florida were ex-NFL greats Calvin Hill, Darryl Johnston, who worked the game in his capacity as an analyst for Fox Sports, Marcus Allen, and Michael Irvin.
Seattle was able to win the contest, 17-14.
