By JOEY JOHNSTON

The Tampa Tribune

(c) Tampa Bay Times. Originally published Aug. 28, 2006.

ST. PETERSBURG – Emmitt.

Only one word is required to announce the man who remains football royalty in the state of Florida. Mention just the first name and there’s an instant connection.

Before Emmitt Smith became a three-time world champion player for the Dallas Cowboys, before he achieved the NFL’s all-time career rushing record, he was one of the best high school and college running backs the state has ever seen.

“This is where it all began,” Smith said. “That’s what makes this night so special.”

Smith, heading into his second season of retirement from football, was inducted Sunday night into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame during ceremonies at Tropicana Field.

Former University of Miami quarterback Bernie Kosar, who was introduced by daughters Sara (14), Rachel (13) and Rebecca (9), also was inducted, along with three others who weren’t present (former UM and Bucs quarterback Vinny Testaverde, professional golfer Greg Norman and professional tennis player Monica Seles).

“When you mention Florida, you think of great athletes,” said Smith, who was joined by a party of 26 family members and friends, including his parents, Emmitt Jr. and Mary of Pensacola. “To be in that group is something pretty special. I didn’t even know I was up for something like this. When I heard they were putting me in the Florida Sports Hall of Fame, I thought, ‘Cool!’ I had to be here.”

From the time he joined Pensacola Escambia High School’s program as a freshman to his All-American days at the University of Florida to his record-setting tenure with the Cowboys, Smith rushed for nearly 18 miles. That’s roughly the distance from Tampa International Airport to Tropicana Field.

“What Emmitt did was staggering,” said Pat Summerall, the longtime NFL broadcaster who narrated a tribute to the late Curt Gowdy as part of Sunday night’s ceremonies. “He had the best vision I’ve ever seen in a running back. I still have this mental picture of him bursting through the line, then picking his way through the defense.

“I asked him one time, ‘Emmitt, what do you see when you get through the hole?’ He said, ‘I see everything.’ “

Smith doesn’t want to look too far down the line, but he also can see Canton from here.

With an NFL career that speaks for itself – 18,355 rushing yards and 164 touchdowns – Smith is a first-ballot cinch for the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he is eligible in four years.

He got a taste a few weeks ago when attending the induction of quarterback Troy Aikman, his former teammate in Dallas.

“It was pretty amazing to be there for someone I played so many years with,” Smith said. “I got chills. It was something special.

“I don’t want to think about it for myself. I’m just enjoying my family and life outside of football [as a businessman]. But when that time comes, I’m sure it will be emotional.”

Smith will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December (along with Florida State coach Bobby Bowden and former Seminoles quarterback Charlie Ward). He still follows the Gators and predicts Coach Urban Meyer will return the program to national prominence.

“Gator Nation is going to be proud because this is one impressive guy,” Smith said. “I wish I would’ve had the chance to play for a national title in college. That’s what I see ahead for the Gator program. They’ll get back there.”

Kosar did play for a national title at UM – and engineered one of sports’ greatest upsets as a freshman quarterback. To cap the 1983 season, Kosar’s Hurricanes toppled top-ranked Nebraska 31-30 in the Orange Bowl for UM’s initial national championship.

He still catches the game periodically on ESPN Classic.

“I could give the nonchalant answer and say that’s not a big deal … but it is a big deal to be constantly remembered for playing in a game like that,” Kosar said. “I’m actually on ESPN Classic quite a bit, but not for good things. They always show ‘The Drive’ and ‘The Fumble’ [Cleveland’s AFC Championship Game losses to Denver] and, of course, the ‘Hail Flutie’ game [when Boston College’s Doug Flutie beat UM on a last-play miracle pass in 1984].

“Thank goodness they also have me on there for something good. My daughters can see that I wasn’t always on the losing side in a big game.”

Kosar wore his 1993 Super Bowl championship ring from the only season he played in Dallas. He said his personal highlight, in relief of an injured Aikman, was an 86-yard touchdown pass to Emmitt.

“I threw it about 1 yard and Emmitt ran the other 85,” Kosar said. “What can you say about him? Emmitt is Emmitt.”

Indeed he is.

One word is all you need.