E.J. Smith, son of NFL legend Emmitt Smith, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs after going undrafted, aiming to carve out his own path in the league. The 23-year-old running back hopes to step out of his father’s shadow and make a name for himself.
During his college career, E.J. played at Stanford and Texas A&M, accumulating 969 rushing yards and nine touchdowns over 48 games. His journey through college football spanned six seasons, where he primarily served as a rotational back.
Despite not being selected in the NFL Draft, E.J. expressed excitement about joining the Chiefs. “Excited to officially sign with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent,” he tweeted shortly after the announcement.
His father, Emmitt Smith—who holds the record as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher—has always emphasized the importance of forging one’s own path. “You gotta run your race, and you gotta disregard what other people are saying,” he advised E.J. during his college years.
As he joins the Chiefs’ roster, E.J. will work under DeMarco Murray, who famously broke Emmitt’s single-season rushing record in 2014. This connection adds an interesting layer to E.J.’s journey as he learns from a fellow running back who understands the pressures of living up to a legendary legacy.
The next chapter for E.J. begins amid high expectations but also immense pressure. He hopes to prove himself on a team that has made significant strides in recent years.
Reflecting on his journey thus far, E.J. stated, “The journey hasn’t been easy, but every challenge prepared me for this next step.” He remains grateful for this opportunity—”Grateful is an understatement. All glory to God for this opportunity,” he added.
While many anticipated him signing with the Dallas Cowboys—the team where his father spent most of his career—E.J.’s choice of the Chiefs signals a desire to create his own unique legacy in football.
