Emmitt Smith Joins ESPN as NFL Studio Analyst

Former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith has joined ESPN as an NFL studio analyst. The National Football League's all-time leading rusher and three-time Super Bowl champion will appear on both Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown, while also providing regular insight and analysis on ESPN Radio and ESPN.com.

On Sunday NFL Countdown (Sundays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ET), Smith will work alongside host Chris Berman, analysts Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Ron Jaworski, and reporter Chris Mortensen from ESPN's Bristol, Conn., studios. Smith will then travel to the site of ESPN's Monday Night Football games each week for Monday Night Countdown (7-8:30 p.m.), where he will work with Berman, Jackson, Mortensen and analyst Steve Young.

"Emmitt reached the pinnacle of individual and team success as an NFL player, and is among football's most well-known personalities. His knowledge of the NFL and ability to relate to the fans will bring viewers closer to the game as part of our Sunday and Monday shows," said Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, remote and studio production.

Smith added: "I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge and insight of football with the fans of the NFL. I am excited to be joining the ESPN family, particularly the highly respected Countdown crews."

Smith was a first round pick in the 1990 NFL Draft and emerged as the cornerstone of the Cowboys' offense for 12 seasons. The eight-time Pro Bowler was the first player in NFL history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in 11 consecutive seasons and on October 27, 2002 he surpassed Walter Payton as the NFL's all-time leading rusher. Smith finished his 14-year career with 18,355 rushing yards and led the NFL in rushing four times; he was the league MVP in 1993, MVP of Super Bowl XXVIII and helped guide the Cowboys to three Super Bowl titles. His 175 total touchdowns ranks second in NFL history.

Smith played his final two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (2003 and 2004) before signing a one-day contract in February 2005 so he could officially retire as a Dallas Cowboy. In September 2005, Smith was added to the Cowboys Ring of Honor, and he was inducted into the Ring of Honor at his alma mater, the University of Florida, in the fall of 2006. Smith will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on July 21, and he will be eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

Smith, who will continue to reside in Dallas, served as an NFL Network studio analyst in 2005 and also appeared as a guest college football analyst during Fox's BCS National Championship pre-game coverage in January.