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Emmitt Smith attends the Premiere of Netflix’s “America’s Team: The Gambler And His Cowboys” at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on August 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

There are few players in Dallas Cowboys history more recognizable than former superstar running back Emmitt Smith.

To this day, Smith remains the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards. He was a one-man wrecking crew during his career.

Lately, Smith’s son has been trying to carve out a football career for himself. E.J. Smith played his college football career at Stanford and Texas A&M. He entered the 2026 NFL Draft, but did not end up being drafted.

Despite not being drafted, it did not take long for the NFL legend’s son to find his first opportunity at the professional level. He is set to fight for a roster spot in training camp and preseason action.

Cowboys Legend Emmitt Smith’s Son Signs With Kansas City Chiefs

Following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, Smith announced on Instagram that he has decided to sign with the Chiefs.

“Excited to officially sign with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent,” Smith wrote.

“Nothing is given. Everything is earned. I’m ready to work, learn, and prove myself every single day. Thank you to my family, coaches, teammates, and everyone who believed in me and pushed me to this moment. The journey hasn’t been easy, but every challenge prepared me for this next step. Grateful is an understatement. All glory to God for this opportunity. Let’s get it Chiefs Kingdom.”

Many Cowboys fans were hoping to see the younger Smith sign with Dallas. Seeing the young running back follow in his father’s footsteps would have been a fun storyline to watch.

While he didn’t sign with the Cowboys, Smith is getting a start with a top-tier franchise. It will be interesting to see what he’s able to do with the opportunity that Kansas City has given him.

What Did E.J. Smith Accomplish in His College Career?

Smith played the first four years of his college football career for the Stanford Cardinal. He followed that up with two seasons for the Aggies.

Throughout the course of his six years at the college level, Smith carried the football 207 times for 969 yards and nine touchdowns. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry and also caught 72 passes for 468 yards and another score.

Whether or not Smith will be able to earn a spot on the regular season roster remains to be seen. He has an uphill battle to making the Chiefs’ roster.

Despite the uphill battle, the son of an NFL legend getting an opportunity is good to see. Hopefully, he’s able to perform well and give himself a fighting chance to either stick with Kansas City or get another shot somewhere else.

Evan Massey Evan Massey is a sports reporter and analyst located in Indianapolis, Indiana who covers the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, and college sports. He has been featured on many publications, including Newsweek, Athlon Sports, ESPN, Yahoo! Sports, Forbes, Bleacher Report, Sporting News, and many others. In his free time, Evan enjoys spending time with his wife and son. More about Evan Massey