4 Lessons From Emmitt Smith’s Entrepreneurial Journey

Former NFL running back Emmitt Smith had a Hall of Fame career with the Dallas Cowboys, helping the franchise to win three Super Bowls in the mid-90s.

He was a once-a-generation talent, and his accomplishments on the football field are unquestioned. But what’s even more impressive is Emmitt’s entrepreneurial career after he retired from the NFL.

I had the honor and great privilege of sitting down to talk with Emmitt about how he got started as an entrepreneur, his football career, and what life was like after his playing days were over.

Here are 4 entrepreneurial lessons I took away from our conversation…

1. Create Your Own Money

Emmitt started his entrepreneurial journey without even realizing it. When he was just a little boy, he’d take the family lawnmower around his neighborhood and mow his neighbors lawns.

If he wanted to buy new clothes but his parents couldn’t afford it, he’d find ways to create his own money.

That self-starter mentality stuck with him, and he still uses those skills to this day.

2. Education is All You Have

When Emmitt was about 11 years old, he went to one of his football coaches' houses. The home was 3,600 square feet–way bigger than the small apartment his family of seven was sharing.

As Emmitt walked into his coach’s home office, he noticed papers lying around on a slanted board. “What’s this?” he asked. His coach explained to him that he owned his own construction company, and he built houses and commercial buildings.

Later during that visit, his coach told him, “You have talent, and your talent can take you a long way. But someday that talent is going to go away…then all you’ll have left is your education.”

That simple sentence changed Emmitt's view on school and what it could help him achieve in life.

3. Football Was Emmitt’s First Business

Emmitt knew the power of getting a higher education, but his parents couldn’t afford to send him to college. He knew football was the only way to pay for his education.

So football became his first business. His skills on the field got him into college and taught him how to deal with the press and work with older adults. He learned the business of football.

When it was time to enter the business world away from the game, he already had the tools to succeed.

He could handle learning the in’s and out’s of new industries.

He understood how to thrive within teams.

Most importantly, he knew the importance of communication.

4. Ask Questions

When Emmitt was playing in the NFL, he started to ask Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones a ton of questions.

“Hey man, I know how much you’re paying me, and I know how much you’re paying these other 53 guys on the roster, but how much are you really making?”

“Hey, can I come sit in your office during my lunch hour? I want to hear you negotiate contracts.”

“I want to come sit down with you. I'll come in, I'm gonna be real quiet. I won't interrupt nothing that's going on. I just want to hear you conduct business.”

The lessons Emmitt learned from sitting in on Jerry’s meetings were priceless. By choosing to spend time off the field picking the brain of the owner, he set himself up to better understand the business side of football.

There’s a saying, “Silence won’t satisfy your hunger.” When in doubt, ask questions to those who interest you — and anyone you believe may be able to help you on your journey.

Emmitt is a brilliant entrepreneur. He's living proof that regardless of your past experiences or where you start, you have the potential to achieve great success.

You just need to believe it's possible for you.