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Emmitt Smith named Florida's prep player of the century
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THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article.../APS/712150704
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- NFL career rushing leader Emmitt Smith, who also set records in his high school days while leading Pensacola Escambia to a pair of state championships, has been named Florida's prep Player of the Century.
The Florida High School Athletic Association named Smith to that honor on Friday and Lakeland High School head coach Bill Castle as Coach of the Century.
The awards were presented to commemorate 100 years of Florida high school football at a halftime ceremony during the 5-A state championship game.
Smith, 38, was unable to attend because of commitments to his present job as an NFL analyst for ESPN, but he addressed fans through a recorded video message.
"When you look at all the players, the great players, who have come from the state of Florida, and to be named, to be mentioned with all those guys, is truly a great honor," Smith said.
A panel of high school experts chose Smith from a 33-player All-Century team announced earlier in the week.
Escambia's team won state titles in 1984 and 1985 with Smith running the ball. His 8,804 career rushing yards is a record that still stands. He also set a record with 45 100-yard games, which ranks second nationally.
A the University of Florida, Smith set several still-standing school records including rushing touchdowns (37), rushing yards per game (126.7) and 100-yard rushing games (23).
In the NFL, he played 13 years with the Dallas Cowboys and two with the Arizona Cardinals. He broke Walter Payton's career rushing record and retired with 18,355 yards. Along the way he helped Dallas win three Super Bowl titles, led the NFL in rushing four times and made eight Pro Bowl appearances. He also won a league MVP and a Super Bowl MPV award.
Castle has a 308-74 record at Lakeland and six state championships. He plans to return for a 33rd season next year.
__________________
for more updates visit http://gryphononcowboys.blogspot.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article.../APS/712150704
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- NFL career rushing leader Emmitt Smith, who also set records in his high school days while leading Pensacola Escambia to a pair of state championships, has been named Florida's prep Player of the Century.
The Florida High School Athletic Association named Smith to that honor on Friday and Lakeland High School head coach Bill Castle as Coach of the Century.
The awards were presented to commemorate 100 years of Florida high school football at a halftime ceremony during the 5-A state championship game.
Smith, 38, was unable to attend because of commitments to his present job as an NFL analyst for ESPN, but he addressed fans through a recorded video message.
"When you look at all the players, the great players, who have come from the state of Florida, and to be named, to be mentioned with all those guys, is truly a great honor," Smith said.
A panel of high school experts chose Smith from a 33-player All-Century team announced earlier in the week.
Escambia's team won state titles in 1984 and 1985 with Smith running the ball. His 8,804 career rushing yards is a record that still stands. He also set a record with 45 100-yard games, which ranks second nationally.
A the University of Florida, Smith set several still-standing school records including rushing touchdowns (37), rushing yards per game (126.7) and 100-yard rushing games (23).
In the NFL, he played 13 years with the Dallas Cowboys and two with the Arizona Cardinals. He broke Walter Payton's career rushing record and retired with 18,355 yards. Along the way he helped Dallas win three Super Bowl titles, led the NFL in rushing four times and made eight Pro Bowl appearances. He also won a league MVP and a Super Bowl MPV award.
Castle has a 308-74 record at Lakeland and six state championships. He plans to return for a 33rd season next year.
__________________
for more updates visit http://gryphononcowboys.blogspot.com/
