Editor’s note: The following column from the Best of West collection was originally published in the Port Arthur News on Aug. 14, 1996.

To fully appreciate the significance of Emmitt Smith’s recent contract bonanza, it is necessary to do a quick study of the NFL draft of 1990. Smith, on April 22, 1990, had to wait several hours for the telephone call informing him he’d been selected.

Sixteen players, including the likes of Blair Thomas, Keith McCants, Chris Singleton and Percy Snow, were taken before Jimmy Johnson traded up to grab one of the greatest difference makers in the history of sport.

One can’t help but wonder how the script for Johnson, Jerry Jones, the Cowboys and Smith might have been different had somebody drafting above Dallas held the junior running back from Florida in higher esteem. Good thing for all involved that the wise guys evaluating talent around the league didn’t perceive Smith as being fast enough or nifty enough to be something special as a pro.

Their opinion, despite Smith’s three prolific years at the University of Florida, seemed to mirror recruiting guru Max Emfinger’s evaluation when he was coming out of Escambia High School. In his report after Smith’s exploits earned him national Prep Player of the Year from Parade Magazine, Emfinger wrote: “Emmitt is not a franchise back. He’s a lugger, not a runner.”

And now he’s lugging $48 million to the bank.

It is to Johnson’s everlasting credit — and aren’t’ you shocked Jerry didn’t mention Jimmy’s vision in Monday’s press conference — that he was shrewd enough to see in Smith what veteran NFL observers didn’t. And, remember, JJ is, was and always has been a speed freak.

But he recognized a winning quality in Smith that others didn’t.

Johnson knew then what the world knows now, namely that Emmitt J. Smith III’s combination of skill, character and searing desire to be the best translated into a package that reduced the importance of his 40-yard time. What the coach saw was a guy who was hard to get off his feet, a guy who ran tougher in the fourth quarter than the first, a guy who had an uncanny knack for getting into the end zone.

He’s arrived in the end zone so often as a Cowboy, of course, that sometime during the 1996 season he’ll surpass Walter Payton as the NFL’s all-time touchdown leader. Barring a crippling injury, he’s five seasons away from erasing Payton’s career rushing record of 16,726 yards.

Along the way, he’ll be passing up the likes of faster, prettier runners like Eric Dickerson, Tony Dorsett and O.J. Simpson.

Smith, though, is unique in many ways, not the least of which is his likeability. A perfect example was a hone call I received Tuesday from a fellow in Los Angeles who, believe it or not, is a diehard Oilers fan. The guy absolutely hates the Cowboys, but has the utmost regard for Smith.

One of the first things he said was how happy he was over Jerry Jones rewarding No. 22 with the kind of contract he deserves.

In an era when fans for the most part resent the money athletes are making, I’d bet that was a typical reaction toward Smith’s bonanza. Like Michael Jordan, the man commands tremendous across-the-board respect. Like Jordan, he’s a terrific role model. Like Jordan, his work ethic is second to none. Like Jordan, you don’t have to worry about complacency sitting in because of financial security.

Emmitt comes to play and do whatever it takes to win. That includes playing hurt.