Emmitt Smith's Son on Dealing with Legacy Pressure

EJ Smith, running back for Texas A&M and son of NFL's all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith, recently discussed the challenges of living up to his father's renowned legacy. He admitted to seeking advice on handling the immense pressure of external expectations.

His father, Emmitt Smith, shared a simple yet profound approach: focus on one's own expectations. He encouraged EJ to "run his own race," disregard external opinions, and hone his craft, comparing it to blinders worn by horses in a race.

Beyond football, Emmitt Smith is actively involved in Narcan's "Ready to Rescue" initiative. This partnership stems from personal experiences, including his sister-in-law's overdose episodes while on pain medication and friends losing children to addiction.

Smith emphasized the pervasive nature of the opioid epidemic, particularly the rise of fentanyl. He stressed the importance of having access to resources like Narcan nasal spray for loved ones. He also offered draft day advice to EJ: relax and avoid watching the draft, letting his agent handle the calls.