As dawn breaks over 15,01 Windwood Road, a thin veil of mist hangs across the emerald lawns of North Dallas. White fences frame the long driveway leading to a grand stone entrance and the pool glitters under the first rays of Texas sun. On the wide porch, EMTT Smith, dressed in a classic cowboys polo, steps out with a steaming cup of coffee, gazing toward the private training field where he once honeded his famous running stride.

Today, we’re about to step inside the Texas kingdom of an NFL legend. A place where wealth, memories, and legacy all converge. To understand why EMTT chose this home as his sanctuary, we first need to retrace the journey from Pensacola to the very pinnacle of the NFL. EMTT James Smith was born in 1969 in Pensacola, Florida, a GF coast city known for its military bases and deep football roots.

He picked up a football at age 8 and never put it down. At Escambia High School, he lined up at running back and edge rusher, shattering rushing records and carrying his team to national prominence. Yet, even with gaudy stats, college recruiters whispered that he was too small and too slow for the big stage, an underdog label he would never forget.

Smith accepted a scholarship to the University of Florida where he quickly silenced every doubt. In his very first game for the Gator, he rushed for 224 yards and two touchdowns, breaking a school record that had stood for decades. Over three seasons, he became one of the most decorated backs in SEC history, setting 58 school records in just 30 games.

He left school a year early to enter the NFL draft, but promised his family he’d come back for his degree, a promise he later fulfilled, graduating with a bachelor’s in public recreation. In the 1990 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected him 17th overall, pairing him with Troy Aman and Michael Iran to form the core of a dynasty.

Smith’s rookie season brought 937 rushing yards. offensive Rookie of the Year honors and his first Pro Bowl selection. In 1992, he exploded for 1,713 yards and 18 touchdowns, capping the year with a Super Bowl victory. The following season, he staged a brief hold out for a new deal, returning to become the highest paid running back in the league and leading the Cowboys to another Lombardi Trophy.

Between 1994 and 1995, he scored 21 to 25 touchdowns per season, cementing the team’s third Super Bowl in four years and his own status as the heart of the Cowboys offense. By the time he left Dallas in 2003, Smith had become the NFL’s all-time rushing leader. He signed a 2-year, $7.5 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals, adding a veteran presence to a rebuilding team and rushing for 937 yards at age 35.

On February 3rd, 2005, he signed a ceremonial one-day $1 contract to retire as a cowboy, closing the circle on a career defined by loyalty and grit. Smith’s life after football has been as multifaceted as his running style. He became an analyst for the NFL Network and ESPN, bringing a champions perspective to national broadcasts.

In 2006, he swapped cleats for dancing shoes and won Dancing with the Stars, charming a new audience with his footwork. In 2010, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, immortalizing his 18,355 rushing yards and 164 rushing touchdowns, both NFL records at the time. Off the field, he’s parlayed his discipline into business.

He co-owns the Gent’s Place, a luxury men’s grooming and lifestyle club, and partnered in Jesse Iuji Motorsports, a NASCAR Xfinity Series team, making him one of the few NFL legends to cross over into stock car racing. Each venture reflects the same work ethic and long-term vision that defined his playing days.

From the boy who was once told he wasn’t big enough or fast enough to the man who outran every record in sight, EMTT Smith embodies the phrase from underdog to cowboy legend. His three Super Bowl rings and Hall of Fame bust are just the visible trophies. The real victory has been rewriting the narrative about what perseverance can achieve.

And now the Dallas home he built is more than a residence. It’s a living story of that triumph. Texas mansion, a cowboy’s palace. Drive north through Dallas suburbs and you’ll find a stretch of treeline streets that feels more like an exclusive resort than a neighborhood. At the end of a limestone framed driveway, 15,01 Windwood Road rises like a modern-day fortress.

Built in 1995 on just under an acre, EMTT Smith’s estate is the kind of place that stops even Dallas natives in their tracks. Tall white columns give the entryway a Greek revival grandeur, while a circular drive lined with manicured shrubs allows guests to roll up as if arriving at a gala. This isn’t just a house.

It’s what Texas realtors call an entertainer’s dream. Step inside and the scale is immediate. The home sprawls over 11,000 square ft, yet it’s designed with warmth as well as wow factor. The formal dining room stretches long enough to seat 22 guests, perfect for charity dinners or holiday feasts. Just off the main corridor sits a recreation room with plush seating for 11, a space that doubles as a film review room for friends or a watch party during big games.

There’s even a separate game room stocked with memorabilia and enough space for a full team hangout. The master suite is a sanctuary within a sanctuary. An open living area flows into a spa inspired bathroom complete with a steam room and jacuzzi. His and hers bathrooms flank three gigantic walk-in closets so large they feel like small boutiques.

And a multijet shower stands beneath a barrel vated ceiling. Upstairs, a second master suite with its own fireplace offers visiting family or VIP guests the same luxury. Throughout, natural light streams through oversized windows, creating a blend of grandeur and ease. EMTT’s Cowboys heritage infuses the decor. A custom trophy cabinet showcases game balls, MVP plaques, and the three Super Bowl rings that defined an era.

One room is fully themed as a Cowboys lounge, complete with blue and silver accents and framed photos from the team’s 1990s dynasty. The walls practically tell the story of his career, from his first 1,000-yard season to the moment he passed Walter Payton’s all-time rushing record. Outside, the Texas sun glints off a resortstyle pool and spa surrounded by a custom pool bath and Trex decking.

The patio is covered for year round use. And from the right angle, you can see the greens of a nearby golf course, the tennis courts, and even horse stables down the road. Restaurants and high-end shopping are within a quick drive. But standing here, you feel worlds away from downtown Dallas.

Culturally, it’s like a miniature hall of fame transplanted to North Dallas. Only instead of bleachers and turf, you get limestone columns and leather couches. Every corner whispers a story of persistence, victory, and the Texas-sized charm that made EMTT a household name. And just like his runs on the field, the tour doesn’t stop here.

Beyond the house lies another side of EMTT’s lifestyle, the vehicles that carry him from one chapter of his legacy to the next. In the next section, we’ll roll into his car collection and see how the cowboy legend travels off the field. cars. First up is a Lincoln MKZ, the understated yet elegant sedan that has become EMTT’s go-to car for community events and charity gallas.

Powered by a smooth V6, it glides quietly through Dallas traffic, its cabin insulated like a private lounge. He first drove this MKZ to his Hall of Fame induction festivities in Canton, rolling up to cheering fans who lined the streets with jerseys and footballs. The image of him stepping out of a sleek Lincoln instead of a flashy supercar spoke volumes about the humility beneath the fame.

Parked beside it is a 2005 MercedesBenz 600 V12, a flagship of power and comfort. Under the hood, the 12cylinder engine delivers seamless acceleration. What EMTT calls a running lane on the highway. Inside, butters soft leather, burled wood trim, and massaging seats make it feel more like a rolling executive suite than a sports car.

This was the vehicle he used during his Dancing with the Stars run, often seen chauffeurring his family to rehearsals and gliding down red carpets in Los Angeles. For EMTT, the V12 wasn’t just horsepower. It was a mobile celebration of a new chapter in life after football. And just as these cars reflect his journey, his finances tell an equally compelling story of smart moves and long-term vision, income, and net worth.

Today, his net worth is estimated at around $30 million, but the story behind that figure is as layered as his running style. During his 13 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and two with the Arizona Cardinals, Smith became not only the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, but also one of its best compensated backs. In 1993, after back-to-back Super Bowls, he staged a brief hold out and returned with a record- setting 7-year $40 million deal.

At the time, the richest ever for a running back. In 2003, he signed a 2-year, $7.5 million contract with the Cardinals to finish out his playing days. By the time he hung up his cleats, his career earnings in salary and bonuses had topped $61 million. But EMTT knew that even for Hall of Famers, NFL can stand for not for long. He invested in relationships and endorsements early.

Over the years, he appeared in national campaigns for Pepsi, Reebok, Bud Light, and QC Kinetics, among others, earning millions annually and keeping his brand relevant to a younger generation of fans. His biggest post gains have come from real estate and business ventures. Partnering with fellow cowboy legend Roger Stalbach, Smith launched Smith/ Cypress Partners LP, which has developed a 65 acre site in Fort Worth into more than 600,000 square ft of retail and mixeduse space.

He also founded ESmith Advisors, aligned with Newark Group, which manages over $50 million in commercial real estate capital, and Emith Legacy Holdings, an umbrella for his expanding portfolio. These moves have made him, in the words of Dallas Business Press, a mogul with cleats in the closet. Media and television appearances add another revenue stream.

As an analyst for NFL Network and ESPN, Smith commands lucrative speaking fees and brings credibility to broadcasts. Winning Dancing with the Stars didn’t just showcase his footwork. It raised his profile with audiences who might never have seen a Cowboys game. Today, he’s a regular on the corporate speaking circuit, drawing five figure checks for motivational talks about teamwork and perseverance.

Smith has also diversified into other ventures. EJ Smith Construction handles commercial and residential projects. He’s dipped into solar and technology startups. and he’s a co-owner of Jesse Wuji Motorsports, a NASCAR Xfinity Series team bringing diversity to stock car racing. He also invested in the Gent Place, a luxury men’s grooming club, expanding its footprint across the US.

Each venture reflects the same patient, vision-driven approach he took to hitting running lanes. Wait for the opening, then accelerate. If Emtt Smith’s playing career was about racking up yards, his postc career mission has been about giving them back yard by yard, child by child. Few athletes have translated their fame into sustained structured community impact as thoroughly as Smith.

Philanthropy. In 2002, EMTT and his wife Pat launched Pat and EMTT Smith charities, which became one of North Texas’s most visible athlete-driven nonprofits. For nearly two decades, its flagship team 22 mentorship program connected promising but underserved youth with leaders in business, politics, and the arts.

Students from Dallas ISD schools met figures as varied as President George W. Bush, President Barack Obama, and Michelle Obama. An exposure designed to show them that opportunity can look like them. Beyond mentorship, the foundation became a lifeline for basics. Through its annual grants program, it supported more than 150 youth organizations with funding for everything from afterchool tutoring to emergency housing.

The back to school program provided uniforms, backpacks, dental care, and fresh produce to thousands of Dallas area children at the start of each school year. Its college scholarship fund helped first generation students cross the financial finish line. By the time the foundation closed in 2020, it had directly served more than 10,000 students in the Dallas Independent School District and raised over $8.

2 million for youth programs. Smith didn’t limit his efforts to classrooms. In 2018, he launched the Emtt Smith Grand Fondo, a high-profile cycling event that attracted weekend riders and pros alike. Over its three-year run, the Fondo raised money for organizations such as Minnie’s Food Pantry and the Rock Teen Youth Foundation, blending fitness with philanthropy in the same way Smith once blended agility with power.

Another signature event is the EMTT Smith Celebrity Invitational, a golf gala that brings together NFL alumni, corporate sponsors, and community leaders. The tournament’s proceeds support youth mentorship, health programs, and educational grants, proving that a golf swing can be as powerful a fundraising tool as a touchdown run.

Smith’s advocacy also reaches beyond his own foundation. He has lent his name, time, and money to children’s hospitals, at risk youth initiatives, and minority and womenowned business programs at Super Bowl week events. He regularly hosts youth football clinics where he teaches fundamentals, but also talks about character and perseverance, the off-field skills that carried him from Pensacola to Canton.

And just as his giving reflects his character, his private life offers a glimpse into the man behind the Hall of Fame bust. Personal life. Smith’s family life is expansive and blended. He has a daughter, Rien Smith, born November 2nd, 1998 with his ex-girlfriend Hope Wilson. In 2000, he married Patricia Southall, the former Miss Virginia USA and founder of the nonprofit Treasure U.

Together, they’ve built a household that mixes NFL memorabilia with everyday warmth. The couple shares three children. Emmett James Smith IV, born May 15th, 2002, who has followed in his father’s footsteps playing football. Skyler Smith, born October 15th, 2003, an accomplished equestrian, and Elijah Alexander James Smith, born September 22nd, 2010.

The youngest, Smith is also the stepfather of Jasmine Paige Lawrence, born January 15th, 1996. Southall’s daughter with comedian Martin Lawrence. Family gatherings at the Dallas mansion often feature multiple generations and friends, a living reflection of Smith’s commitment to mentoring youth. But even legends encounter turbulence.

In 2024 to 2025, Smith became embroiled in a high-profile legal battle with former business partner Johnny Wimbry over allegations of fraud and financial misconduct. Smith claims to have invested $500,000 in a real estate deal that turned out to be part of a $67 million Ponzi scheme. His lawsuit accuses Wimbry of conspiracy and misrepresentation, seeking damages and restitution.

Wim counters sued Smith for fraud, breach of contract, and defamation. The bitter legal fight, still unresolved, underscores the risks of celebrity endorsed investments and has been widely covered in Texas media as a cautionary tale about trusting the wrong partners. Smith has also used his platform to speak out on issues that matter to him.

In March 2024, he issued a scathing public statement condemning the University of Florida, his alma mater, for closing its diversity, equity, and inclusion DEI office and laying off 13 employees under a new state law. Calling the decision abhorrent, Smith accused the university of betraying minority athletes and students by removing oversight and support structures.

For those who think it’s not your problem, you’re complicit,” he warned, drawing from his own experiences as a black athlete in the 1980s. His comments were praised by DEI advocates and blasted by conservative voices, positioning Smith as an unlikely but forceful defender in a national debate. Even his sports commentary can stir headlines.

In 2023, he criticized the Cowboys release of Ezekiel Elliott, quipping on Instagram that NFL stands for not for long and urging players to go make some money while they can. In 2025, he again weighed in on the league’s treatment of running backs, calling out teams for anti-position strategies that devalue backs despite their workload.

These remarks sparked more debate than scandal, but they reinforced Smith’s reputation as someone unafraid to speak his mind. Style-wise, Smith embodies a blend of southern gentleman and modern entrepreneur. At charity golf tournaments, he favors polos and slacks and cowboys blue. At business meetings, he wears tailored suits.

At home on Windwood Road, he’s as likely to be in jeans and boots walking the grounds as he is in a blazer hosting a fundraiser. Friends describe him as equally at ease quoting scripture, breaking down a defensive scheme, or discussing real estate projections. From Pensacola’s dusty practice fields to the Hall of Fame in Dallas, from an 11,000 square ft Texas mansion to V12 engines and scholarship funds, EMTT Smith’s journey shows that greatness isn’t only measured in yards, but in impact. He’s more than an NFL legend.

He’s an investor, a mentor, and a true gentleman cowboy who turned his platform into opportunity for others. If EMTT’s story inspires you, don’t forget to like this video, subscribe to the channel, and hit the bell so you won’t miss the next home tour of Extraordinary Lives.