No star treatment for Cowboys on the way out - being pushed out is a tradition with Jerry Jones

Contrary to folklore and movies, not all Cowboys get to ride nobly, contentedly, into the sunset.

In fact, Mr. Smith on Thursday joined a long and notable list of Cowboys who have departed under less-than-graceful circumstances - pushed, nudged or kindly escorted from the premises by someone or something other than their own volition.

It happened to Mr. Smith's fellow 1990s Triplets, Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin.

It happened, in varying degrees and for various reasons, to Tony Dorsett, Drew Pearson, Bob Hayes and Rayfield Wright.

"It's kind of disappointing that it comes down to this for Emmitt," Mr. Pearson said. "The salary cap and free agency have changed the structure of the game somewhat, but one thing that's still the same is if you stay around it long enough, it eventually gets you.

Not that history is any solace. Nor, for the moment, does it matter that what fans will remember is the brilliance of a 13-year career during which Mr. Smith rushed for an NFL-record 17,162 yards and helped the Cowboys win three Super Bowls.

That didn't lessen the sting for Mr. Aikman when, on March 7, 2001, the Cowboys released him to avoid a $7 million roster bonus that would have extended his contract through 2007.

Or for Mr. Irvin, who was forced to retire on July 11, 2000, 275 days after a neck injury at Philadelphia. The injury led doctors to discover that he had a life-threatening congenital narrowing of his spinal cord.

Perhaps it is fitting that the last Triplet, too, fell victim to extenuating circumstances.

When Mr. Smith uttered these words on the day of Mr. Aikman's release, he couldn't have known they would be even more apropos nearly two years later:

"I was the last one to come, but that doesn't mean I had to be the last one to go. That's not the way I would have written the script. I would have written a happy ending.

"The only [star] player that I played with who pretty much dictated their own fate was Roger Staubach," Mr. Pearson said.

When Mr. Staubach retired March 31, 1980, he cited a fear of aftereffects from concussions. But he was 38, had played 11 years and was coming off a 1979 season in which he had career highs in passing yards (3,586) and touchdown passes (27).

Moreover, Cowboys general manager Tex Schramm tried to talk Mr. Staubach into playing another season or two.

Similarly, fellow Cowboys and NFL Hall of Famers Bob Lilly (1961-74), Mel Renfro (1964-77) and Randy White (1975-88) had lengthy careers and retired on their own accord, as did Ring of Honor members Chuck Howley (1961-73) and Lee Roy Jordan (1963-76).

Physical problems contributed to their decisions, but not so much as common sense.

"I didn't want to talk about being a part-time player, saying, 'I'll come back if I can help,' " said Mr. White upon his 1989, retirement. "That's not the kind of fellow I am. It was just time to retire."

Some, by comparison, left kicking, screaming and dragging their fingernails on the turf. Others left in a huff.

The situation many compare to Mr. Smith's was Mr. Dorsett's. During the 1987 season, Mr. Dorsett, 33, grumbled about having to share carries with Herschel Walker.

"Hopefully, they will be kind enough to give me a new address," he said before the season finale against St. Louis.

Indeed, that would be Mr. Dorsett's last game as a Cowboy. Because of a sore back and bad reaction to medication, he spent the afternoon on the sideline, a cape draped over his shoulders.

Traded to Denver, Mr. Dorsett gained 703 yards in 1988. Injuries forced his retirement as a Bronco, an ending he now regrets. Last December, as Mr. Smith prepared for what would be his last Texas Stadium appearance in a Cowboys uniform, Mr. Dorsett advised Mr. Smith to retire a Cowboy.

Mr. Hayes also finished his career in an opposing uniform. After catching just seven passes for 118 yards for Dallas in 1974, he was traded to San Francisco. While playing in only four games in 1975, his final season, he caught six passes for 119 yards.

But when former Cowboys vice president and director of player personnel Gil Brandt was asked about franchise greats that did not have a smooth departure, the first words from his lips were "Rayfield Wright."

Mr. Wright was a Cowboy from 1967 to 1979 and a six-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle. Mr. Wright, who a few months ago returned to the Dallas area from Scottsdale, Ariz., said he harbors no bitterness about his Cowboys tenure. But his tone changed when he recalled being summoned by team management after the '79 season.

"The ultimatum I was given was, 'We want you to retire,' " he recalled. "I said, 'Well, I've just got one year left on my contract, and you know I'm going to retire [after that], anyway.'

"The way I departed the Cowboys was not very tasteful based on me being a 13-year veteran and going through the things I went through to help build that franchise and playing in five Super Bowls."

But Mr. Wright said he never blamed Mr. Landry, whom he said wore a sad expression while delivering the news, explaining that the decision was made by upper management.

Mr. Wright signed a contract to play for Dick Vermeil's Philadelphia Eagles. But after reporting for training camp, he said, his feeling to continue to play was gone.

Mr. Wright, who is part-owner of a nutrition company, said Mr. Smith earned the right to retire in Dallas, on his terms.

"He shouldn't have to go and play for another ballclub," he said. "I watched him play this year, and he can still play the game."

If Mr. Smith retired, he wouldn't be the first Cowboys legend to quit while he was ahead. But two such departures, both occurring a few days before training camp in 1969, were abrupt and mysterious.

Quarterback Don Meredith and running back Don Perkins were both 31. Meredith had thrown for 2,500 yards with a career-best 88.4 quarterback rating in 1968. But in a 31-20 playoff loss at Cleveland, he was 3-of-9 for 42 yards and three interceptions before Craig Morton replaced him.

Mr. Perkins that season had rushed for 836 yards, the second-highest total of his career. But, like Mr. Meredith, his simple explanation for retiring was, "It's time."

Former Dallas Morning News reporter Gary Cartwright wrote that Mr. Meredith walked into Mr. Landry's office expecting to be talked out of retirement, only to be told: "Don, I think you made the right decision." Mr. Meredith has never elaborated.

"I would very, very much question that," Mr. Brandt said of Mr. Cartwright's account. "Just knowing how Tom spoke of Don and continued to speak about him. I always felt that Tom thought he retired way too young."

Mr. Pearson only wishes he had a choice. Like Mr. Irvin, another legendary Cowboys No. 88, Mr. Pearson saw his career ended by injury.

It didn't happen on the field, but in a March 22, 1984, auto accident in which Mr. Pearson suffered a lacerated liver and his younger brother, Carey, was killed.

"It's a Catch-22 for me because I lost my brother, and I had to give up football," he said. "Selfishly thinking, yeah, I wish I could have played another three or four more years.

"Then there wouldn't be all this talk about me not being in the Hall of Fame because I would have more of the gaudy stats that these voters look for."

That's one thing Mr. Smith won't have to worry about. He leaves Dallas as the NFL's No. 1 rusher and now, in a way, he's following Cowboys tradition.

"The only way it's different is he's accomplished a heck of a lot more than most of us would ever think about accomplishing," Mr. Pearson said. "And he's played longer than most of us would think of having the privilege of playing."

I am proud of you, Emmitt ! A good man, and you did a GREAT job as the best RB the Cowboys ever had !

And congratulations on breaking Walter Payton's all-time rushing record ! Wow! ...

Staubach the exception

"The only [star] player that I played with who pretty much dictated their own fate was Roger Staubach," Mr. Pearson said.

When Mr. Staubach retired March 31, 1980, he cited a fear of aftereffects from concussions. But he was 38, had played 11 years and was coming off a 1979 season in which he had career highs in passing yards (3,586) and touchdown passes (27).
Moreover, Cowboys general manager Tex Schramm tried to talk Mr. Staubach into playing another season or two.
Similarly, fellow Cowboys and NFL Hall of Famers Bob Lilly (1961-74), Mel Renfro (1964-77) and Randy White (1975-88) had lengthy careers and retired on their own accord, as did Ring of Honor members Chuck Howley (1961-73) and Lee Roy Jordan (1963-76).

But those days are gone now, with the classless JJ at the helm ...

It's always about ME !

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