Emmitt Smith didn’t have much trouble identifying the teams that have looked sharp this season, and he made it clear Kansas City belongs in that group.
Fresh off a return to the ballroom on Tuesday’s Super Bowl theme night of “Dancing With the Stars,” the Hall of Fame running back and former show champion spoke with Variety about football, dancing and the Chiefs. Smith, who won Season 3 in 2006 with pro partner Cheryl Burke, was back among other NFL alums including DeMarcus Ware, Danny Amendola and Donald Driver.
When the conversation turned to Kansas City, Smith said the Chiefs have reasons to feel good about where they stand, especially with Patrick Mahomes still steering the offense.
“Well, I would say the undefeated teams look pretty good right now - the 49ers … are the Bills undefeated? They look good, too.
And Kansas City looks pretty good. Mahomes has a true running back now that everyone has to respect, and that’s a big difference.”
Smith also singled out Kenneth Walker III, the Super Bowl MVP who joined the Chiefs after winning a title with the Seahawks. He said Walker landed in the right spot.
“... Kenneth Walker III went to the right team with head coach Andy Reid, a great offensive coordinator in Eric Bieniemy, Patrick Mahomes and a very competitive team.
“Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the National Football League right now. The running game in Kansas City is a lot better than people are giving it credit for.”
Smith’s comments weren’t limited to the field. He also weighed in on the constant attention around Taylor Swift at Chiefs games, pushing back on the idea that her presence should be treated like a football controversy.
“Why would it be a controversial matter? She’s there to support her husband and she doesn’t care about all this other stuff, but the networks do.
The networks are exposing everything because of who she is. She’s not looking for the damn camera!
“She’s trying to be Taylor Swift, wife to Travis Kelce, and is trying to enjoy life. She’s not going, ‘Put me on the camera! I’m here!’
“The media needs something to talk about, this is fresh and new, and she’s a big star. Do I like it?
No. Can I do anything about it?
No. Can she do anything about it?
No. The only thing she can do is not show up at the games, and who wants to do that?”
Smith was just as direct when the subject shifted to the NFL’s social media push showing players with their famous girlfriends at training camp, including the viral clip of Madison Beer with Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
“It’s a poor policy. The reason why it’s a poor policy is: Girlfriends do change. Wives sometimes change, but they don’t change as often as girlfriends do ...
“Plus, that in and of itself has no place in the game at practice. Ain’t no way in the world Jimmy Johnson would allow it!
And at the end of the day, I don’t think players want it either, because this is their job! This isn’t the place to be flirty-flirty!”
For Smith, the football conversation on Tuesday circled back to the Chiefs, Mahomes and a season that already has several contenders drawing attention.
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