Emmitt Smith wowed Mexico with visit to pro football game in rising league as Dallas Cowboys legend seeks to learn more about the LFA
Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith spent Saturday in Chihuahua, Mexico, in an effort to learn more about the rising pro football league south of the border.
Emmitt Smith has signed thousands upon thousands of autographs over the years. But on a Saturday afternoon, he faced a first: Signing a birth certificate.
You see, while Emmitt may be a common name in the United States, it’s not so much in Mexico. But during his visit to Chihuahua, Mexico, Smith was handed a birth certificate of a kid named Emmitt after him.
That’s the kind of impact a player like Smith can have in a country that’s not the US. Mexico is the second country with the most football fans. Over the weekend, Smith got a unique glimpse (or many of them) into what he means to football fans south of the border. Which brings us to the reason why Smith made this particular trip.
Why Emmitt Smith visited Mexico for a football game
Though not a stranger to visiting Mexico, Smith headed to Chihuahua for the first time in his life to watch a pro football game from the rising Mexican league, the LFA (Liga de Fútbol Americano).
The LFA, which recently received a $100 million investment from a private fund named GSCP, has been pushing for growth. This season, ESPN/Disney+ secured rights to broadcast the games in Mexico. In the US, Telemundo broadcasts the games.
Smith’s visit was largely publicized to draw fans to the game and raise the branding of the league.
The game itself, for which Smith flipped the coin toss, wasn’t expected to be a top-tier showdown, as the Chihuahua Caudillos (Warlords) faced the Queretaro Gallos Negros (Black Roosters).
The former is the league’s juggernaut as it pursues its third championship in a four-year span (Emmitt would know a thing or two about that) and the latter finds itself in a rebuilding year.
Though the game ended 52-6 in favor of the home team, Smith’s visit wasn’t spoiled at all.
In multiple public instances, including at a dinner with Caudillos sponsors, he revealed he was interested in learning more about the team and the rising league. Prior to the game, Smith met with Caudillos and LFA executives in an effort to achieve such goal.
Talking to sponsors, Smith shared he’s been aware of the interest in American football in Mexico ever since he played a preseason game in Mexico City in 1994. The game still holds the record for the highest-attendance ever for an NFL game. 112,3766 people showed up at Estadio Azteca for a preseason showdown.
The birth certificate isn’t the only example he got of the people’s love. Kids chanted his name in front of his private box in the stadium. A longtime radio host in Chihuahua and a huge fan of his, cried as Smith signed a couple of Dallas Morning News newspapers from days in which Smith set new career milestones. Fans across the country found ways to be at the game just for a chance to see him and in some cases, greet him.
American football in Mexico has always been big, mostly at the collegiate level. But for pro football, having a legend of Emmitt Smith’s stature flown in to catch a game has to be one of the biggest milestones ever achieved.
If I had to bet, I would say it won’t be his last time watching the LFA.