Emmitt Smith became the first NFL running back to gain 1,000 yards in 11 consecutive seasons as the Detroit Lions beat Dallas 15-10 Sunday in Pontiac, Mich.
“I think it says a lot for a running back,” Smith said. “In order to achieve great things in life, you’ve got to be consistent. My goal was not just to have a 2,000-yard season or have a season of greatness, then have a lull the next year. I wanted to be a consistent back over a long period of time.”
The 32-year-old Smith entered the game 56 yards shy of the milestone and passed it with a 13-yard run on his 13th carry late in the third quarter.
He ran for 77 yards in 18 carries to raise his season total to 1,021 and career total to 16,187, which trails only Walter Payton’s career mark of 16,726.
Smith shared the record for consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons with former Lion Barry Sanders, who retired just before the 1999 season.
See ya, George
Coach George Seifert and the Carolina Panthers will part ways Monday, several league sources told the Charlotte Observer. Team officials would neither confirm nor deny it, but the sources said the team will announce Seifert’s firing Monday.
After the Panthers set an NFL record with their 15th consecutive defeat in one season, Seifert said he wanted to return. “I plan on coaching this team next year,” he said. “I don’t plan on resigning the job.”
But the sources said the decision wasn’t up to Seifert. Team owner Jerry Richardson has decided to fire Seifert with two years and about $5 million remaining on his contract, the sources said.
Enough is enough
Retirement seems a reality for Tennessee Titans veteran Bruce Matthews, 40, although official word won’t come for a few weeks. The 19-year veteran offensive lineman who has played more games (296) than any non-kicker in the NFL, refused Sunday to announce his decision on retirement. But he called his return for a 20th season a long shot.
“I’ll wait as long as I want,” Matthews said after the Titans lost their season finale. “In terms of announcing a date, I don’t have anything set. I’m going to just relax in the off-season, and hopefully my kids aren’t too hard on me.”
Saddle up, cowboy
Troy Aikman said it is “extremely doubtful” he will end his retirement and play next season. The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, who’s an analyst for Fox, called a report about a possible comeback “speculation.”
ESPN.com reported that Aikman told ESPN’s Ron Jaworski that he would be interested in returning to the NFL next season, but only if he could work with Norv Turner, who was with Aikman in Dallas.
“There has been no conversation whatsoever,” Aikman said.
Turner was Aikman’s offensive coordinator with the Cowboys and now holds the same job with the San Diego Chargers. He could be line for openings around the league.
“I have said all along it’s not something I have closed the door on,” Aikman said.
He’s all ears
Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said he would talk to Florida about its coaching vacancy only if he were contacted by close friend and Gators athletic director Jeremy Foley, but he hasn’t been contacted yet.
Shanahan has three years left on his contract, which pays him nearly $4 million a season, making him one of the NFL’s three highest-paid coaches.
Tearful farewell?
When questions came about his uncertain future following Indianapolis’ season-ending victory, the tears flowed as Jim Mora insisted he should remain the team’s coach. “I will not quit. I will not quit,” Mora said.
Team President Bill Polian declined to answer questions about Mora’s security after a 6-10 season. He and owner Jim Irsay both have said they would wait until season’s end to determine whether Mora, 66, returns for the fifth and final season on his contract.
Campo in hospital
Dallas coach Dave Campo was taken to Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit because of flulike symptoms after Dallas’ loss. Team spokesman Rich Dalrymple said Campo experienced vertigo and nausea before the game.
