Dallas City Temple Presents Humanitarian Award

DALLAS – The Dallas City Temple Church welcomed NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith as part of its Easter Divine Worship Celebration on April 8, 2023. Smith retired from the NFL in 2005 after a 15-year career. While breaking many records during his NFL career, Smith’s life post football is just as impressive.

In 2006, Smith and his wife, Patricia, founded the Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities, a 501(c)(3) public charity that creates and funds unique educational experiences and enrichment opportunities for underserved children in urban areas, with a focus on leadership development, school readiness and college scholarships. Pat and Emmitt’s love for kids birthed this charity, labeled by Pat as their “heart connection,” evidenced by five kids of their own.

Smith also hosts an Annual Emmitt Smith Celebrity Golf Tournament, which has raised more than 3.5 million dollars since it started eight years ago. Proceeds from the event are used to fund summer camps, after-school programs, college tuition and other educational programming that impacts more than 25,000 children annually.

Emmitt Smith has 14 years of experience as a licensed real estate professional and is Chairman of his namesake company, E. Smith Advisors, a partnership with Newmark, a premier real estate solutions and services provider. E. Smith Advisors is part of a global network with operations in more than 400 offices worldwide.

In honor of Smith’s accomplishments post football, Carlton P. Byrd, D.Min., Southwest Region Conference president and interim pastor of the Dallas City Temple Seventh-day Adventist Church, presented the Humanitarian Award to Emmitt Smith on behalf of the Dallas City Temple Church, the Southwest Region Conference and the entire Seventh-day Adventist community. 

Smith graciously accepted the award, acknowledging that who he is today is only because of those who poured themselves into him, coupled with the shoulders of the giants upon whom he stands. Smith shared nuggets of wisdom from his parents: to “always finish what you start,” to “always remember where you came from and “no matter where you go, be willing to extend a helping hand.” Smith also spoke about the weekly family prayer group that provides spiritual growth for his immediate and extended family. 

The Dallas City Temple Church is committed to community outreach and honored to celebrate those who contribute to the better good of our communities.

By Carolyn Medlock