Emmitt Smith talks Back-To-School Tips and More!

This week, Fuel Up to Play 60 Summit Ambassador Cody had the opportunity to talk with NFL Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith, one-on-one about back-to-school advice, how he stays active with his kids, and how to fuel greatness with a healthy breakfast.

Check out excerpts from their conversation below, and click here to learn how your family can enter to win the chance to talk to Emmitt Smith, tickets to an NFL game and more prizes NOW!

What an ultimate way to end my summer by have been given the opportunity to interview Dallas Cowboy and Hall of Famer, Emmitt Smith. He is the three time Super Bowl champion and all-time NFL leading rusher. He shared with me several ways he fuels up in the morning and how he stays actively involved with his children.  A long with several plays that I learned at the Summit in Chicago, I now have something else that I can share with my student body when  I return to school. 

Q: What back-to-school tips and advice do you have for kids?

A: My advice would be to start early preparing yourself for the transition from summer vacation back into school. Start that transition a week prior to going to school by going to sleep at the right time and getting up early enough in the morning. And most importantly, eat a good meal in the morning. If you don’t want to eat something like grits, bacon, sausage and all that kind of stuff before going to school in the morning, try something lighter like oatmeal. I like my oatmeal with raisins, cinnamon and brown sugar really.

Cody: That’s exactly what my mom said.

Q: What was your favorite subject?

A: My favorite subject was math.

Q: What was your favorite school memory?

A: Probably winning the state championship in high school, taking the bus from high school all the way down to Jacksonville Florida, Ocala, playing football games on a Friday night. Those were fun memories.

Q: What did you major in at the University of Florida?

A: Public restoration and hotel resort management.

Cody: Wow. I want to be a broadcaster when I grow up.

Q: When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A: I grew up thinking I wanted to be a professional athlete, and then when I got to college I actually thought about being an architect.

Q: How do you stay active with your daughter and son?

A: My kids are all involved in sports. My oldest son is getting pretty good at basketball, and I help him practice his shooting skills and work with him on some drills. My 16-year old girl plays soccer. And right now, I’m trying to teach my four-year-old son how to throw a football and a baseball…and how to swing a golf club!

Cody: Your son’s a good basketball player?

Emmitt: He’s not bad.

Q: How do you think your Dallas Cowboys will do this year? Will they win another Super Bowl maybe?

A:  They will win another Super Bowl, I just don’t know when they will. Hopefully it’ll be this year.

Q: How was Dancing with the Stars?

A: Dancing with the Stars was great. I had a blast, I really did. It was hard work, long hours. I did a lot of practicing for one minute and 30 seconds.  It was crazy. I put in 8-12 hour days for a minute and 30 seconds.

Q: What was more rewarding, winning 3 Super Bowls or Dancing with the Stars?

A: The three Super Bowls probably. That right there was a childhood experience, a childhood dream.