Why Florida Gator Fans Are Mad at Emmitt Smith

Former Dallas Cowboys and Florida Gators running back Emmitt Smith found himself in hot water recently following one glaring omission from his Hall of Fame induction speech.

Smith, who singled out numerous teammates and cried to them during his glory moment in Canton, later apologized for his gaffe, but there are a number of reasons why fans of Smith's alma mater are upset with the NFL's all-time leading rusher.

He Forgot Florida

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith is seen on the field prior to Super Bowl XLIV between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Jonathan

Emmitt Smith rushed for nearly 4,000 yards during his three-year stay in Gainesville and was the biggest star on a rather average Gators team.  It was his time at Florida that catapulted him into the 17th overall pick in the 1990 Draft.

And he forgot the Gators.

Whoops.

Best of the Average Team

Emmitt Smith was the biggest star for Florida during the relatively lean years of the late 1980s.  Emmitt's Gators went 20-16 from 1987-1989, a stretch in which he was named SEC Freshman of the Year and landed on the Heisman ballot as a freshman.

Urban Burn

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 7: Emmitt Smith speaks to the crowd during the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium on August 7, 2010 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Current Florida head coach Urban Meyer and an entourage of Gators boosters and bigwigs were in attendance when Emmitt made his acceptance speech. 

To not mention Gainesville at all is a bit of a black eye for the throng that traveled north to see the program's most decorated alumnus.

Ring of Honor Gator

Emmitt Smith is a Ring of Honor recipient in The Swamp and a College Football Hall of Fame inductee. By now, he should be familiar with thanking the program and all those who helped him take his first steps to greatness.