Pantagraph.com Weather forecast, local radar and more
Free TimeWednesday, November 15, 2006 8:32 PM CST
Emmitt Smith wins ABC's 'Dancing' title
Advertisement

NEW YORK -- Emmitt Smith, three-time Super Bowl champion, was named the winner of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" Wednesday night.

The NFL's all-time leading rusher beat out actor Mario Lopez.

The hunky, dimpled Lopez was generally regarded as the series most dynamic celebrity dancer, but the public's vote, the deciding factor after the contestants had tied in the judges' tally at Tuesday's final dance-off, brought Smith the victory.

"It is awesome! It is awesome!" declared Smith, after hugging his professional dance partner Cheryl Burke. "We came a long way, we really have."

Burke won last season, too, on the arm of singer Drew Lachey.

Smith had kind words for Lopez, who was gracious in his defeat. He called the former "Saved by the Bell" star a "true gentleman" and said he and partner Karina Smirnoff "raised the bar" during the competition.

"This whole journey was unbelievable ... And Karina, most unbelievable person," Lopez gushed. "It's something I'll never forget."

Smith and Burke wowed judges on Tuesday with a spirited samba, to the tune of Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke."

"What's so great about you is you are the everyday man who became a dancer in our eyes in the past 10 weeks," judge Carrie Anna Inaba told Smith, who's been dubbed "The Big Easy" for his laid-back elegance and charm.

In the closing segment of Wednesday's decision show, Burke, in a video clip, praised Smith's work ethic.

"From the beginning, he just wanted to be the best possible dancer he can be," she said.


Take a look
Former "Saved by the Bell" star Mario Lopez, right, and his partner Karina Smirnoff on "Dancing With the Stars."
Video
Most commented stories
Community calendar
Browse online archives
Recent issues:
Reader comments on this story - 12 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

to Indignant Viewer wrote on Nov 16, 2006 1:27 PM:

" I would say that since the judges are professional dancers, what you say doesn't mean anything! The best man won! Too bad! "

He did it! wrote on Nov 16, 2006 1:26 PM:

" As a former dancer and dance instructor, the right man won. Look at imdb.com. It shows Athletics aside, his true passion in life is dancing. He has aspirations of one day dancing at Radio City music hall in New York City. And...Before being cast in "Saved by the Bell" (1989), Lopez was a dancer. "

Yay!! wrote on Nov 16, 2006 11:58 AM:

" I'm so happy Emmitt won - Mario Lopez is a smug SOB, and I'm happy he lost. I would have liked it if he had lost in the first round, though. His partner looked to be a little ticked off that they didn't win, too! I think Emmitt deserved to win because he was relaxed, had a good time doing it, had a GREAT attitude, and just drew people in. Mario did not! "

Indignant Viewer wrote on Nov 16, 2006 11:21 AM:

" The better man did not win! If the judges would have awarded points accordingly, than Mario and Emmitt definitely wouldn't have tied two weeks in a row. And moreso, the better dancer would have won! Emmitt did not deserve perfect scores, because he wasn't a perfect dancer. Plus, Mario was balancing a very hectic schedule with his practices, and he worked just as hard if not harder than Emmitt. Just because he started out as a better dancer doesn't mean that he didn't improve throughout the season as well. Plus, Emmitt did shameless self-promotion on sports channels and at football games. So, I guess if its a competition on who can sell themself better, than Emmitt should have won, but not because he was a better dancer. And yes, Emmitt did sacrifice time away from his family for the show, but he chose to do the show, so he really can't play the family card when he made the show a priority over his family. Mario was robbed! "

Brian wrote on Nov 16, 2006 1:37 AM:

" from the leading rusher in the history of the NFL to winning "Dancing with the Stars"....wow....how far a career can tumble. What's next, "Running with Scissors"? "

RE: Sad wrote on Nov 15, 2006 10:58 PM:

" Mario wasn't better. He cheated twice and should have been penilized for it. I think Mario thought he would win with his looks. I'm glad to see Emmitt win because he truly worked hard to learn the dances and wasn't hung up on himself. "

Susan wrote on Nov 15, 2006 8:57 PM:

" Mario was good from the start. Emmitt grew as a dancer each and every week. That's why a lot of people voted for him. "

sad wrote on Nov 15, 2006 8:47 PM:

" I am sad because Emmett was good but Mario was better. He should. This just goes to show you the best person doesn't always win. In fact that happens a lot. "

I think........ wrote on Nov 15, 2006 5:23 PM:

" Mario will win "

To: Brian wrote on Nov 15, 2006 3:11 PM:

" Maybe these "actual GUY"s have realized how popular they are with women once they learn to dance well. "

Brian wrote on Nov 15, 2006 12:52 PM:

" And here I am just amazed any actual GUY would admit to watching that drivel. "

Student of dance wrote on Nov 15, 2006 9:21 AM:

" It's amazing how this show has gotten people from all walks of life interested in Ballroom Dancing! I recently took a dance class through Heartland Community College geared toward adults; several others in that class told me Dancing With the Stars got them interested in trying it. Especially the men, who said they never would have considered ballroom dancing until they saw a football player doing it! "

Add your own comments

Please read the rules before posting comments.

You must be logged in to leave comments.
If you don't have a member ID, please register.

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
  Forgot Your Password?