Emmitt Smith wowed Mexico with visit to pro football game in rising league as Dallas Cowboys legend seeks to learn more about the LFA
Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith after flipping the coin toss in an LFA game in Chihuahua, Mexico. Chihuahua Caudillos Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith spent Saturday in Chihuahua, Mexico, in an effort to learn more about the rising pro football league south of the border. Emmitt Smith has signed thousands upon thousands of autographs over the years.
But on a Saturday afternoon, he faced a first: Signing a birth certificate. You see, while Emmitt may be a common name in the United States, it’s not so much in Mexico. But during his visit to Chihuahua, Mexico, Smith was handed a birth certificate of a kid named Emmitt after him.
That’s the kind of impact a player like Smith can have in a country that’s not the US. Mexico is the second country with the most football fans. Over the weekend, Smith got a unique glimpse (or many of them) into what he means to football fans south of the border.
Which brings us to the reason why Smith made this particular trip. Why Emmitt Smith visited Mexico for a football game Though not a stranger to visiting Mexico, Smith headed to Chihuahua for the first time in his life to watch a pro football game from the rising Mexican league, the LFA (Liga de Fútbol Americano). The LFA, which recently received a $100 million investment from a private fund named GSCP, has been pushing for growth.
This season, ESPN/Disney+ secured rights to broadcast the games in Mexico. In the US, Telemundo broadcasts the games. Smith’s visit was largely publicized to draw fans to the game and raise the branding of the league.