A Conversation With a Living Legend® returns to San Antonio to honor Emmitt Smith
MD Anderson News Release September 22, 2015
Football legend teams up with MD Anderson to support cancer research
MD Anderson News Release 09/22/2015
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center heads to San Antonio Oct. 13 for the sixth annual A Conversation With a Living Legend® honoring Pro Football Hall of Fame member and “Dancing with the Stars” champion Emmitt Smith.
The luncheon and program will be held at the Marriott Rivercenter, 101 Bowie St., from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sean Elliott, full-time color commentator for the San Antonio Spurs, will interview the renowned football star, respected entrepreneur and best-selling author in what promises to be an unforgettable afternoon. The luncheon will benefit MD Anderson’s Moon Shots Program, a comprehensive, accelerated effort to rapidly reduce cancer deaths and transform cancer care.
Returning chairs Sonya Medina Williams and Gene Williams spearhead a volunteer committee of community and business leaders from across San Antonio. They have secured several major sponsors at the $25,000 level, including Lewis Energy Group, Mays Family Foundation and McCombs Foundation. Silver Eagle Distributors also serves as a significant sponsor, contributing $15,000 to the cause.
Peggy and Lowry Mays and Charline and Red McCombs return as the event’s honorary chairs, while Kim and Clyde Johnson IV and Paula and Clyde Johnson III return to serve as founding chairs.
Smith is one of the most valuable brands in the sports entertainment field. He rose to prominence via an illustrious football career, which included three Super Bowl championships as a member of the Dallas Cowboys and the honor of being the only player to have won a Super Bowl MVP, NFL MVP and NFL Rushing Crown in the same season. Smith was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2010 and is the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, having amassed 18,355 yards during his 15 seasons.
His charm and charisma, which made him one of the sports world’s most popular personalities during his playing career, quickly translated to the entertainment world following his retirement. In 2006, Smith’s crossover appeal became even more apparent when he, along with dance partner Cheryl Burke, was crowned winner of the hit ABC reality show “Dancing with the Stars.” As president and CEO of Emmitt Smith Enterprises Inc., Smith leads a team of talented people who oversee the company’s many ventures, including Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, an organization that annually awards college scholarships and provides enrichment opportunities to underserved youths.
Sean Elliott played for the San Antonio Spurs for all but one season from 1989 to 2001 and made his way onto several franchise record lists, including the most three-pointers made. The 6’8” forward was drafted third overall out of The University of Arizona, made two All-Star teams and played in the Spurs’ 1999 championship game. Elliott is widely known for the Memorial Day Miracle, his game-winning three-point shot in Game 2 of the 1999 Western Conference Finals.
Unbeknownst to his teammates, Elliott was battling a kidney disease at the time but waited until after the season to have the transplant he so desperately needed. In 2001, he became the first player to return to professional sports after an organ transplant. Elliott retired in 2001 and became a basketball analyst for the Spurs’ local broadcast for one season. In 2002, he joined ABC Sports and ESPN, then left that position two years later to rejoin the Spurs as the team’s full-time color commentator.
Seating is limited. For more information, please call 866-262-9029 and press 9 or email events@mdanderson.org.