Emmitt Smith 'Would Love To See' Adrian Peterson Break His Rushing Record

The 2002 Dallas Cowboys endured a miserable 5-11 season that saw head coach Dave Campo fired at season's end and the once proud dynasty delve further into mediocrity. The only shining moment came on Oct. 27, during a 17-14 loss to the visiting Seahawks.

Taking a handoff from Chad Hutchinson, Emmitt Smith broke through the middle for what would have normally been a nondescript carry. With the rush, however, Smith broke Walter Payton's all-time rushing yards record of 16,726. Smith left the Cowboys after that season, finishing his career in 2004 after two years with the Cardinals. He sits atop the career rushing yards leaderboard with 18,355 yards.

The only realistic threat to that mark is 29-year-old Adrian Peterson, who is in 27th place all-time with 10,115 yards. In a HuffPost Live appearance Wednesday, Smith said he'd love to see Peterson clip his mark.

"Adrian Peterson is a dominant runner," Smith told host Marc Lamont Hill. "It is possible for that to happen. But I do understand that injuries do happen. You have to be blessed with good longevity as well as a good and healthy body and surrounding yourself with quality teammates in order to make that happen. I would love to see that happen."

Peterson has said he aims to break the record by 2017. Until then, Smith will consider himself the best running back to play the game.

"It's hard to say because, when you bring up that list again, you're talking about Walter Payton, Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, [Tony] Dorsett, Marcus Allen, Eric Dickerson, then you throw me in the mix. People have their own preference," Smith said. "But at the end of the day ... you start looking at numbers. Numbers, in our minds, dictate who's the best. I don't have to say anymore when you start looking at them."

Watch the rest of the clip above, and catch the full HuffPost Live conversation here.

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