Emmitt Smith Criticizes Cowboys' Players Amid 30-Year Super Bowl Drought

Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith has voiced strong frustration over the team's prolonged absence from Super Bowl contention, emphasizing that players must take responsibility for on-field performance despite ownership's influence. Speaking at the Netflix docuseries premiere "America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys," Smith criticized the shift from a culture of leadership and urgency to one of complacency, contrasting past eras where locker room leaders drove success. Smith also highlighted the critical situation with defensive star Micah Parsons, urging the Cowboys to resolve contract disputes quickly, as Parsons' impact on the defense is invaluable. The Cowboys face uncertainties with a new coach, injury concerns for quarterback Dak Prescott, and Parsons' holdout, complicating efforts to return to playoff contention after missing it last season. While owner Jerry Jones has been blamed for the franchise's repeated playoff failures and hands-on management style, Smith stressed that ultimately, players must execute and lead on the field. The upcoming Netflix series revisits the Cowboys' glory days and arrives amid renewed scrutiny of the organization's culture nearly 30 years since their last championship.