Academy Sports + Outdoors Partners With Hall of Fame Running Back Emmitt Smith in Advance of The Big Game in Dallas

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Jan 25, 2011, 08:00 ET

HOUSTON, Jan. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Academy Sports + Outdoors (d/b/a Academy) is excited to announce that it has reached an agreement to partner with Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith.

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"I'm excited to partner with one of the leading sporting goods and outdoor retailers in the country," says Smith. "This just seems like a natural fit. I'm looking forward to a long-time relationship with them."

Academy Sports + Outdoors is a great partner for the NFL's all-time leading rusher who maintained a high level of excellence throughout his 14 seasons. Academy will feature Smith in a comprehensive multi-media campaign in 2011 that will incorporate academy.com, social media networks, Academy stores and promotional events.

"Not only is Emmitt Smith synonymous with the Dallas Cowboys, but he also transcends football with his larger than life personality and his commitment to family," says Anita Sehgal, Academy Sports + Outdoors vice president of marketing. "We feel that Emmitt will be a great ambassador for Academy Sports + Outdoors, and we can't wait to launch our strategic marketing efforts with him."

Smith's first official event as ambassador for Academy Sports + Outdoors will be at the Emmitt Smith Tailgate Celebration on Friday, February 4 from 4–8 p.m. at our location in Arlington. This event consists of a Town Hall Q&A session and Meet & Greet from 5–6:30 p.m., cooking demonstrations, games, contests and fan interaction.

About Emmitt Smith

Emmitt Smith is the NFL's all-time leading rusher (18,355 yards), and was recently inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2010. He also holds the NFL record for career rushing touchdowns (164), and was named to the Pro Bowl eight times. Emmitt starred at the University of Florida where he set 58 school records, earned All-American honors, and was named the 1989 SEC Player of the Year.

About Academy Sports + Outdoors

Academy Sports + Outdoors is a premier sports, outdoor and lifestyle retailer with a broad assortment of high quality hunting, fishing and camping equipment and gear along with sports and leisure products, footwear, apparel and much more. The Texas-based company operates 128 stores throughout Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. The Academy Sports + Outdoors philosophy is to deliver an unparalleled shopping experience by providing convenience, offering a broad selection of quality products, delivering exceptional customer service and selling the right stuff at every day low prices. For more information about Academy Sports + Outdoors visit academy.com.