Cowboys Legend Diagnosed with Dementia at 56 - Can't Speak, But Still Remembers Playing for Dallas

Dallas, TX – The NFL world was struck with sadness this week after reports surfaced that one of the Dallas Cowboys’ most beloved former players has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia. At just 56 years old, the condition has already robbed him of his memory and his ability to speak clearly.

According to family sources, the former Cowboy has recently been moved to a long-term care facility outside of Dallas. The decision came after his symptoms worsened, leaving him in need of constant medical supervision and daily cognitive support.

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His wife shared an emotional statement, saying:

“He can’t speak anymore. He only remembers our daughter’s name and that he once played football. He doesn’t even know my name. Doctors say it’s Frontotemporal Dementia, but he’s far too young. I believe constant head trauma from CTA caused it.”

That former Cowboy is Emmitt Smith, a Hall of Famer and cornerstone of Dallas’s championship legacy. Smith anchored the Cowboys’ offense for over a decade, earning eight Pro Bowl selections and four All-Pro honors, while helping lead the team to three Super Bowl victories in the 1990s.

Known for his combination of intelligence, power, and leadership, Smith was the driving force behind one of the league’s most dominant rushing attacks — breaking tackles and setting records as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher during the franchise’s golden era.

Over the years, Smith became a symbol of discipline and toughness in Dallas. But now, those who once played beside him are watching the strongest man they knew face the cruelest fight of all — a battle against his own fading memory. Across Cowboys Nation, tributes have poured in from teammates and fans. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said:

“Emmitt carried us through countless battles. He never quit on the field — and we won’t quit on him now.”

The same courage that defined his career now defines his fight. Even as the disease takes its toll, those closest to him say his spirit remains unbroken — the heart of a champion who still embodies everything it means to be a Cowboy.