Daryl 'Moose' Johnston Keeps Lost Art of the Fullback in Our Memory

Somebody always steals the show at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony with a teary speech.

This year, though, they guy on the receiving end of the sobbing words did.

Emmitt Smith‘s emotional thanks to his teammates was the highlight of Saturday night’s event, but it was his appreciation for his lead blocker, Daryl “Moose” Johnston, that was most poignant.

Of the Moose, Emmitt said:

“Daryl Johnston, where are you? Will you please stand? You mean the
world to me (tearing up) not just because we shared the same backfield,
but because you sacrificed so much for me. People don’t understand what
it took to be a fullback in our system, the sacrifices you made not
simply with your body but your whole spirit. You took care of me as
though you were taking care of your little brother. Without you,
without you, I know today would not have been possible. I love you from
the bottom of my heart.”

Johnston was forced to retire prematurely due to neck injuries incurred paving the way for the game’s all-time leading rusher, but like the majority of the 1990s Dallas Cowboys stars, he has found success in the TV studio. Along with Michael Irvin, Troy Aikman, Smith and Jimmy Johnson, Moose can be seen talking NFL on Sundays, making him the world’s ambassador of the fullback position.

Fullbacks, it seems, are a dying breed. Since the retirements of Moose and Mike Alstott, the position has lacked a marquee player, and the game has moved away from bruising rush-heavy offenses to some extent.

Still, Smith’s words, as well as Moose’s presence in the announcing booth, remind us how great fullbacks can be.

Photo of the Day

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Quote of the Day

“People aren’t paying to watch people talk (expletive) to each other back and forth. People are paying to watch people fight.”
–UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, prior to his UFC 117 bout

Comment of the Day

Regarding the Carlos Delgado signing, many fans are saying “why not?”

“Look,
Delgado is an extremely low-risk pickup. It only cost a little money to
get him. Yes, he is getting old, but if Mikey’s hip fails him again,
we’ll be glad to have Delgado waiting in the wings. There just wasn’t a
whole lot else available. At least Delgado can still hit. Would people
here rather we give up a minor leaguer to get Kotchman back? Personally,
I’ll take Delgado.”
–Frank

Video of the Day

UFC may have become wildly popular, but you still don’t see many of its faces doing endorsements or appearing in mainstream culture. With Randy Couture starring in upcoming testosterone-fest The Expendables, that may be changing, but for now, Jean-Claude Van Damme is the fighter with the goofiest commercial.