Emmitt Smith talking on stage of his 2010 Hall of Fame announcement.

IRVING, Texas - Like Michael Irvin in 2007, the culmination of Emmitt Smith's marvelous career - his election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday - occurred in his home state of Florida.

The Pensacola native starred for the Gators, then arrived in Dallas with only moderate fanfare as the 17th overall pick. He left as the most decorated running back in NFL history, breaking league records in yards and touchdowns.

Given the announcement's location, let's peruse the Emmitt Smith timeline, starting with the 1990 draft and highlighting just a few of countless memorable moments over the next 20 years.

April 22, 1990: Remember the admitted "crazy" polka-dot suit? Who could forget Smith's loud attire the day the Cowboys traded up to 17th in the first round and drafted the last of the Triplets - the foundation for three Super Bowl titles in the 90s. As the story goes, the Cowboys initially coveted linebacker James Francis but turned their attention to Smith after the Bengals grabbed Francis at No. 12.

Dec. 22, 1991: The Cowboys reached the playoffs for the first time since 1985, and Smith individually was growing into a force on the field. With 160 yards in a regular-season finale win over Atlanta, Smith clinched his first of four NFL rushing titles (1,563).

1993 Season: One of the most memorable in Smith's 12-year tenure. After missing the first two games due to a contract holdout - the defending Super Bowl champion Cowboys lost both - Smith's return prompted a seven-game win streak en route to a second straight Lombardi Trophy. He won his second of three consecutive NFL rushing titles as well as the league MVP award. His 237 rushing yards Oct. 31 against Philadelphia remains a single-season franchise record.

Jan. 2, 1994: "The Shoulder Game" deserves its own entry as part of the 1993 season. The Cowboys clinched the NFC East title and first-round on the final day of the regular season with Smith hardly at full strength. He separated his shoulder in the first half, but kept playing and finished with 229 total yards in a 16-13 overtime victory.

Dec. 25, 1995: Smith finished the 1995 regular season with three special accomplishments: a career-high and team-record 1,773 rushing yards that clinched his fourth rushing title (only the fifth player ever to do so), as well as a single-season NFL-record 25 rushing touchdowns.

Nov. 8, 1998: With 163 yards in a 16-6 win over the Giants, Smith passed Tony Dorsett (12,036) to become the Cowboys' all-time leading rusher - a precursor for his (and maybe the NFL's) greatest statistical accomplishment.

Oct. 27, 2002: "Move over Sweetness, make a place for Emmitt" was long-time play-by-play voice Brad Sham's call as Smith's 11-yard run against the Seattle Seahawks passed Walter Payton for the league's all-time rushing record. Officials briefly stopped the game at Texas Stadium so Smith could celebrate with friends and family. He also shared a tearful sideline embrace with former fullback Daryl Johnston, who blocked for so many of Smith's runs over the years. It would mark his final season in Dallas.

Oct. 5, 2003: Released on Feb. 27, Smith signed a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals and made his return to Texas Stadium in a 24-7 loss to the Cowboys. His appearance was shortened, however, by a fractured scapula that sidelined him the next six games. Smith's six carries for minus-1 yards against the Cowboys marked the first game in his career he rushed for negative yardage.

Feb. 3, 2005: Smith played one more season in Arizona before announcing his retirement in tearful press conference in Jacksonville, site of the Super Bowl. With team owner Jerry Jones at his side, Smith thanked a long list of friends, family members and colleagues that aided his success. He signed a one-day contract so he could retire a Cowboy. "I see this as one of the greatest success stories of a man not only evolving as a player but as a person," Jones said. "Your place with the Dallas Cowboys and what you were about has always been secure. You were always a Dallas Cowboy." Smith retired as the league record-holder for rushing yards (18,355), rushing touchdowns (164) and 100-yard games (78).

Sept. 19, 2005: The Triplets reunited for one Monday Night only. In a special halftime ceremony at Texas Stadium, Smith, Irvin and Troy Aikman were inducted into the Ring of Honor.

Feb. 6, 2010: Smith became the 12th man with Cowboys ties elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He will be formally inducted with the 2010 Class in an August ceremony in Canton, Ohio.