Emmitt Smith is the NFL all-time leading rusher, a four-time Pro Bowler, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys, a future hall of famer, and…king of the ballroom. Whaaaaat?

Dancing circles around the competition, Smith was declared the winner of Fox’s “Dancing with the Stars” on Nov. 15. With the win, Smith became more famous for his lightning-fast quick step and his offensive samba than for his 17,162 yards rushing and career 153 touchdowns. The most amazing part of the accomplishment was that Smith showed he could bring his game not just any given Sunday, but also every Tuesday and Wednesday if he got enough votes.

Smith got as much press in the past two months as he did when he tore up defences all over the NFL. From yelling “Start your engines!” at a NASCAR race to doing charity events, Smith went all over America and got votes from every possible source as a dancer, not as a former football great. Throughout those two months, the fact that he was one of the best football players ever to grace the field was non-existent in people’s minds.

During an appearance on Monday Night Football, he spent more time being ridiculed and answering questions about dancing than he did analyzing the sport he devoted his earlier life to. The crazy thing is that the audience bought it. Millions of Americans voted for Smith because of the positive press he got as a dancer, and without using his past as leverage for more votes.

Smith hit a new high with a female fan base, who loved his tenacity and light-heartedness on Fox’s dance program. Owing to the female devotion, and husbands subjected to watching the show, Smith’s votes grew every week, ushering him in as Emmitt the dancer, not Emmitt the all-time leading rusher.

So a once adored football star reclaimed the limelight due to a dancing program. A DANCING PROGRAM! Which begs the question: if Smith, who didn’t need a comeback, can get one from Dancing with the Stars, what other professional athletes could use this spotlight?

Pete Rose: Can Pete Rose dance his way into the hearts of America and the hearts of Baseball’s Hall of Fame voting writers? Would he bet on himself?

Chad Johnson, sorry Ocho Cinco: If he can bring his touchdown celebrations to the ballroom, ratings will skyrocket. Plus, he can do one funky chicken dance.

Dennis Rodman: If his dancing career is anything like his basketball career, it will certainly be one interesting bit of television. Maybe he can rid that image of him doing an interview in a bridal gown by dancing in a bridal gown.

Don Cherry: Don would be chosen for purely educational reasons. He would dance and try to encourage Americans about hockey, and if he’s paired with a European dancer, Grapes can finally learn the European style of play from all corners of the floor.

Terrell Owens: Just another chapter in the T.O. saga. If the votes don’t come rolling in, he’ll build up a new bitter animosity towards a dance partner who didn’t give him enough opportunities on the floor.

Barry Bonds: That two-fingered lift he does, that’s all from honest work, no other source. Plus Barry just loves the camera.

Mike Tyson: Enough said.