Walter Payton vs Emmitt Smith Comparison
Head-to-head comparison of NFL Hall of Fame running backs Walter Payton and Emmitt Smith that includes stats, Super Bowls, and various awards. Go to our Player Comparison page to check out other comparisons.
Position, Height and Weight
Teams
Walter Payton – Chicago Bears
Emmitt Smith – Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals
Position
Walter Payton – Running Back
Emmitt Smith – Running Back
Height
Walter Payton – 5’10”
Emmitt Smith – 5’9″
Weight
Walter Payton – 200
Emmitt Smith – 221
Super Bowl and Seasons Played
Super Bowls Wins
Walter Payton – 1 (1986) 
Emmitt Smith – 3 (1993, 1994, 1996)
Super Bowl Appearances
Walter Payton – 1 (1986)
Emmitt Smith – 3 (1993, 1994, 1996)
Playoff Appearances
Walter Payton – 6 (1977, 1979, 1984-1987)
Emmitt Smith – 8 (1991-1996, 1998-1999)
Seasons Played
Walter Payton – 13
Emmitt Smith – 15
Awards and Honors
Hall of Fame
Walter Payton – Yes (1993)
Emmitt Smith – Yes (2010)
Number Retired
Walter Payton – Yes (Bears 34)
Emmitt Smith – No
NFL MVPs
Walter Payton – 3 (1976, 1977, 1985)
Emmitt Smith – 2 (1992, 1993)
Super Bowl MVP
Walter Payton – 0
Emmitt Smith – 1 (1994)
Pro Bowls
Walter Payton – 9 (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986)
Emmitt Smith – 8 (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999)
AP First Team All-Pro
Walter Payton – 6 (1976, 1977, 1980, 1984, 1985)
Emmitt Smith – 4 (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995)
AP Second Team All-Pro
Walter Payton – 3 (1978-1979, 1986)
Emmitt Smith – 1 (1991)
NFL Rushing Leader
Walter Payton – 1 (1977)
Emmitt Smith – 4 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1995)
NFL Rushing Touchdown Leader
Walter Payton – 1 (1977)
Emmitt Smith – 3 (1992, 1994-1995)
NFL Offensive Player of the Year
Walter Payton – 2 (1977, 1985)
Emmitt Smith – 1 (1993)
Conference Offensive Player of the Year
Walter Payton – 2 (1977, 1985)
Emmitt Smith – 1 (1993)
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Walter Payton – 0
Emmitt Smith – 1 (1990)
Regular Season Career Stats
Games
Walter Payton – 190
Emmitt Smith – 226
Games Started
Walter Payton – 184
Emmitt Smith – 219
Attempts
Walter Payton – 3,838
Emmitt Smith – 4,409 (Record)
Rushing Yards
Walter Payton – 16,726
Emmitt Smith – 18,355 (Record)
Touchdowns
Walter Payton – 110
Emmitt Smith – 164 (Record)
Longest Rushing Attempt
Walter Payton – 76
Emmitt Smith -75
Rushing Yards per Game
Walter Payton – 88.0
Emmitt Smith – 81.2
Rushing Yards per Attempt
Walter Payton – 4.4
Emmitt Smith – 4.2
Rushing Attempts per Game
Walter Payton – 20.2
Emmitt Smith – 19.5
Receptions
Walter Payton – 492
Emmitt Smith – 515
Receiving Yards
Walter Payton – 4,538
Emmitt Smith – 3,224
Yards per Receptions
Walter Payton – 9.2
Emmitt Smith – 6.3
Receiving Touchdowns
Walter Payton – 15
Emmitt Smith – 11
Longest Reception
Walter Payton – 75
Emmitt Smith – 86
Receptions per Game
Walter Payton – 2.6
Emmitt Smith – 2.3
Receiving Yards Per Game
Walter Payton – 23.9
Emmitt Smith – 14.3
Yards from Scrimmage
Walter Payton – 21,264
Emmitt Smith – 21,579
All-Purpose Yards
Walter Payton – 21,803
Emmitt Smith – 21,579
Fumbles
Walter Payton – 86
Emmitt Smith – 61
Playoffs Career Stats
Games
Walter Payton – 9
Emmitt Smith – 17
Games Started
Walter Payton – 9
Emmitt Smith – 17
Attempts
Walter Payton – 180
Emmitt Smith – 349
Rushing Yards
Walter Payton – 632
Emmitt Smith – 1,586 (Record)
Touchdowns
Walter Payton – 2
Emmitt Smith – 19 (Record)
Longest Rushing Attempt
Walter Payton – 20
Emmitt Smith – 65
Rushing Yards per Game
Walter Payton – 70.2
Emmitt Smith – 93.3
Rushing Yards per Attempt
Walter Payton – 3.5
Emmitt Smith – 4.5
Receptions
Walter Payton – 22
Emmitt Smith – 46
Receiving Yards
Walter Payton – 178
Emmitt Smith – 342
Yards per Receptions
Walter Payton – 8.1
Emmitt Smith – 7.4
Receiving Touchdowns
Walter Payton – 0
Emmitt Smith – 2
Longest Reception
Walter Payton – 31
Emmitt Smith – 28
Receptions per Game
Walter Payton – 2.4
Emmitt Smith – 2.7
Receiving Yards Per Game
Walter Payton – 19.8
Emmitt Smith – 20.1
Yards from Scrimmage
Walter Payton – 810
Emmitt Smith – 1,928
Fumbles
Walter Payton – 4
Emmitt Smith – 4
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