Cowboys Legend Emmitt Smith Speaks Out to Defend Ryan Flournoy After Shocking Remarks by Super Bowl Legend Cris Collinsworth on NBC Sports Tuesday Night

Dallas, Texas – December 24, 2025

Just hours after blunt remarks from Cris Collinsworth on NBC Sports ignited backlash Tuesday night, one of the most iconic voices in Dallas Cowboys history stepped forward. Emmitt Smith, the greatest legend the franchise has ever known, publicly defended Ryan Flournoy amid criticism he believes crossed a clear line.

The controversy traces back to the two-game suspension of Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman, who was ruled to have committed a helmet-to-helmet foul directly on Flournoy during the Cowboys’ matchup with the Chargers. While the NFL emphasized that Perryman violated player-safety rules, the media narrative quickly shifted — and Flournoy unexpectedly became the focal point of scrutiny.

During the prime-time broadcast, Collinsworth delivered comments that stunned many viewers, directly questioning how Flournoy handled the collision.

“At this level, you have to protect yourself better,” Collinsworth said on air. “If you keep ending up in situations like that, then the question becomes whether you’re really ready for the NFL.”

The brief but cutting statement spread rapidly across social media, triggering waves of criticism aimed at Flournoy — despite the fact that he was the player on the receiving end of an illegal hit. Overnight, the young Cowboys wideout found himself at the center of a league-wide debate.

Not long after, Emmitt Smith broke his silence. Speaking privately with reporters, he chose a firm yet measured response — one shaped by decades of experience under the brightest lights the NFL has to offer.

“I’m not stepping in to excuse what happened on the field,” Smith said. “Ryan has to face it and learn from it — that’s football. But when a single moment gets blown up into harsh criticism on national television, that’s when I believe the line has been crossed. He’s still here. He’s still standing in that locker room. He’s still fighting for the star on his chest — and to me, that says more than any judgment coming from the outside.”

Smith’s message quickly resonated across Cowboys Nation and throughout the NFL. For many, it wasn’t just a defense of one player, but a broader reminder that the victim of a dangerous foul should not become the target of public blame.

Inside the Dallas Cowboys locker room, Flournoy continues to receive strong support. Coaches have praised the way he handled the situation — remaining composed, respectful, and focused on football — viewing it as a clear sign of maturity beyond his years.

NBC Sports has not issued additional comment from Collinsworth, but his remarks have sparked a wider conversation about where the line should be drawn between legitimate analysis and placing responsibility on the player who was fouled.

For Emmitt Smith, the issue is ultimately about legacy and values. The Cowboys’ tradition isn’t defined solely by championships or statistics, but by how players wearing the silver star carry themselves under pressure — even when they’re the ones left on the ground after a dangerous play.