Abstract
This paper discusses the career of professional athlete, Emmitt Smith. The paper contends that there are some who say that Smith is only a football player and should certainly not lay a foundation of any significance in our culture. The writer of this paper believes otherwise and aims to prove that Emmitt Smith is and should continue to be a cultural icon for his many achievements.
Outline
Introduction
Cultural View
Sporting Icons
Emmitt Smith the Person
The Dallas Cowboys
Conclusion

From the Paper
"These revenues that are generated in a direct or indirect manner by the professional athletes like Emmitt Smith also are an example of how important they are in the realm of the current trends towards globalization for both business and cultural views of the world. "One specific focus of these debates is whether or not the new international economic, national, and cultural alliances, in conjunction with an ever-expanding mediascape, are contributing to a standardized, homogenized, and globally shared culture. The emergent, simulated cultural space and experience, which are largely, but not exclusively, driven by the machinations of American-mediated popular culture, are seemingly demonstrated by the universal presence of commodity-signs such as CNN, Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Nike, Baywatch, the Disney Corporation, the NBA, and the focus of our analysis, Michael Jordan. While it would be a mistake to deny the global ubiquity of this ever-expanding economy of cultural artifacts, it would be equally erroneous to suggest that an increased circulation of commodity-signs inevitably leads to the creation of globally homogeneous or "Americanized" patterns of popular cultural existence." (Sands) "

Tags:football, dallas, cowboys