After setting all sorts of rushing records, including being the first player to rush for 1,400 rushing yards or more in five consecutive seasons, setting the new NFL record with 25 rushing touchdowns in a season and becoming just the 12th player to reach the 10,000 career rushing yards plateau, Emmitt Smith set his sights on the Holy Grail: Walter Payton’s NFL record of 3,838 all-time career carries. The Cowboys running back began the 2002 season with 3,798 carries and needed just 41 more for the title. In Week 1, Smith had 17 carries against Houston, followed by 18 more against Tennessee in Week 3. He needed six more to surpass Payton, which he did in Week 3 versus Philadelphia. During the game, Smith recorded his 6th carry in the second quarter, making him the all-time career champ. This is the ball Emmitt Smith used to set the record that still stands. The Wilson Official NFL ball shows great game use, with many scuffs and turf marks from the historic game. It is not often that a ball used to break a long-standing record comes up for auction, and this documented piece from the man who broke it is a piece of football history worthy of a museum. This ball comes with a signed LOA from Emmitt Smith for the game use and a hologram from Prova for the game use.

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