Meet NFL Legend Emmitt Smith's 5 Children (Including One Who Just Joined the League!)
Meet NFL Legend Emmitt Smith's 5 Children (Including One Who Just Joined the League!)
Nasha SmithMon, April 27, 2026 at 4:03 PM UTC
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Emmitt Smith and four of his kids in July 2023.Credit: Emmitt Smith/Instagram
NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith is a football legend, but his proudest accomplishments are his five children: Jasmin, Rheagen, Emmitt IV, Skylar and Elijah.
The Pro Bowler shares three children with his former wife, Patricia Smith (née Southall), and each has a daughter from a previous relationship.
For Smith, fatherhood is a role he approaches with the same dedication and respect that defined his football career.
“I think every father should take his role extremely serious,” the former running back shared with Essence in 2022. “For me, speaking as an African American man in society, seeing the sacrifices my dad and grandfather did for our family — I have tremendous respect for them.”
As a parent, Smith also believes in giving his children the freedom to discover their own paths, even when it means stepping back from his own expectations.
“What I’ve come to learn is that a child has to choose their path, and they have to choose it without regrets,” he told Yahoo in 2015. “Me as a parent, I have to put my fears aside and let my kids decide for themselves if they like a sport or love it or hate it. If they don’t try they will have regrets.”
Here’s everything to know about Emmitt Smith’s five kids: Jasmin, Rheagen, Emmitt IV, Skylar and Elijah.
Jasmin Page Lawrence, 30
Emmitt Smith and his daughter Jasmin.Credit: Emmitt Smith/Instagram
Jasmin Page Lawrence was born on Jan. 15, 1996, to Patricia and her former husband, comedian Martin Lawrence.
In 2018, Jasmin graduated with honors from Duke University before moving to Los Angeles to hone her craft and pursue her dream of acting. Since then, she has appeared in Relatively Famous: Ranch Rules, Family Time and landed a role in Bad Boys for Life — a sequel to her dad’s iconic film.
Emmitt and Patricia proudly supported Jasmin at the movie premiere in January 2020, which coincided with her birthday.
“Happy birthday to my beautiful daughter, Jasmin!! 🎉 We’re so glad we got to share in the fun and support your first cameo at the Bad Boys premier last night! You always light up our lives!!” he wrote on Facebook.
Jasmin has expressed deep gratitude for the unique bond she shares with both her father and "bonus father," who raised her side by side.
“Not only did God bless me with an incredible father, he also gave me an amazing bonus father,” she wrote on Instagram in August 2019. “Over the years, the two of you have poured so much love into me and have worked together seamlessly to be incredible examples of great men in my life."
In November 2024, Jasmin and Eric Murphy, son of legendary comedian Eddie Murphy, announced their engagement after more than three years of dating.
The two tied the knot months later in an intimate church wedding in May 2025, and welcomed their first child together, a girl named Ari Skye, in April 2026.
Rheagen Smith, 27
Emmitt Smith and his daughter Rheagen in December 2023.Credit: Emmitt Smith/Instagram
Emmitt welcomed Rheagen Smith on Nov. 2, 1998, with his former partner, Hope Wilson.
The Texas native grew up as a track and field athlete, competing in sprints and hurdles. She also played soccer and was named to the United States Women’s U-18 National Team roster training camp in high school, per her college athlete bio.
Rheagen went on to play soccer at Texas A&M University, where she took home the 12th Man Award in 2017.
Her father’s influence played a significant role in shaping her approach to sports and preparation.
“My father always pushed me to be the best player that I could be,” Rheagen told The Battalion in 2020. “He always made sure that I was preparing the correct way and wanted me healthy on the inside and outside."
Rheagen graduated from Texas A&M in May 2021 with a degree in business administration and management, per her LinkedIn. A year later, she earned her master's in entrepreneurship from the same school.
She now works as an account manager at Apex Systems, a global technology services firm.
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In her downtime, Rheagen spends lots of quality time with her family. She attended her brother’s graduation in 2020, enjoys football games with her siblings and test-driving cars with her dad.
The Hall of Famer never misses an opportunity to show love to his daughter.
“Wishing a huge Happy Birthday to my daughter Rheagen!” he wrote on Instagram in 2023. “You bring so much joy and love into our lives every day, and I couldn't be prouder of the person you're becoming.”
Emmitt "EJ" Smith IV, 23
Emmitt Smith and his son Emmitt IV in February 2023.Credit: Emmitt Smith/Instagram
Emmitt Smith IV — who goes by EJ — was born on May 15, 2002, and is the eldest son of the NFL legend and his wife.
EJ followed in his dad's footsteps with a career in football as a running back. His dedication and talent earned him a spot on the football team at Stanford University, where he graduated with a degree in innovation and organization in 2023, per his LinkedIn.
A slew of injuries limited his playing time in Palo Alto, so the student athlete transferred to Texas A&M University to use up his remaining eligibility. He graduated with a master's in real estate in 2025.
As the son of arguably the greatest running back of all time, EJ has faced high expectations throughout his football career. When asked how he handles the pressure of following in his father’s footsteps, he said he blocks out the noise.
“I’m here to make my own name and people think I’m here because of who my dad is, but I put in the work and most statements aren’t true,” he said in an interview with The Roundup in 2019. “And even if [the statements were true], I’m setting the stage for myself and hopefully as the years go by I keep on succeeding in what I love to do."
Despite EJ citing his dad as his "mentor," the elder Emmitt has said that he's learned when to pull back the reigns and just be his dad.
“There's a distinct difference between the two,” he told the in 2023. “What he gets from Emmitt is football, business and worldly knowledge. What he gets from Dad is a little love — a little bit different."
He continued, "So he needs someone to talk to. He doesn't need someone that's going to give him all the answers; he needs someone that he can actually connect with.”
EJ declared for the 2026 draft and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent.
Skylar Smith, 22
Emmitt Smith and his daughter Skylar in October 2024.Credit: Emmitt Smith/Instagram
Skylar Smith was born on Oct. 15, 2003. The youngest of Emmitt’s daughters is a fashion and beauty enthusiast who shares her outfits and skincare favorites across her social media platforms.
She is currently a student at the University of Georgia, where she is studying journalism, per her LinkedIn.
In the summers, from 2022 to 2024, Skylar interned with her dad’s former team as part of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
Reflecting on her time with the organization, she wrote in an August 2022 Instagram post, “I had the best summer learning, growing, experiencing, and creating relationships that will last a lifetime.”
Skylar expressed gratitude for the staff and team, calling it a "true sisterhood" and highlighting the valuable lessons she gained during her internship.
Elijah Alexander James Smith, 15
Emmitt Smith with his son prior to the Las Vegas Bowl on December 27, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Credit: Steve Nurenberg/Icon Sportswire via Getty
Elijah Alexander James Smith was born on Sept. 22, 2010. The father and son are very close, attending concerts, golf tournaments and football games together
As he grows older, Elijah is starting to embrace his own adventures and milestones.
“Elijah is busy enjoying his first camp away and making lifelong memories! So far so good!!” Emmitt wrote on Instagram in 2021.
Even with Elijah’s growing independence, Emmitt cherishes the everyday moments they share. Whether it’s driving his son to school or spending quality time together on trips, the proud dad makes a point to savor their bond.
“I love moments like these with my little guy, Elijah!” he wrote in 2021 after taking his son to school. “We're ending the week with some quality time before school, fired up to conquer the day.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
