Former Dancing With the Stars champion Emmitt Smith is getting candid about how the show has changed without beloved judge Len Goodman.
“Len was the ultimate ballroom judge and he did not like a lot of freestyle stuff,” Smith, 57, exclusively told Us via his partnership with AT&T before DWTS’ Dedication Night on Tuesday, October 20. “So, a lot of those hip-hop things that you see right now is probably because Len is not around any longer, unfortunately.”
Goodman retired from DWTS in November 2022 after being a nearly constant presence at the judges’ panel since the show premiered in 2005. He died of prostate cancer in April 2023 at the age of 78.
Smith noted that Goodman was “a great judge,” but he also argued judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli “can appreciate” different styles of dance.
“Len was such a stickler on ballroom because this is a ballroom competition,” the former Dallas Cowboys running back said. “However, the creativity of the dancers and the creativity that you see come out on some of these routines, it actually showcases the talent and the breadth and the depth a person can actually grow to. Sometimes people don’t know that it’s in them until they try these things.”
Smith won the mirrorball trophy — which was later renamed in Goodman’s honor — with partner Cheryl Burke during season 3 of DWTS in 2006. The duo returned for an all-stars season in 2012, ultimately finishing in fourth place.
“I had to learn some of these things myself,” Smith said of the competition’s challenges. “Dancing With the Stars was a great show for a person to really get outside of their comfort zone, let their hair down and just relax and enjoy the moment. If you learn the routine quick enough and the techniques and the posture and everything else, it just flows and you have a ball.”
The NFL Hall of Famer has partnered with AT&T to celebrate this season’s Dedication Night, during which the celebrity dancers will pay tribute to a special person in their lives.
“Back in my era, there was not a Dedication Night,” Smith said. “It has actually evolved and I’m glad that it has because every one of these dancers, including myself, have had someone in our lives that has impacted us in so many different ways.”
Throughout the night, AT&T will sponsor integrations celebrating the people and relationships that shape contestants’ lives.
“With AT&T, they keep everybody connected to the moments that move us,” Smith added. “With Dancing With the Stars, it’s about movement. It’s about moving forward. On the football field, it’s about moving and progressing and scoring touchdowns. As everything else in life, you learn from your mistakes. Even on Dancing With the Stars, you have to learn from these things. The life lessons are all around this show.”
Dancing With the Stars season 35’s Dedication Night airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesday, October 20, at 8 p.m. ET .
