One of the highlights of the FABTECH Expo 2025, was the Tuesday morning keynote from NHL Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith. What could the Dallas Cowboys three-times Superbowl champion and all-time leading rusher teach manufacturers, fabricators, and welders teach us?
Beyond his footballing exploits, he has become a respected entrepreneur and a bestselling author. The theme of his talk was adapting to change and overcoming obstacles.
“Change happens to all of us; you don’t know what’s on the other side,” he said. “When facing change, you need to broaden your game and prepare for opportunities.”
He regaled the crowd with tales from his storied career. Early in his football career, an eight-year-old Emmitt wanted to be a quarterback. His coach convinced him to move to running back and history was made. Smith earned plenty of laughs when he explained his reaction to the very first heavy tackle he experienced.
‘A spirit of intimidation overcame me when an older kid tackled me hard,” he said. “I learned to avoid contact at all costs, just as safety is so important in manufacturing facilities. But you can’t let fear hold you back or become a driving force.”
Further gems from the football legend:
No man is bigger than the team and no one is successful by themselves.
When you become too comfortable you can fumble. Learn to deal with uncomfortable situations so that you can learn more and grow.
Bad stuff is going to happen. You can either go into the corner, and think “poor me,” or decide to face them.
Consistency keeps you where you are; but be prepared for opportunities and take advantage of them when they occur.
Believe in yourself and what you are capable of achieving.
Adjust the system to the talent you have.
For an audience dealing with the onslaught of collaborative robots (cobots), automation, and AI, his talk hit home. They could see the parallel between a person struggling to become a successful running and a manufacturer or fabricator trying to find the right path in a world that is rapidly transforming.
“It’s not about change that really affects who we are. It's our attitude towards change that really limits our possibilities,” said Smith.
FABTECH will return to Las Vegas for the first time in a decade, taking place October 21–23, 2026.