Emmitt Smith

The Birthplace Of Greatness

Emmitt Smith left his mark on Pensacola, Fla. He returned there for his "Homecoming," which airs Thursday, 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. Rick Reilly » Trip to the parkVideo  Smith offered a carVideo  

ESPN RISE

PHOTO GALLERY

Check out behind-the-scenes photos of "Homecoming with Rick Reilly" as he travels to Joe Mauer's hometown. Photo Gallery

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VIDEO: HAVE YOU SEEN...?

ABOUT THE SHOW

MEET MAGIC JOHNSON

    Rick Reilly presents ...Magic Johnson
    • Earvin Johnson has been called "Magic" since high school, and, boy, did he know some tricks.
    • He made a place called East Lansing, Michigan, appear on maps.
    • Magic made college hoops ritzy.
    • He lit up entire cities -- not to mention TV ratings -- without the use of electricity.
    • Magic Johnson made stuff appear in the NBA that hadn't been seen in years -- like the assist.
    • And joy ...
    • It got so that every time he played, you just had to look -- even if he didn't.
    • Like any good magician, he used hidden strings ...
    • And sleight of hand.
    • And yes even birds.
    • Of course, it wasn't magic. it was just boatloads of skill, and imagination and heart.
    • And then, when Showtime couldn't possibly get any better.
    • The show ended
    • He was 32 years old. we were all sure we'd never see him again.
    • But that's when an amazing thing happened. Magic never left.
    • He only went to new places.
    • Instead of shrinking, Magic only got bigger.
    • Showtime turned to Dough-time.
    • And the assists kept coming.
    • And so it is that Magic Johnson is healthy, wealthy and arguably the most loved basketball player in American history.
    • Tonight, Magic Johnson comes home to Jenison Fieldhouse at Michigan State and Homecoming tries to celebrate his incomparable life in just 60 minutes.
    • Now THAT will be a trick.

HOMECOMING TV SCHEDULE

Date (ET) Network Guest
Dec. 14
7 p.m. 		ESPN Magic Johnson
Jan. 15
4 p.m. 		ABC Magic Johnson

Full TV schedule »