Former University of Florida and Dallas Cowboy running back Emmitt Smith seems to be as elusive as ever.
This time, he’s running away from the controversy of presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Smith announced he is withdrawing as a judge for the upcoming Miss USA Pageant as a way of distancing himself from Trump’s assertions that Mexican immigrants add to the number of rapists and drug-dealers in this country. Trump is partial owner of the Miss USA Pageant.
The comments have drawn a strong reaction. Co-hosts Cheryl Burke and Thomas Roberts and performer Flo Rida have also announced they will not participate. Macy’s released a statement saying it had ended a business relationship with Trump, although Trump insisted that was his decision.
Smith was set to be a judge of the pageant, where his wife, Pam, was a first runner-up in 1994.
“In light of Mr. Trump’s statements and the subsequent decisions made by NBC, I have decided not to participate as a judge,” Smith wrote on Twitter. “Knowing firsthand through my wife how much the women prepare for this event, I continue to send my support to everyone competing.”
