Emmitt Smith Wins <I>Dancing With the Stars</I>

Adding to his three Super Bowl trophies, Emmitt Smith has a new title -- champion of Dancing With the Stars.

Smith edged out fellow finalist, Mario Lopez, in Wednesday night's result show to determine the champion.

"It is awesome! It is awesome!" declared Smith, after hugging his professional dance partner, Cheryl Burke, according to the Associated Press. "We came a long way, we really have."

Burke won last year's title with Drew Lachey.

Smith had kind words for Lopez, calling him a "true gentleman" and saying he and his partner, Karina Smirnoff, "raised the bar" during the contest, the AP reported.

"This whole journey was unbelievable...And Karina, most unbelievable person," Lopez gushed, according to the AP. "It's something I'll never forget."

Burke praised her partner's work ethic from the beginning of the show to the final dance.

"From the beginning, he just wanted to be the best possible dancer he can be," she said, according to the AP.