Emmitt Smith Discovers His Enslaved Ancestors | S1E2 | Who Do You Think You Are (U.S.)

Emmitt Smith is one of America's most successful American football players, winning the Super Bowl three times whilst playing for the Dallas Cowboys. But being a world-famous footballer came at a cost -- and that cost was family. With his 40th birthday looming, Emmitt felt that the time had come to look back and find out who his ancestors were. He's intrigued by his paternal grandmother Erma Lee Watson, who was rumored to have Native American ancestry. Emmitt's journey takes him deep into rural Alabama and colonial Virginia and back to his slave roots where he uncovers the horrifying truth about the domestic slave trade. A DNA test allows Emmitt to go even deeper into his family history, propelling him to Benin, in West Africa, in search of his genetic cousins. 🚨 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE 🔔 : https://bit.ly/wdytyaTV Who Do You Think You Are (U.S.) - Season 1 Episode 2 - Emmitt Smith This inspiring and informative reality series takes viewers on a personal journey into the pasts of well-known celebrities, sharing their emotion and surprise as they uncover the stories that lie at the heart of their family histories. The show's first season features actress Meera Syal, television host Jeremy Clarkson, wildlife expert Bill Oddie, journalist Moira Stuart, magazine editor Ian Hislop, comedian Vic Reeves, comedian David Baddiel, singer Lesley Garrett, actress Sue Johnston and actress Amanda Redman. #whodoyouthinkyouare #ancestry #geneology In each episode, one of Britain's best-loved celebrities traces their family tree to reveal the surprising, extraordinary and often moving stories of their ancestors. Subscribe now and click on the bell 🔔 to get notifications every time we upload a new video! #emmittsmith 00:00 Intro and Emmitt Smith's Football Legacy 02:45 Starting the Journey in Pensacola, Florida 04:00 Discovering the Watson Family in Burnt Corn, Alabama 06:45 Researching Records at the Monroe County Courthouse 08:36 Finding Ancestors in the 1900 Census 09:32 Uncovering the Purrier Name and Slave History 11:25 Identifying Prince and Mariah in the 1870 Census 13:39 The Alexander Purrier Plantation and Slave Records 18:51 Investigating the Purrier Family History in Virginia 23:56 The Connection Between Mariah and the Slave Owners 28:15 DNA Results and Connecting to African Roots 31:02 Exploring West African Heritage in Benin