FRISCO, Texas -- On Oct. 27, 2002, Emmitt Smith became the all-time leading rusher in NFL history, breaking Walter Payton's record. Just about four months later, Smith was released by the Dallas Cowboys.

On Nov. 30, 2017, Dez Bryant became the Cowboys' all-time leader in touchdown catches with a 13-yard grab in the fourth quarter of a win against the Washington Redskins. Just about four months later, Bryant was released by the Cowboys.

Smith said he was surprised the Cowboys decided to part ways with Bryant, "but decisions are made, man, and this is a clear indication of how much of a business this really is."

Smith wanted to end his career as a Cowboys-only player, and most likely so did Bryant, who had an eight-year run with the club after being picked in the first round in 2010.

"Not only I didn't [finish as a Cowboy], but a whole lot more people didn't get the chance for their careers to finish here, even all the way back to the [Tony] Dorsett days, when you think about it," Smith said. "So it happens, and so you just have to be prepared to deal with whatever you have to deal with, and hopefully some other team picks you up, and when you get there, you've got to shine like you shined here. ... We always come into this game with the understanding that it's going to end someday."

Smith's time with the Cowboys ended after 13 seasons, three Super Bowl wins, a league MVP and four rushing titles.

The Cowboys then were transitioning after three straight 5-11 finishes from 2000 to '02. Bill Parcells was hired by Jerry Jones to turn around the franchise. The Hall of Fame coach respected Smith but wanted a break from the past. Smith was the last of the Triplets remaining. The roster wasn't very good.

"It was my time to move on," Smith said. "And by moving on, it gave me a chance to have closure in the game itself."

Unlike with Bryant, owner and general manager Jerry Jones did not have to break the news of a release to Smith.

"First of all, Jerry and I had a couple different sit-downs," Smith said. "We had a sit-down at his house to talk about stuff, and in the process of having that conversation, it was a clear understanding he and I both came to an agreement that this is what we're going to do. And I was like, 'OK, let's do it. No problem.'"

Smith was at a different point in his career than Bryant. He was 33 during his final season in Dallas. Bryant is 29. Bryant has talked about wanting to stay in the NFC East so he can play the Cowboys twice. Smith joined the Arizona Cardinals.

"I never felt anger, never felt revenge," Smith said. "None of those things crossed my mind. What I did want to do was to perform well. That's what I wanted to do. Whether or not I got 100 yards, it didn't matter. If I got 75, I would've been happy. If I scored two touchdowns, I would've been ecstatic. If we won the game, I'd have been off the planet. But that wasn't the case. And mine didn't end up that way."

After signing with the Cardinals, Smith said he felt like a "diamond surrounded by trash" in his final years with the Cowboys. In his return to Texas Stadium, Smith carried six times and lost 1 yard. He also suffered a broken shoulder blade.

Smith returned to Arizona in 2004 and ran for 937 yards, the same total he had in his first season with the Cowboys in 1990.

When a tearful Smith announced his retirement at Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville, Florida, Jones was sitting by his side.

"I was OK with it," Smith said of his release from the Cowboys. "I really was OK with it because after 13 years here I'd done all I could do, and I understood what I was getting myself into, and I understood what the dilemma was. I would've loved to stay here, but that wasn't the case. The cards was not dealt that way. And I accepted the simple fact that it was time for me to move on and try to take my talents to another place and see if I still loved the game as much as I did when I was playing for the Dallas Cowboys.

"So for me, it gave me a chance to have a point of clarity. It gave me a chance to understand and appreciate my 13 years here, but not only that but how much I really loved the organization. Dez, I can't speak for Dez, but the way I see it, my life and my Cowboys' history here and my destiny as a football player is all intertwined with the Dallas Cowboys."