Football hall-of-famer Emmitt Smith beat out former Saved by the Bell star Mario Lopez to win Dancing with the Stars.

Smith, 37, beat out the former Saved by the Bell star in the third season of the popular ballroom dance show.

“I am so proud of this trophy and I am proud to share it with Cheryl,” Smith told PEOPLE while gold-colored confetti fell from above. “We worked our tails off.”

“Emmitt embodied what this competition is all about,” season 3 contestant Shanna Moakler said. “He deserved to win. Absolutely.”

Lopez was a bit of a sore loser after Smith was crowned the winner.

“Apparently world-class dancing wasn’t enough. That wasn’t the criteria it was based on,” a dejected Lopez told PEOPLE.

photo: People