CNN

Emmitt Smith campaigned for Obama Wednesday.

(CNN) - Barack Obama may have boogied with talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres last year, but at a campaign event in Dallas Wednesday, the Illinois senator took a bow to another dancing all-star.

Former Dallas Cowboys football player and "Dancing With the Stars" champion Emmitt Smith gave Obama a rousing introduction, but it was Obama who heaped the most praise on his twinkle-toed supporter.

"I knew he could play football. I knew he could dance. But I didn't know he could fire up a crowd the way Emmitt Smith fires up a crowd," Obama said to cheers.

Fresh off his victories in Wisconsin and Hawaii Wednesday, Obama joked to a crowd that Smith would make a tough competitor in any contest.

"Emmitt, what can't you do?" Obama asked as he turned towards the charismatic star. "You haven't found anything yet. Unbelieveable."

"I'm just glad he's not running for president," Obama joked.

Related video: Watch Smith and Obama in Dallas Wednesday

– CNN Associate Producer Rachel Streitfeld