This is a special player spotlight celebrating Rod Smith’s career with the Denver Broncos. Rod was picked up in 1995 by the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri Southern State. Always a true workhorse and professional both on the field and in the community, Rod was instrumental throughout his career with Denver and a major factor in both of their back to back Super Bowl championships in 1997 and 1998.
Here are his statistics after 13 years with the Broncos:
Receiving
849 receptions in 183 games for 11,389 yards and 68 touchdowns. He averaged 13.4 yards per catch with his longest coming in at 85 yards. Rod led the NFL in 2001 with 113 catches.
Kick and Punt Returns
In 31 games Rod returned 53 punts for 647 yards and a touchdown and 6 kickoffs for 29 yards. These were not flashy numbers but show that he would do whatever it took to help out the team.
Rushing
Rod ran the ball 44 times in 183 games for a total of 348 yards and a touchdown. His longest run went for 50 yards and he averaged 7.9 yards per carry.
Passing
in 183 games he was 2 for 5 for 86 total yards and no touchdowns. His longest passing completion was for 72 yards.
Career Accomlishments
- He is the only undrafted player in NFL history to reach more than 10,000 yards receiving and the 24th overall
- He has more catches, receiving yards and touchdowns than any undrafted player in NFL history
- Denver’s all-time leader in yards from scrimmage
- in Super Bowl XXXIII (Suck it Atlanta!) He had 5 catches for 152 yards, 4th most in Super Bowl History
- Elected to the Pro Bowl 3 times in 2000, 2001 and 2005
- 2 time All Pro selection in 2000 and 2001
- 2 time (back to back) Super Bowl Champion in 1997 (XXXII) and 1998 (XXXIII)
- Denver’s leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns all-time
Today, after 13 years of nothing less than professional play, leadership and consistency Rod Smith will announce his retirement at a 2:00 PM press conference. This is a bittersweet day for Bronco fans. Rod was hampered with an injury last season and recently had surgery to repair a bad hip, eventually resulting with the Broncos putting him on the Injured Reserve list. He will end his Broncos career as the greatest undrafted free agent to ever put on the Orange and Blue. He was as big of an icon in the Denver community as he was on the field and he will truly be missed.
God speed Rod, we will see you in the Ring of Fame.
July 24, 2008 at 9:29 am
Nice article! Great job!
July 24, 2008 at 1:12 pm
thanks Jack
July 24, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I remember meeting him at a restaurant once after he had injured his ankle about 6 years back – really nice guy, he got the waitress to give him a cloth napkin and signed it for me, along with Terrell Davis… really an awesome player, he will be missed…