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{{Short description|American football player (born 1970)}}
{{NFL player
{{For|the defensive back|Rod Smith (defensive back)}}
|Image=Rod_Smith.jpg
{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}
|DateOfBirth=[[May 15]], [[1970]]
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
|Birthplace=[[Texarkana, Arkansas]]
{{Infobox NFL biography
|Position=[[Wide receiver]]
| name = Rod Smith
|College=[[Missouri Southern State University]]
| image = Rod Smith (American football).JPG
|DraftedYear=1994
| image_size = 200px
|DraftedRound=Undrafted
| alt =
|PFR=SmithRo00
| caption = Smith in September 2012
|years=1994–Present
| number = 80
|teams=[[Denver Broncos]]
| position = [[Wide receiver]]
|ProBowls=2000, 2001, 2006
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|05|15}}
}}
| birth_place = [[Texarkana, Arkansas]], U.S.
'''Roderick "Rod" Smith''' (born [[May 15]], [[1970]], in [[Texarkana, Arkansas|Texarkana]], [[Arkansas]]) is an [[American football]] player who currently plays [[wide receiver]] for the [[Denver Broncos]] of the [[National Football League|NFL]]. He was signed by the Broncos as an [[undrafted free agent]] in 1994 and is the only [[undrafted free agent]] ever to have 10,000 career receiving yards. He is ranked 15th in NFL history in career receptions and 16th all time in receiving yards. Smith has also had eight 1000 yard seasons in eleven seasons as an NFL player and led the league in receptions in 2001. He won back to back [[Super Bowl]] championships in [[1997]] and [[1998]]. In [[Super Bowl XXXIII]] he had 152 receiving yards, including an 80-yard touchdown reception, in the Broncos 34-19 win. He also was a [[Walter Payton]] Man of the Year finalist in [[2004]].
| death_date =
*1st undrafted player to hit the 10,000 receiving yard milestone, 24th in history.
| death_place =
*Has the most catches, receiving yards and touchdown receptions of any undrafted receiver in NFL history.
| height_ft = 6
*Holds [[Denver Broncos]] franchise records in career receptions, touchdown catches and receiving yards.
| height_in = 0
*He ranks first on Denvers all-time yards from scrimmage list.
| weight_lb = 200
*Holds 8 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
| high_school = [[Arkansas High School|Arkansas]] <br> (Texarkana, Arkansas)
| college = [[Missouri Southern Lions football|Missouri Southern]] (1988–1993)
| undraftedyear = 1994
| pastteams =
* [[Denver Broncos]] ({{NFL Year|1994|2007}})
| highlights =
* 2× [[List of Super Bowl champions|Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XXXII|XXXII]], [[Super Bowl XXXIII|XXXIII]])
* 2× Second-team [[All-Pro]] ([[2000 All-Pro Team|2000]], [[2001 All-Pro Team|2001]])
* 3× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[2001 Pro Bowl|2000]], [[2002 Pro Bowl|2001]], [[2006 Pro Bowl|2005]])
* [[List of NFL annual receptions leaders|NFL receptions leader]] (2001)
* [[Denver Broncos|Denver Broncos Hall of Fame]]
* [[Denver Broncos#50th Anniversary Team|Denver Broncos 50th Anniversary Team]]
* First-team DII [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] (1993)
* 2× First-team All-[[Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association|MIAA]] (1992, 1993)
| statlabel1 = [[Reception (gridiron football)|Receptions]]
| statvalue1 = 849
| statlabel2 = [[Reception (American football)|Receiving yards]]
| statvalue2 = 11,389
| statlabel3 = [[Touchdown|Receiving touchdowns]]
| statvalue3 = 68
| pfr = SmitRo01
| CollegeHOF = 2231
}}


'''Roderick Duane Smith'''<ref>{{cite web | title=ESPN Profile | work= ESPN.com | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/866
He was selected to play in the [[Pro Bowl]] in [[2000]], [[2001]] and [[2006 Pro Bowl|2006]].
}}</ref> (born May 15, 1970) is an American former [[American football|football]] [[wide receiver]] who played for 14 seasons with the [[Denver Broncos]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL). He played [[college football]] for the [[Missouri Southern Lions football|Missouri Southern Lions]] and was signed by the Broncos as an [[undrafted free agent]] and played his entire career with the team. {{As of|2023}}'s offseason, his 849 career receptions and 11,389 receiving yards ranked him 30th all-time for receptions and 34th for yards.<ref>See customizable lists at [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_career.htm pro-football-reference.com]</ref>


==Early life and education==
==NFL Statistics==
At [[Arkansas High School|Arkansas Senior High School]] in [[Texarkana, Arkansas]], Smith [[Letterman (sports)|lettered]] two years in [[High school football|football]] and [[basketball]], and one year in [[baseball]]. As a senior in football, he was All-League, All-Area, and All-State. Outside of football Rod Smith has three kids (Roderick Smith Jr., Devin Smith, and Vanessa Webb). He is a business entrepreneur as he has expressed in many interviews. Some of these have featured his kids speaking about their father's accomplishments on and off the field.
{|


===College career===
|- align=center
Smith enjoyed a stellar career at [[Missouri Southern State University]], finishing with conference records in career receiving yards (3,043) and touchdowns (34). He also broke the school's reception record (153), and was named first-team [[All-America]] by [[Associated Press|AP]], [[Kodak]], Football Gazette and [[NCAA Division II]] sports information directors after his senior year. In his final season, Smith caught 63 passes for 986 yards and 13 touchdowns, and was a finalist for the [[Harlon Hill Trophy]], given annually to the top football player at the Division II level. He was named Missouri Southern's Outstanding Graduate in 1994 after completing his collegiate studies with three degrees, in economics and finance, general business, as well as marketing and management.<ref>[http://www.nflplayers.com/players/player.aspx?id=21220 Rod Smith | Players | Nflplayers.Com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|'''Year''' ||'''Team''' ||'''G''' ||'''GS''' ||'''Rec''' ||'''Yards''' ||'''AVG''' ||'''LG''' ||'''TD'''
|- align=center
|1995 ||DEN ||16 ||1 ||6 ||152 ||25.3 ||43 ||1
|- align=center
|1996 ||DEN ||10 ||1 ||16 ||237 ||14.8 ||49 ||2
|- align=center
|1997 ||DEN ||16 ||16 ||70 ||1180 ||16.9 ||78 ||12
|- align=center
|1998 ||DEN ||16 ||16 ||86 ||1222 ||14.2 ||58 ||6
|- align=center
|1999 ||DEN ||15 ||15 ||79 ||1020 ||12.9 ||71 ||4
|- align=center
|2000 ||DEN ||16 ||16 ||100 ||1602 ||16.0 ||49 ||8
|- align=center
|2001 ||DEN ||15 ||14 ||113 ||1343 ||11.9 ||65 ||11
|- align=center
|2002 ||DEN ||16 ||16 ||89 ||1027 ||11.5 ||46 ||5
|- align=center
|2003 ||DEN ||15 ||15 ||74 ||845 ||11.4 ||38 ||3
|- align=center
|2004 ||DEN ||16 ||16 ||79 ||1144 ||14.5 ||85 ||7
|- align=center
|2005 ||DEN ||16 ||16 ||85 ||1105 ||13.0 ||72 ||6
|- align=center
|'''Tot.''' ||'''N/A''' ||'''167''' ||'''142''' ||'''797''' ||'''10877''' ||'''13.6''' ||'''85''' ||'''65'''
|}


==National Football League==
==College career==
After the [[1994 NFL draft|1994 draft]], Smith went undrafted and was signed by the [[Denver Broncos]] as a free agent. His first NFL catch was a last-minute 43-yard touchdown from [[John Elway]] in a 38–31 win against the [[Washington Redskins]] on September 17, 1995. In fourteen seasons as an NFL player, Smith had eight seasons of at least 1,000 receiving yards. He had two seasons of at least 100 receptions ({{nfly|2000}}: 100; {{nfly|2001}}: 113). In 2000, Smith and teammate Ed McCaffrey became only the second wide receiver duo on the same team to each gain 100 receptions in the same season (with Herman Moore and Brett Perriman). His 113 receptions in 2001 led the league. He was a starting wide receiver of the Broncos' back-to-back [[Super Bowl]] championships in [[Super Bowl XXXII|1997]] and [[Super Bowl XXXIII|1998]]. In the Broncos' 34–19 win in Super Bowl XXXIII, Smith had 5 receptions for 152 yards, tied for 5th most in Super Bowl history,<ref>{{As of|2017}}, see [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/pgl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=game&year_min=1950&year_max=2016&season_start=1&season_end=-1&age_min=0&age_max=0&pos=0&game_type=P&playoff_round=s&career_game_num_min=0&career_game_num_max=499&game_num_min=0&game_num_max=99&week_num_min=0&week_num_max=99&c1stat=rec_yds&c1comp=gt&c1val=100&c2stat=choose&c2comp=gt&c3stat=choose&c3comp=gt&c4stat=choose&c4comp=gt&c5comp=choose&c5gtlt=lt&c6mult=1.0&c6comp=choose&order_by=rec_yds 100+ yard Super Bowl receivers] at pro-football-reference.com.</ref> including an 80-yard touchdown reception. He was a finalist for the [[Walter Payton Man of the Year Award]] in 2004.
Smith enjoyed a stellar career at [[Missouri Southern State University]], finishing with league records in career receiving yards (3,043) and touchdowns (34). He also broke the school’s reception record (153), and was named first-team All-America by AP, Kodak, Football Gazette and NCAA Div. II sports information directors after his senior year. In his final season, Smith caught 63 passes for 986 yards and 13 touchdowns, and was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Award, given annually to the top football player at the Division II level. He was named Missouri Southern’s Outstanding Graduate in 1994, after completing his collegiate studies with three degrees, in economics and finance, general business, as well as marketing and management.[http://www.nflplayers.com/players/player.aspx?id=21220]


A hip injury that he suffered in [[2006 Denver Broncos season|2006]] required a complete [[hip replacement]]. On December 28, 2007, it was revealed that Smith needed another hip surgery, possibly ending his career.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3171344 Smith's career could be over after another hip surgery], ESPN.com, December 28, 2007</ref> He was placed on the reserve/retired list on February 15, 2008, and announced his formal retirement from professional football on July 24, 2008, in a press conference at the team's [[Dove Valley, Colorado|Dove Valley]] headquarters.
==High school career==
At Texarkana High School in [[Texarkana, Arkansas]], Smith [[letterman|lettered]] two years in football and basketball, and one year in baseball. As a senior in football, he was All-League, All-Area, and All-State.


Smith finished his career as the Broncos all-time leader in receptions (849), receiving yards (11,389), and touchdown receptions (68).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/den/career-receiving.htm | title=Denver Broncos Career Receiving Leaders | website=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com]] }}</ref> Also an accomplished punt returner, Smith returned 53 punts for 647 yards and a touchdown. His 12.2 yards per return average ranked him 2nd all time among Broncos players with at least 50 punt returns.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/den/career-returns.htm | title=Denver Broncos Career Kick & Punt Returns Leaders | website=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com]] }}</ref> With two Super Bowls, three Pro Bowls, and a controversy-free career noted for professionalism, Smith left the Broncos as one of the most well-loved players of all time. In May 2012 it was announced that he would be inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame in his first year of eligibility for the honor. The induction ceremony took place on Sunday, Sep 23, at halftime of the Broncos' home game against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
==Quotes==
*Speaking about younger players: '''"It's hard to get in the NFL, but the thing they have to realize is (that) it's harder to stay."'''
*Speaking to [[Shannon Sharpe]] about if he should give his #80 to former teammate [[Jerry Rice]]: '''"'Everybody says you should give it to Jerry,'" Smith recalled Sharpe saying. "I said, 'Why is it his number? So every No. 80 in the world is his?' He's like, 'Well, the people say you should give it to him, he's a legend." "I said, 'Sharpe, that's like somebody saying that this guy over here is a better husband and father than you, why don't you give him your wife. You know what I'm saying? It don't make sense!' We joked about that for a while."'''
*When asked if he was going to be in the league as long as [[Jerry Rice]]: '''"Hell no, I'm not even going to coach at 42."'''
*About learning from other players: '''"I always try and learn," Smith said. "I explain it to them how over the last 10 years, every guy that's come in here, I try and take something from that guy. I try to put it in my guy. So take some from me, take something from [[Ashley Lelie]], take something from even some of the other rookies. Take something from them that's working for them and try it."'''
*After setting [[Denver Broncos]] franchise record for touchdowns: '''"I really don’t want to talk about me," he said. "I didn’t want to talk about me last week, and I don’t this week. I want to talk about our team."'''
*Speaking of rookies with minor injuries ([[Maurice Clarett]]): '''"You can't make the club if you're in the tub."'''
*After [[Ashley Lelie]]'s surfing touchdown celebration: '''"He's representing from Hawaii. He probably gets some free pineapples out of the deal. Maybe he'll give me one because I like pineapples."'''
*A response to former teammate [[Eddie Kennison]]'s trash talking: '''"This was pretty big talk from a guy that once quit the team 12 hours before kickoff 8 weeks into the season."''' Says Rod Smith, '''"He quit the night before a game. We were 4-4 and we needed him. I had to go out there and I had two rookies and a third-year guy playing receiver and I'd rather go out there with some guys who wanted to play with their hearts."''' Smith held up his two huge Super Bowl rings for Kennison and said: '''"Before you start popping off at the mouth you ought to get yourself some of these."'''
*After chasing down and tackleing [[Julius Peppers]] after everyone else gave up: '''"You see a lot of guys at the end congratulating me for tackling this dude just for hustling, but that's what we all should be doing anyway,"''' Smith said. '''"For me, that's the way I play football."'''
*On fans and their booing: '''"They spent their money. They can go in there and boo all they want. We know we have to play for 60 minutes. It's hard when you hear that, but at the same time, they paid for the seats, so they have a right to do whatever they want, but I know for a fact that every guy is out there doing everything they can to be great -- not good, but great. It's hard to hear, but at the same time, you're always going to have that. In the end, those same people are patting you on the back, so you wonder, 'Are they really fans or not?'"'''
*After the Broncos beat the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] on [[Monday Night Football]] in which Smith received a concussion and a reporter asked him how he felt: '''"I feel great. We won. What do you mean, 'How do I feel?'"'''
*Jokingly talking about his upcoming matchup against his good friend and former teammate [[Clinton Portis]] on the [[Washington Redskins]]: '''"If I catch Portis over by the sideline, I'm going to knock him out."'''
*After being asked if he will follow in [[Terrell Davis]] and [[Shannon Sharpe]]'s footsteps by entering into the color commentator and analysts' seat and jokingly replying: '''"As far as Terrell and Shannon, I think they’re sellouts. They’ve become part of the paparazzi and it’s really put a big strain on our relationship as friends. I still like them, but I don’t love them as much as I used to because they have a microphone in their face."'''
*Speaking about [[Jake Plummer]]'s improving game: '''"He's still Jake the Snake, but a little different snake"'''
*Speaking about teammate [[Dwayne Carswell]] who was involved in a bad car accident: '''"Every guy carried a piece of him out there on the football field tonight,"''' wide receiver Rod Smith said. '''"We said that going in and we said that coming out." "He's so blue collar and that's the way I am. I just love him out there playing with us going out there banging giving it up for the guys and the guys gave it up for him tonight." "I'm scared to go see him,"''' Smith said. '''"They're moving organs around and stuff; it's kind of frightening. I don't want to be in there and make him laugh." '''
*While yelling at upset [[Oakland Raider]] fans because their team was losing badly and shouting obscentities at him from the stands during a game: '''"Hey, if you leave now, you can beat traffic!"'''
*While replying to upset [[Oakland Raider]] fans because their team was losing badly and telling Smith that he should retire: '''“I’ll retire after the game”'''
*Speaking about [[Ron Dayne]]'s 55yrd overtime run against the [[Dallas Cowboys]] on [[Thanksgiving]] in 2005 to set up the game winning field goal. '''"You know the saying, 'Break glass in case of emergency?'"''' receiver Rod Smith said. '''"We broke the glass and he came through." '''
*About playing in [[Arrowhead Stadium]]: '''"I still remember a few years ago this one old lady cussed me out (at Arrowhead),"''' said Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith. '''"I was laughing so hard it was funny."'''
*In a [[USA Today]] article: '''"I know I'm not the most talented guy. I'm not the smartest guy, but the thing I'm going to do is work hard and give my teammates everything I can. They know that. That's become my thing."'''
*In a [[USA Today]] article: '''"I don't care about money. I don't care about, 'Oh, you are a superstar. You are a celebrity.' To me, all that is crap, I just care about winning."'''
*In a [[USA Today]] article speaking of his 2 Super Bowl rings: '''"I've got three kids and all of them need one and I need one. So I've got two to go, somehow, some way."'''
*About [[Super Bowl XL]] after Denver lost the 2005 [[AFC Championship]] to the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]: '''"I didn't watch one snap of the Super Bowl," Smith said. "It was nothing against the teams that were in it. I was still in depression." "I'm still in depression right now"''' he said.
*After missing a long pass from [[Steve McNair]] before being laid out by Cowboy's safety [[Roy Williams]] in the closing seconds of the 2005 NFL [[Pro Bowl]]: '''"I was hurt, but I'm not worried about that,"''' Smith said. '''"I wanted to win. ... I let my teammates down. I should have made that play."''' '''"We could have won,"''' Smith said. '''"We had too many missed opportunities, including mine."'''
*Speaking about the term "overachiever": '''"What makes you an overachiever?"''' Smith asks. '''"I never understood that word -- overachiever. That means you're doing something you're not supposed to be able to do, because obviously we were able to do it. It's just a matter of having the right opportunities.'''


===Awards and accomplishments===
==External links==
*First undrafted player to reach 10,000 receiving yards, and the 24th in history to eclipse that figure.
*[http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3328 Rod Smith at ESPN.com]
*Retired with the most receptions (849) receiving yards (11,389) and touchdown receptions (68) of any undrafted player in NFL history. Surpassed in all three categories by [[Antonio Gates]].
*[http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/1220 Rod Smith at NFL.com]
*Currently ranks second in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns by an undrafted player, and third in receptions.
*[http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/SmitRo01.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com] - Career Stats
*Holds Broncos franchise records in career receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches.
*[http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=786 DenverBroncos.com Profile]
*Ranks first on Denver's all-time yards from scrimmage list.
*Only the sixth player in NFL history to have 100 receptions against at least 3 teams ([[Kansas City Chiefs]], [[San Diego Chargers]] and [[Oakland Raiders]]).
*[[American Football Conference|AFC]] Offensive Player of the Week (week 15; 12/17/05 against the [[Buffalo Bills]] at Buffalo).
*[[Associated Press]] second-team All-Pro (2000, 2001).
*''[[Football Digest]]'' first-team All-Pro (2000, 2001).
*''[[USA Today]]'' first-team All-Pro (2000).
*''College and Pro Newsweekly'' first-team All-Pro (2000).
*''[[Pro Football Weekly]]'' All-AFC (2000, 2001).
*''Division II Hall of Fame (Inducted in 2008)''
*''[[College Football Hall of Fame]] (Inducted in 2009)''
*''Denver Broncos Ring of Fame (Inducted in 2012)''

====Franchise records====
{{As of|2023}}'s NFL off-season, Rod Smith held at least 11 Broncos franchise records, including:
* Receptions: career (849), season (113 in 2001)
* Receiving Yds: career (11,389), playoffs (860)
* Receiving TDs: career (68), playoffs (6)
* Total TDs: career (71)
* Yds from Scrimmage: career (11,737)
* All Purpose Yds: career (12,488)
* Games with 1+ TD scored: career (66)
* Seasons with 1000+ receiving yards: career (8)

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
! colspan="2"| Legend
|-
| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|
| [[Super Bowl]] champion
|-
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league
|-
| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}

===Regular season===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="5"| Receiving
|-
! GP !! GS !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD
|-
! [[1995 NFL season|1995]] !! [[1995 Denver Broncos season|DEN]]
| '''16''' || 1 || 6 || 152 || '''25.3''' || 43 || 1
|-
! [[1996 NFL season|1996]] !! [[1996 Denver Broncos season|DEN]]
| 10 || 1 || 16 || 237 || 14.8 || 49 || 2
|-
! [[1997 NFL season|1997]] !! style="background:#afe6ba;"|[[1997 Denver Broncos season|DEN]]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || 70 || 1,180 || 16.9 || 78 || '''12'''
|-
! [[1998 NFL season|1998]] !! style="background:#afe6ba;"|[[1998 Denver Broncos season|DEN]]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || 86 || 1,222 || 14.2 || 58 || 6
|-
! [[1999 NFL season|1999]] !! [[1999 Denver Broncos season|DEN]]
| 15 || 15 || 79 || 1,020 || 12.9 || 71 || 4
|-
! [[2000 NFL season|2000]] !! [[2000 Denver Broncos season|DEN]]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || 100 || '''1,602''' || 16.0 || 49 || 8
|-
! [[2001 NFL season|2001]] !! [[2001 Denver Broncos season|DEN]]
| 15 || 14 || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''113''' || 1,343 || 11.9 || 65 || 11
|-
! [[2002 NFL season|2002]] !! [[2002 Denver Broncos season|DEN]]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || 89 || 1,027 || 11.5 || 46 || 5
|-
! [[2003 NFL season|2003]] !! [[2003 Denver Broncos season|DEN]]
| 15 || 15 || 74 || 845 || 11.4 || 38 || 3
|-
! [[2004 NFL season|2004]] !! [[2004 Denver Broncos season|DEN]]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || 79 || 1,144 || 14.5 || '''85''' || 7
|-
! [[2005 NFL season|2005]] !! [[2005 Denver Broncos season|DEN]]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || 85 || 1,105 || 13.0 || 72 || 6
|-
! [[2006 NFL season|2006]] !! [[2006 Denver Broncos season|DEN]]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || 52 || 512 || 9.8 || 20 || 3
|-
! colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitRo01.htm Career] !! 183 !! 158 !! 849 !! 11,389 !! 13.4 !! 85 !! 68
|}


==References==
[[Category:1970 births|Smith, Rod]]
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:AFC Pro Bowl players|Smith, Rod]]
[[Category:American football wide receivers|Smith, Rod]]
[[Category:Denver Broncos players|Smith, Rod]]
[[Category:Kappa Alpha Psi brothers|Smith, Rod]]
[[Category:Living people|Smith, Rod]]
[[Category:People from Arkansas|Smith, Rod]]


{{NFL receptions leaders}}
{{Super Bowl XXXII}}
{{Super Bowl XXXIII}}
{{Broncos50th}}
{{Denver Broncos Ring of Honor}}
{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Rod}}
{{widereceiver-stub}}
[[Category:1970 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American Conference Pro Bowl players]]
[[Category:American football wide receivers]]
[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Denver Broncos players]]
[[Category:Missouri Southern Lions football players]]
[[Category:People from Texarkana, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Arkansas]]

Latest revision as of 17:27, 17 October 2024

For the defensive back, see Rod Smith (defensive back).

Rod Smith
refer to caption
Smith in September 2012
No. 80
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1970-05-15) May 15, 1970 (age 54)
Texarkana, Arkansas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Arkansas
(Texarkana, Arkansas)
College:Missouri Southern (1988–1993)
Undrafted:1994
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:849
Receiving yards:11,389
Receiving touchdowns:68
Stats at Pro Football Reference
College Football Hall of Fame

Roderick Duane Smith[1] (born May 15, 1970) is an American former football wide receiver who played for 14 seasons with the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Missouri Southern Lions and was signed by the Broncos as an undrafted free agent and played his entire career with the team. As of 2023's offseason, his 849 career receptions and 11,389 receiving yards ranked him 30th all-time for receptions and 34th for yards.[2]

Early life and education

[edit]

At Arkansas Senior High School in Texarkana, Arkansas, Smith lettered two years in football and basketball, and one year in baseball. As a senior in football, he was All-League, All-Area, and All-State. Outside of football Rod Smith has three kids (Roderick Smith Jr., Devin Smith, and Vanessa Webb). He is a business entrepreneur as he has expressed in many interviews. Some of these have featured his kids speaking about their father's accomplishments on and off the field.

College career

[edit]

Smith enjoyed a stellar career at Missouri Southern State University, finishing with conference records in career receiving yards (3,043) and touchdowns (34). He also broke the school's reception record (153), and was named first-team All-America by AP, Kodak, Football Gazette and NCAA Division II sports information directors after his senior year. In his final season, Smith caught 63 passes for 986 yards and 13 touchdowns, and was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, given annually to the top football player at the Division II level. He was named Missouri Southern's Outstanding Graduate in 1994 after completing his collegiate studies with three degrees, in economics and finance, general business, as well as marketing and management.[3]

National Football League

[edit]

After the 1994 draft, Smith went undrafted and was signed by the Denver Broncos as a free agent. His first NFL catch was a last-minute 43-yard touchdown from John Elway in a 38–31 win against the Washington Redskins on September 17, 1995. In fourteen seasons as an NFL player, Smith had eight seasons of at least 1,000 receiving yards. He had two seasons of at least 100 receptions (2000: 100; 2001: 113). In 2000, Smith and teammate Ed McCaffrey became only the second wide receiver duo on the same team to each gain 100 receptions in the same season (with Herman Moore and Brett Perriman). His 113 receptions in 2001 led the league. He was a starting wide receiver of the Broncos' back-to-back Super Bowl championships in 1997 and 1998. In the Broncos' 34–19 win in Super Bowl XXXIII, Smith had 5 receptions for 152 yards, tied for 5th most in Super Bowl history,[4] including an 80-yard touchdown reception. He was a finalist for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2004.

A hip injury that he suffered in 2006 required a complete hip replacement. On December 28, 2007, it was revealed that Smith needed another hip surgery, possibly ending his career.[5] He was placed on the reserve/retired list on February 15, 2008, and announced his formal retirement from professional football on July 24, 2008, in a press conference at the team's Dove Valley headquarters.

Smith finished his career as the Broncos all-time leader in receptions (849), receiving yards (11,389), and touchdown receptions (68).[6] Also an accomplished punt returner, Smith returned 53 punts for 647 yards and a touchdown. His 12.2 yards per return average ranked him 2nd all time among Broncos players with at least 50 punt returns.[7] With two Super Bowls, three Pro Bowls, and a controversy-free career noted for professionalism, Smith left the Broncos as one of the most well-loved players of all time. In May 2012 it was announced that he would be inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame in his first year of eligibility for the honor. The induction ceremony took place on Sunday, Sep 23, at halftime of the Broncos' home game against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Awards and accomplishments

[edit]
  • First undrafted player to reach 10,000 receiving yards, and the 24th in history to eclipse that figure.
  • Retired with the most receptions (849) receiving yards (11,389) and touchdown receptions (68) of any undrafted player in NFL history. Surpassed in all three categories by Antonio Gates.
  • Currently ranks second in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns by an undrafted player, and third in receptions.
  • Holds Broncos franchise records in career receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches.
  • Ranks first on Denver's all-time yards from scrimmage list.
  • Only the sixth player in NFL history to have 100 receptions against at least 3 teams (Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders).
  • AFC Offensive Player of the Week (week 15; 12/17/05 against the Buffalo Bills at Buffalo).
  • Associated Press second-team All-Pro (2000, 2001).
  • Football Digest first-team All-Pro (2000, 2001).
  • USA Today first-team All-Pro (2000).
  • College and Pro Newsweekly first-team All-Pro (2000).
  • Pro Football Weekly All-AFC (2000, 2001).
  • Division II Hall of Fame (Inducted in 2008)
  • College Football Hall of Fame (Inducted in 2009)
  • Denver Broncos Ring of Fame (Inducted in 2012)

Franchise records

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As of 2023's NFL off-season, Rod Smith held at least 11 Broncos franchise records, including:

  • Receptions: career (849), season (113 in 2001)
  • Receiving Yds: career (11,389), playoffs (860)
  • Receiving TDs: career (68), playoffs (6)
  • Total TDs: career (71)
  • Yds from Scrimmage: career (11,737)
  • All Purpose Yds: career (12,488)
  • Games with 1+ TD scored: career (66)
  • Seasons with 1000+ receiving yards: career (8)

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Super Bowl champion
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
1995 DEN 16 1 6 152 25.3 43 1
1996 DEN 10 1 16 237 14.8 49 2
1997 DEN 16 16 70 1,180 16.9 78 12
1998 DEN 16 16 86 1,222 14.2 58 6
1999 DEN 15 15 79 1,020 12.9 71 4
2000 DEN 16 16 100 1,602 16.0 49 8
2001 DEN 15 14 113 1,343 11.9 65 11
2002 DEN 16 16 89 1,027 11.5 46 5
2003 DEN 15 15 74 845 11.4 38 3
2004 DEN 16 16 79 1,144 14.5 85 7
2005 DEN 16 16 85 1,105 13.0 72 6
2006 DEN 16 16 52 512 9.8 20 3
Career 183 158 849 11,389 13.4 85 68

References

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  1. ^ "ESPN Profile". ESPN.com.
  2. ^ See customizable lists at pro-football-reference.com
  3. ^ Rod Smith | Players | Nflplayers.Com
  4. ^ As of 2017, see 100+ yard Super Bowl receivers at pro-football-reference.com.
  5. ^ Smith's career could be over after another hip surgery, ESPN.com, December 28, 2007
  6. ^ "Denver Broncos Career Receiving Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  7. ^ "Denver Broncos Career Kick & Punt Returns Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
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