Rod Smith

At 54 years old, Rod Smith has this physical status:

Roderick Duane Smith (born May 15, 1970) is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. (NFL).

He played college football at Missouri Southern State University.

He was originally signed by the Broncos as an undrafted free agent and spent his entire career with the team.

His 849 career receptions and 11,389 receiving yards ranked him 27th and 31st all-time as of 2017's offseason.

Personal life

Smith spent two years in football and basketball as well as one year in baseball at Arkansas Senior High School in Texarkana, Arkansas. He was All-League, All-Area, and All-State as a senior in football. Rod Smith has three children outside of football (Roderick Smith Jr., Devin Smith, and Vanessa Webb). In several interviews, he has stated that he is a business entrepreneur. On and off the track, some of these films have featured their children learning about their father's accomplishments.

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College career

Smith had a stellar career at Missouri Southern State University, with conference records in career receiving yards (3,043) and touchdowns (34). He also set a new school 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. Smith made 63 passes for 986 yards and 13 touchdowns in his last season, winning the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is given annually to the top football player at the Division II level. In 1994, he was named Missouri Southern's Outstanding Graduate, with three degrees in economics and finance, general industry, as well as marketing and management.

Professional career

Smith was undrafted and was signed by the Denver Broncos as a free agent after the 1994 draft. In a 38–31 victory over the Washington Redskins on September 17, 1995, John Elway's first NFL catch was a last-minute 43-yard touchdown. Smith had eight seasons as an NFL player, with at least 1,000 receiving yards in 14 seasons. He had two seasons of at least 100 receptions (2000: 100; 2001: 113). Smith and his colleague Ed McCaffrey were only the second wide receiver pair on the same team to pass 100 yards in the same season (with Herman Moore and Brett Perriman). In 2001, his 113 receptions dominated the league. In 1997 and 1998, he was a starting wide receiver of the Broncos' back-to-back Super Bowl championships. Smith had 5 receptions for 152 yards, tied for fifth most in Super Bowl history, as well as an 80-yard touchdown reception in the Broncos' 34-19 victory in Super Bowl XXIII. In 2004, he was a finalist for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

A hip replacement was required for him after a 2006 hip injury. Smith had another hip surgery on December 28, 2007, possibly ending his career. In a press conference at the team's Dove Valley headquarters, he was put on the reserve/retired list on February 15, 2008, and announced his formal retirement from professional football on July 24, 2008.

Smith spent his career as the Broncos all-time leader in receptions (849), receiving yards (11,389), and touchdown receptions (68). Smith, who was also an excellent punt returner, made 53 punts for 647 yards and a touchdown. His 12.2 yards per return average ranked him second all time among Broncos players with at least 50 punt returns. Smith left the Broncos as one of the most well-loved players of all time, with three Super Bowls, three Pro Bowls, and a troubled career known for professionalism. In May 2012, it was revealed that he would be inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame in his first year of eligibility for the award. On Sunday, Sep. 23, halftime of the Broncos' home game against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Rod Smith had at least 11 Broncos franchise records as of last season, including: "British Football Offseason" (2000).

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