Once a Bronco, Always a Bronco

As he bid farewell to the game so close to his heart, it was put best with the words: “I appreciate the fans. The Bronco fans are special to me, I appreciate all you guys really supporting me and I love when I see little kids and they have on a No. 80 jersey, it just makes me smile. They don’t know how much that means to me. I’m letting you know, if I don’t come up to you personally, I appreciate you, every single one of you.”

They may not be tear-jerking words but they simply tell you the kind of player and person Rod Smith was and is.
Broncos fans, football fans, players, coaches, media, whomever, can all agree professional football will miss one of its best. Being a media entity, CFI appreciates the kind of guy Smith was for so many years. A man of true character and passion—you didn’t have to know him to see it—the way he played and spoke for 17 seasons said it all.

Colorado Football Insider is driven by youth and so it seems was Smith. He was the embodiment of what we would hope the young athletes aspire to become: a role model, a hard worker and community leader.

Smith reinforced his commitment to the Mile High City, a place he considers so close to his heart and where his home will continue to be. And it’s no wonder. Denver gave him a chance many others might not have, a chance to play in the NFL.

He went undrafted and signed as a free agent in 1994. It’s no so easily stated what he’s meant for the franchise but a look at his stats and accomplishments sure don’t hurt (see below). But it’s not only what he’s done for the Broncos but the NFL and players after him. Think your career is over if you don’t get drafted? Think again. Not only that, you can have a Hall of Fame-caliber career. Smith is the only undrafted receiver to have surpassed the 10,000 yard milestone and ranks No. 15 in NFL history in career receptions and 16th in receiving yards. He gives hope to the underdog athletes everywhere.

He looks at the team’s young squad and the new guys coming in. He notes that they’re all family.
And as cheesy as it may sound, you know Rod Smith will always be rooting for the home team.

-First and only undrafted player to reach the milestone of 10,000 receiving yards, and the
-24th in history to eclipse that figure.

-Has the most catches (849), receiving yards (11,389) and touchdown receptions (68) of any undrafted wide receiver in NFL history.

-Denver 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 three teams (Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders).
-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).