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Published on 05/17/2012 at Thu May 17 12:53.
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Rod Smith elected to Denver Broncos Ring of Fame

Posted Thu May 17th by

Rod Smith

Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith makes a catch during Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami, Sunday, Jan. 31, 1999. (AP Photo/Denver Broncos)

Rod Smith was the forger of a prolific career with the Denver Broncos, and now he’s being honored as such.

Smith has been elected as the 23rd member of the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place during halftime of the Broncos’ Week 3 matchup against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Sept. 23rd.

The franchise’s all-time leader in receptions (849), receiving yards (11,389), and receiving touchdowns (68), Smith went from undrafted rookie to starter to fan-favorite through his unparalleled hard work, clutch performances, and motivating influence (see the “Rod’s Wisdom” section in the sidebar of the homepage of this very site, a feature displaying a random quote of Smith’s we’ve had in place since 2007).

“Players like Rod don’t come through your door very often, but he came through ours every day with a purpose and hunger to be great,” owner Pat Bowlen said. “Rod’s production and numbers—as outstanding as they were—paled in comparison to his commitment to winning and the respect he commanded from each and every one of his teammates throughout his career. Emerging from an undrafted player to one of the best to ever play his position, Rod has truly earned his place among the greatest Broncos of all time.

“I am thankful for everything Rod contributed to this franchise during his time with the Broncos, and I congratulate him on his well-deserved election to the Ring of Fame.”

Indeed, few players have made as great an impact for any one team as Rod Smith did for the Denver Broncos. The statistical totals may or may not ultimately fall short of a Hall of Fame election for Smith, but if there was an “upper tier” to Denver’s Ring of Fame, Smith could be fairly ranked among the likes of John Elway and Floyd Little in that highest echelon.

His election is a well-deserved honor for a living Broncos legend.

  • http://broncotalk.net Monty

    You really cannot say enough good things about Rod Smith, because you’d have to keep saying them for 14 years to match the number of good things he did for the Broncos during his 14-year career.

    If every player on the Broncos roster had the heart of Rod Smith, and Smith’s drive to win, the Broncos would be perennial Super Bowl champions, hands down. CONGRATS ROD SMITH ON THIS MUCH-DESERVED HONOR!!

  • http://twitter.com/TimLynch1978 Tim Lynch

    From his first catch (a hail marry game winner against Washington) to his last, Rod Smith was a Bronco.  The Ring of Fame for us fans is ultimately a great distinction than the Hall of Fame, because its exclusively a Denver Broncos club.  Congrats Rod!  Next up….Champ Bailey in about 7-8 years.

  • http://broncotalk.net Monty

    I know we’ll see Tom Nalen in the meantime, and I HOPE we see Jason Elam and Dan Reeves in there in the meantime too.

  • Anonymous

    Good move, Rod Smith was a Receiver with a LB mentality, he played every play full speed.

  • http://broncotalk.net Monty

    Should Rod Smith’s #80 Denver Broncos jersey be retired? Vote on Twitter by replying @BroncoTalk:twitter with #Yes or #No! We’ll compile the results for a post this weekend. 

    http://twitpolls.com/s/aN

  • http://broncotalk.net Monty

    Should Rod Smith’s #80 Denver Broncos jersey be retired? Vote on Twitter by replying @BroncoTalk:twitter with #Yes or #No! We’ll compile the results for a post this weekend. 

    http://twitpolls.com/s/aN

  • Anonymous

    And if the HoF voters had any sense he would be a first ballot Hall of Famer.  

  • Anonymous

    Many of you will think that I am crazy when I say that Rod Smith was the greatest Bronco of all time.  While his numbers might not agree with my statement, the numbers are not what made Rod great.  Rod was great because of his heart.  Rod was selfless to the team and to the community. 
    Rod came through in the clutch. 
    Rod was never supposed to amount to anything, yet he became the greatest undrafted wide receiver in NFL history.   His road to greatness is by far more motivational than Elway’s or other Bronco greats. 
    Here’s to Rod for all the great memories and for all the countless hours he would sign autographs for the fans.  Hip hip hoo Rod!

  • Anonymous

     I don’t tweet but yes it should be retired

  • http://twitter.com/TimLynch1978 Tim Lynch

    I doubt Nalen makes it honestly.  Elam is a maybe.  Dan Reeves is a disgusting omission, but I suspect it had to do with the fallout between Reeves and Bowlen.

  • Anonymous

    I totally agree with you and couldn’t say it better myself. In my eyes Rod is undoubtedly the greatest Bronco ever and should already be in the Hall of Fame.

  • Anonymous

    If there is one football player you could point to as the best example for any young player it would be Rod Smith, simply inspirational but with total humility.

  • Anonymous

    Rod is a better person than he was a player, and he was one tremendous player . . .

  • Anonymous

    Rod is a better person than he was a player, and he was one tremendous player . . .

  • Anonymous

    Terrific writeup on Rod Smith over at Andrew Mason’s site:
    http://tinyurl.com/776vqpg

  • Anonymous

    Nails is otto. 

    You’re right about Reeves though, he’ll never make it because of the way he left.  Same for Al Wilson.

  • Anonymous

    Been a Bronco fan since the Craig Morton era and I’ve never seen a more clutch pair of hands sport this team’s colors. As far as that goes, there’s been very few receivers in the entire league that have been better when the pressure is at its highest… Congrats Rod, it was well earned.