Rod Smith Retires :(

[Sigz]

Rod Smith, the Broncos' all-time leading receiver in nearly every category, has decided to retire.

The Broncos and Smith will hold a 2 p.m. news conference Thursday.

Smith, 38, missed all of last season with a serious hip injury so his retirement has been expected for nearly a year. An undrafted free agent who signed with the Broncos in 1994, when Wade Phillips was the coach, Smith finishes with 849 receptions, 11,389 receiving yards and 68 touchdown receptions.

He was a Pro Bowler as recently as 2005, but a concussion and hip injury curtailed his production in 2006 and was forced to sit out 2007 after he needed extensive surgery to repair, among other problems, a torn labrum.

Following his final season, Smith ranked 11th all-time in receptions.

Many of you probably aren't Bronco fans... but Rod Smith was the definition of a football player.

Coming out of college, he went undrafted and worked his ass up to be where he is at today.

The guy got all of his statistics and rings with 110% class.

I'm sick and tired of seeing guys like Chad Johnson and TO talk shit out of there mouths while ESPN gives them TV time every football week, when there are guys like Rod Smith out on the gridiron writing the definition of a true teammate and football player.

Anyways.. I'm just a noob around here, but I wanted to share this because I grew up watching Rod. I was sad when Elway retired.. but I was so much closer to Rod Smith that it hurts.

Read up about him... You'll see why I admire him so damn much.

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site36/2007/1230/20071230_010938_RodSmithChart123007.jpg

[djohn14]

Yeah....I wasnt a big Broncos fan, but I like em. Its sad because he was one of my favorites.

[BradLohaus]

Damn, he started playing during the NFC's first year on Fox.

[johnsmith]

First of all, you aren't alone on this board, there are several of us Broncos fans floating around here.

Second, I've said it a million times and numerous times on this board and most everyone agrees with me, Rod Smith deserves to get into the hall of fame...................he won't, but he deserves it.


Hell, I think Sanity even agreed with me on that one, and he's a Charger fan.

[peewee's lovechild]

Rod Smith was a great player, but hardly got the recognition he deserved because he wasn't a flashy player like so many are now.

I always held him in high regard.

Oh, and he saved my ass in Fantasy Football countless times.

[stretch]

Rod Smith is a fantastic player. Sad to see him leave. He deserves the HOF in my book.

[johnsmith]

"I didn't have any dances, I didn't spike the ball, I didn't say 'Hey, look at me,' " Smith said. "And the reason is I knew those other 10 guys had more to do with it than I did. I was just the end result."

[monosylab1k]

for obvious reasons I despise the Broncos, but I've always been a Rod Smith fan. no brainer for the Hall Of Fame, but we'll see what the idiot voters do.

[2centsworth]

He was an excellent receiver, but I thought he retired years ago?:p:

[MavDynasty]

He was an excellent receiver, but I thought he retired years ago?:p:

nah he has just been injured alot the past 2 seasons.

[samikeyp]

dude was a stud...he needs to be in the Hall.

[Evan]

He was an excellent receiver, but I thought he retired years ago?:p:

Honestly so did I….maybe I was just reading rumors.

He will make it in the halll for sure. Maybe not the first try but he will make it.

[johnsmith]

Honestly so did I….maybe I was just reading rumors.

He will make it in the halll for sure. Maybe not the first try but he will make it.

He didn't play at all last year so I could see where people thought he had already retired.


I would like to note that I fell in love with Rod Smith after his very first NFL catch.............which happened to be a last second 40 yard bomb across the middle from Elway which Smith laid out for and won the game with no time left on the clock.

[K-State Spur]

Second, I've said it a million times and numerous times on this board and most everyone agrees with me, Rod Smith deserves to get into the hall of fame...................he won't, but he deserves it.


When it takes Art Monk over a decade to get in, Smith has virtually no chance.

[florige]

When it takes Art Monk over a decade to get in, Smith has virtually no chance.



Good point!!

[peewee's lovechild]

When it takes Art Monk over a decade to get in

That was a disgrace.

I've always hated the Redskins, but Art Monk was a great football player.

[Sigz]

When it takes Art Monk over a decade to get in, Smith has virtually no chance.

And that's what is so sad about the situation....

A guy like Rod Smith... the epitome of an NFL football player...undrafted, hard working, pure class, and full of heart... left out of the HOF..

[samikeyp]

And that's what is so sad about the situation....

A guy like Rod Smith... the epitome of an NFL football player...undrafted, hard working, pure class, and full of heart... left out of the HOF..

+1

Art Monk should have been in his first year of eligibility or at very worst second.

[jack sommerset]

I doubt he will make Hall of Fame. Huge huge long shot Elway,Sharpe and Davis were the top dogs on those Super Bowl teams. Broncos known for there running backs it opens up the door for recievers. He was a good reciever but not hof worthy.

[TheTruth]

I don't think it'll surprise you guys to hear that I think the guy deserves to go into the hall. Him and Eddie Mac will always be my favorite WR's of all time. Class act for many years. Gonna miss Rod.

[J.T.]

When it takes Art Monk over a decade to get in, Smith has virtually no chance.

An even bigger disgrace will be how the HOF bends the rules and lets Brett Favre in like, now, instead of in 5 years.

[Sigz]

Here is a nice little wrap up video with Rod Smith...

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=349&videoID=2699&type=broncosTV

[K-State Spur]

+1

Art Monk should have been in his first year of eligibility or at very worst second.

he retired with the most receptions in NFL history despite playing in a run oriented offense for much of his career. then, when it was opened up a bit towards the end, he had to split catches with the rest of the POSSE. and he was still the go-to guy when the team needed a first down.

not to mention that he was an outstanding blocker and quintessential teammate by all accounts.

how it was even left open to debate, let alone for 10 years, is beyond me.

[timvp]

My favorite wide receiver of all-time. Underdog story who was all business, humble and wasn't in love with himself. You never find that in receivers.

[O-Factor]

When it takes Art Monk over a decade to get in, Smith has virtually no chance.

Agreed. Monk needs to go in first and for a long while now.

And I've had much respect for Rod Smith over the years

[K-State Spur]

Art is going in this year. Some redemption for Skins fans that he and Darrell Green are going in together. (Now, if they had tried to keep Darrell out, I would have driven to Canton and burned that building to the ground!)

[TheTruth]

My favorite wide receiver of all-time. Underdog story who was all business, humble and wasn't in love with himself. You never find that in receivers.

Man LJ, I like you even more now. :toast

[mookie2001]

selvin youngs gonna have to carry the team on his back

[Sigz]

selvin youngs gonna have to carry the team on his back

I'm still not sold on the 2k prediction.... lol

[herzlman]

Too bad's Rod's gone. Now all the Broncos have is that moron Brandon Marshall who is about to get himself suspended.