Rod Smith

Roderick "Rod" Smith is a retired American football wide receiver of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 1994 and played his entire 14-year career with the team. He played college football at Missouri Southern State.

Smith is the only undrafted free agent to have ever surpassed the 10,000-receiving-yard plateau. He is ranked 15th in NFL history in career receptions and 16th all time in receiving yards.

After the 1994 draft, Smith wasn't drafted. First the New England Patriots signed him but then he was released. Soon after his release, the Denver Broncos signed him. 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). His reception total 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 (the fourth highest total in Super Bowl history), 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 will need another hip surgery, possibly ending his career. 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 from Denver, CO. With two Super Bowl titles, three Pro Bowl appearances, and a controversy-free career noted for professionalism, Smith left the Denver Broncos as one of the most well-loved Broncos players of all time.