Rod Smith is a former NFL wide receiver who played his entire career with the Denver Broncos. He played college football at Missouri Southern State. Smith is the first undrafted free agent to have ever surpassed the 10,000-receiving-yard plateau.
Smith enjoyed a stellar career at Missouri Southern State University, finishing with conference records in career receiving yards (3,043) and touchdowns (34). He also broke the school's reception record (153), and was named first-team All-America by AP, Kodak, Football Gazette and NCAA Div. II sports information directors after his senior year. In his final season, Smith caught 63 passes for 986 yards and 13 touchdowns, and was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Award, given annually to the top football player at the Division II level. He was named Missouri Southern's Outstanding Graduate in 1994 after completing his collegiate studies with three degrees, in economics and finance, general business, as well as marketing and management.
In twelve seasons as an NFL player, Smith has had eight seasons of at least 1,000 receiving yards. He's 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, including an 80-yard touchdown reception. He was a finalist for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2004.
In 2008 and 2009, Smith was inducted into the Division II Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame, respectively.
