Comments on: Live From Smith’s Retirement Press Conference

By: fibbelachel

fibbelachel — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 06:36:40 +0000

RodSmithRules Says:

July 24th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I just wish we could have seen him suit up in the orange and blue just one more time, catch one more pass.

You forgot, “or Throw one more crushing block to spring whoever is carrying the ball for a long gain.”

By: fibbelachel

fibbelachel — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 03:15:10 +0000

Rod Smith is MORE than a Class Act, more than a role model, more than a man who overcame extreme odds to become the best wide receiver that the Broncos have ever had. He deserves immediate entry to the Ring of Fame, and if he is overlooked by the NFL Hall of Fame, it will be one of the most egregious slights to a highly deserving player that I have seen in fifty years of watching Professional Football.

It is always hard when one of your favorite players retires, but when the retiree is a man like Rod Smith, you always wish that he could play one more game, make one more remarkable catch, throw one more block to spark a long play downfield.

Rod, we will miss you and I hope your life is as successful going forward as it has been during your career with the Broncos (Uniform Number 80 should be retired).

By: B4Bronco6

B4Bronco6 — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:57:46 +0000

Rod Smith…. Where to start?

You have been my favorite Denver Bronco of all time since I really started following during the 96 season.

You are the true definition of a football player and teammate. You have worked your way to where you are today, through your blood, sweat, and tears.

Seeing and hearing you officially retire today took a little piece out of me. I have been following you throughout your career and it’s just sad to see such a beautiful thing come to an end.

I will keep you jersey hanging in my room, along with a Bronco helmet, signed by you and Eddy Mac. I will treasure my Super Bowl tapes, and remember how important of a player you were… catching a pass in the Super Bowl, or not catching a single one, yet being important in every other aspect of the game.

You are a class act, and one of my great idols. You have meant so much to my athletic life.. I wanted to be just like you. I wish I could meet you someday, and shake your hand.

Your whole career has been overlooked by everyone outside the Denver area… It’s so unfair to see such a thing happen. You deserve more than some of the fools that get all of the camera time today, but I know that you could care less… because you have the most important thing of all, your 2 well earned Super Bowl rings.

So Rod Smith, if you are reading this, I will always remember you and tell people what a great individual you are on and off the field. I will know deep down, that the NFL will have a hard time to find another player with such a work ethic, mindset, and heart.. like you’ve had throughout your career.

I hope you have a wonderful second stage of life not dealing with football. Believe me, you have DESERVED every minute of it.

Rod Smith, you are my favorite ever. Thank you for giving it your all. My childhood football memories will always remember you, the under-appreciated receiver out of Missouri Southern Stat… who went on into the classic gridiron of the NFL, and became the best undrafted player, in the HISTORY of the NFL. :salute:

By: West Coast

West Coast — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:17:43 +0000

http://www.nfl.com/videos;jsessionid=9A483C80C6447F7FAEAD0642B8D01AD0?videoId=09000d5d8097abfc great video by NFL Network on Rod

By: jadman

jadman — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:11:10 +0000

Class Act.

By: Hardcore Bronco Babe

Hardcore Bronco Babe — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:10:53 +0000

Rod Smith was one of my favorite players. It was an honor and a priviledge to watch him play. Rod is a shoe-in for the Ring of Fame and should be a hands down candidate for the Hall of Fame. I would like to see #80 be retired because of what Rod Smith brought to the team and his dedication to the game. I’m glad that he got to play his entire career in Denver.

By: Sin City Bronco

Sin City Bronco — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:43:18 +0000

The #80 and the #7 will forever be connected as one of the GREAT QB-Receiver tandems of all time…. I agree retire the #80…. I can’t imagine a player coming along even asking to wear the Orange and Blue #80…. At both of the Fan fairs I was at I was amazed at the attention and time he gave to the kids and thought it was incredible how he only would sign for the kids… the line for him was practically around the stadium and he stayed for pretty much every kid… Unlike some others that are there and then gone in a flash…. There is a lot current players can learn from Rod…. Maybe I will get a #80 tatooed on my arm…. Just to show my dedication to him as he showed to all the fans!

By: johnelway4ever

johnelway4ever — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:29:32 +0000

Rod is a class act by himself. I remember his second season as a full time Bronco, we were playing the Cincinnatti Bengals and TD has his first game of over 200 yards rushing. My friends and I all mulled around the locker room under the South Bleachers after the game, waiting for our favorite Broncos to come out of the locker room and perhaps give us an autograph. There must have been at least 50 people still there when Rod came out of the locker room. I will never forget that day and I (well my son does actually, I gave it to him when I got home from the game) had my game day book in my hand. I was standing next to the rope that was used to keep a walk way path open for the team members to exit after they had dressed. Rod came out of the locker room along with Jason Elam and Rod McCaffery. I asked all of them if they would please give me their autographs and they all obliged me, but Rod even stayed and chatted with me some about the game. I remember him remarking to me that I must really love and understand the game because my recollection of certain events that happened that day were very clear and I guess I must have articulated them well. He said he appreciated my supporting the team and asking him for his autograph. He said that giving an autograph was the most sincerest form of repayment to his fans for all the support he gave to them and he never wanted to forget that it was the fans who made this a game to appreciate because of their endless support After all, without the fans, who would the Broncos play for? He then gave me a hug and walked on, I guess to get to his car, but that memory still is as strong today for me as it was the day it happened, and I am so glad I have his autograph and that memory. He was then and is now a class-act.

By: JWinn

JWinn — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:09:01 +0000

Thanks for everything Rod. It was an honor to have such a person become an icon for our team. Your presence on the field is already sorely missed.

May the future bring you peace and happiness!!

Salute!

By: getlynched47

getlynched47 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:05:50 +0000

The #80 should be retired along with the legacy of Rod Smith. Nobody can and will ever be Rod Smith, so it’s appropriate that Rod Smith stays a part of Broncos history forever. I hope he becomes a WR coach for the Denver Broncos. Look what he did for Brandon Marshall after taking him under his wing.
Hmm…..Rod Smith the successor to Mike Shanahan??? Just an idea. lol

Thanks Rod Smith for everything you have done for my Denver Broncos!
My #80 jersey will forever hang in my house.