Check one more honor off Rod Smith’s list — he’s now a member of the College Football Hall of Fame as part of the divisional class of 2009.
The divisional class includes players and coaches from Division I-AA (now called the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision) and Divisions II, III and the NAIA. This year’s class will be inducted July 18-19 at the Hall of Fame in South Bend.
Smith set six school records while playing for Missouri Southern State in 1988 and 1990-93. He went on to set Broncos franchise records in just about every receiving category, including receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches.
Smith’s fellow inductees include the late Sam Mills, who played 12 years in the NFL, and Fred Dean, who was part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2008 along with Gary Zimmerman.
The final three members of this year’s class are Roger Brown, who played defensive tackle for Maryland Eastern in the 1950s, former Marshall coach Jim Donnan, and former Missouri Valley coach Volney Ashford, who died in 1973.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Congratulations Rod! Next step will be the NFL Hall of Fame.
YES!!!!!!!!!
YEAH GO ROD
Congrats Rod! Next for you will be HOF and Broncos ROF!
Just one of those deserved. Congrats!
Congrats Rod…Wouldn’t it be great if he came back to be the WR coach?
Way to go Rod!! We have missed your leadership on the field for the last few years. Since we didn’t have one at quarterback I wished you had stayed healthy for a few more but this honor is much deserved.
I might be a h8r, but I love Rod Smith. He is one of the greatest Broncos of all time. His contributions to the state of Colorado are legendary. A great player, a great leader, a great man. Congrats Rod, Canton is next.
Congrats Rod!!! What a great inspiration you’ve become. I once saw a sign that said “Rod Smith is Money” and you were! Loved watching you over the years, and I’m so glad you were apart of the Broncos!!! God Speed, Rod!Go Broncos!
I definitely am stoked any time you are recognized and to make up for me not saying hello to you when I saw you at DIA one time, sitting all by yourself with your SB ring on… A huuuge THANK YOU for all your efforts, contributions and outlooks over the years. I don’t personally know you, but from what I do, I see the defining factors of a “class act”.
Can’t wait ta see you and a few other well-deserved Broncos get the recognition deserved in Canton! WR coach wouldn’t take too much time out of your days would it
just kiddin’ – but it would be great to have you back where we could see you more often. Go Broncos!
woot woot! congrats Rod! you deserve it!
Hot Rod quite simply the classiest receiver ever (or at least as classy as Rice) and a ding breed no bad press ever that I can remember! no give me the ball ,never hit his woman no matter ho psycho she got! Hard worker determination role model for the other players that’s Rod Smith (heard that somewhere) No fan/player of any team ever has negative stuff to talk about Rod nuff said!
When I hear that name Rod Smith, words like class, leader, modest, role model and gentlemen pop into my head.
Congratulations Rod, and as broncochick1 said, your leadership is what the Broncos are missing.. Broncos need to look to guys like you and Lynch.
GO BRONCOS!
Next step Ring of Fame! Then Hall of Fame!
congrats well deserved. always one of my favorites
Nice job, Rod. You are still the most underrated player in NFL history! I still remember your effort in that 2004 game against the Panthers to run down Julius Peppers, and easily this personified you throughout your career!
SWEET!… Congrats… Hopefully this is just the start to getting some awards…
ROD IS SIMPLY THE BEST…..BETTER THEN ALL THE REST…LOL…but FOR REAL THE BEST…I REMEMBER ONE GAME VS SEATTLE I THINK WERE WE ACTUALLY RAN SWEEPS WITH ROD..I REMEMBER ONE WITCH HE CUT PAST A GUY SO FAST AND BOUNCED TO THE OUTSIDE…HE WAS AMAZING RUNNING AFTER THE CATCH…PLUS HIS TD IN THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AT PITT IS CLASSIC….TWO HANDS ONLY…STEPPED UP BIG TIME..IN ONE OF THE BEST BACK TO BACK CHAMPION TEAMS IN HISTORY.
BRING BACK THE MILE HIGH SALUTE BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!whose with me??
its been back…i think peyton hillis did it like 6 times….everybody dont do it like back in the day during the superbowl run cuz that was there thang….let it be
broncos 4 life I’m with you all the way on bringing back the mile high salute. Hillis started to bring it back last year, then he got hurt. I hope it will continue its resurection this season. I’m tired of seeing opponents come into our stadium and do it after they score.
I’m with you about bringing back the Mile High Salute also. I would like to see Shannon give the fans one when he gets inducted into the Ring of Fame on Sept. 20!!!!!
Congrats to Rod Smith again. Can’t wait for the season to get under way.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!
Before I went home. I sat in the car listen to that old Master P song”Denver Bronco Soldiers”. Now I’m sitting here watching Any Given Sunday. I ready for the season to start. The salute been back. Before Hills got hurt. He was doing it.
Do me a favor Rod. Get in Marshall’s ear!
Hey Greatness007, check out this ”Denver Bronco Soldier” Rulon Davis.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9540362/?gt1=39002
This is a good read.
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
Next stop, Canton!
Congrats Rod, thanks for the memories!
Go Broncos!