Earlier this morning, Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen called former wide receiver Rod Smith and notified him that he had been voted into the Broncos Ring of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
That call started a chain of phone calls and text messages that would flood the franchise’s all-time leading receiver’s phone.

“It’s a huge deal,” Smith said of the honor on a conference call. “I got a chance to speak to Mr. Bowlen today and just really thanked him for allowing me and my family to be a part of his family. He really allowed me a chance to work for the best organization in all of pro sports.”

Smith thanked every player he ever played with, along with a slew of former coaches who he credited with helping him achieve success in the NFL.

Throughout the day, he estimated that he received 50 text messages from those people congratulating him
on the news.

“A lot of people are excited, and I’m excited as well,” he said. “It’s a testament to where you came from. There are a lot of people that shared that honor with me, not only the people I grew up with from my immediate family, but every guy I ever played high school football with or through college and on and on and on. It’s a huge deal.”