The Denver Broncos welcomed back former wide receiver Rod Smith at practice on Thursday, ahead of the team’s final preseason game. Smith, who spent all 12 seasons of his National Football League career with the Broncos from 1995 to 2006, remains the franchise’s all-time leading receiver.
Smith recorded 11,389 receiving yards and 68 touchdowns in his career. He also averaged 13.4 yards per catch and was named to two All-Pro Second-Teams as well as three Pro Bowls. His notable achievements include six straight 1,000-yard seasons and surpassing the mark in eight out of nine years. Smith twice caught more than 100 passes in a season, including an NFL-leading total of 113 receptions in 2001.
One of Smith’s most memorable plays came during Super Bowl XXXIII, when he caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from quarterback John Elway—marking the final passing touchdown of Elway’s National Football League career.
During Thursday’s practice, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton spoke about meeting with Smith: “Fantastic, and his story, I told him, ‘I would have loved to have been able to coach you,’ because all the stories I’ve heard, his toughness, his unselfishness, his journey, that’s inspiring. I didn’t realize he was still playing in that first game here at the new stadium … we chatted about that for a little bit,” Payton said.
Payton continued by describing Smith’s passion for the Broncos organization: “He’s got a big personality, and you can just feel being around him, his passion for this team and the fans here. I love when these guys come around,” Payton said.
Smith’s visit comes as the current group of receivers prepares for the upcoming season following recent roster changes. The team is looking to its experienced alumni such as Smith to help guide younger players through their development in professional football.
