Rod Smith
Football Student-Athlete
Missouri Southern (1989-93)
Smith set MIAA records in career receiving yards (3,122) and touchdowns (35). He also still holds school records for catches in a game (13), receiving yards in a game (254), receiving yards in a season (1,439), highest average gain per reception in a season (24.0), touchdown receptions in a season (15) and longest pass reception (98 yards). He finished his career with 158 receptions for 3,122 yards and 34 touchdowns, which is now third all-time in Division II. Smith helped the Lions to their last MIAA title and NCAA postseason appearance when the team went 9-1-1 in 1993. That season, he was named first-team All-America by the Associated Press, Kodak, Football Gazette and NCAA Division II sports information directors. In 1993, Smith caught 63 passes for 986 yards and 13 touchdowns, and was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Award.
Smith entered the NFL with the Broncos as a college free agent on May 3, 1994. He holds Broncos' franchise records for career receptions (849), receiving yards (11,389), touchdown catches (68) and overall touchdowns (71). He also leads all undrafted players in NFL history in every major career-receiving category. Smith entered the 2007 season ranked 11th in overall league annals in career receptions, 17th in career receiving yards, and tied for 30th in career receiving touchdowns. In 2005, he became one of 25 players in NFL history to reach 10,000 career yards, a feat he accomplished on Monday Night Football vs. Kansas City (9/26/05). Smith is the first player from the MIAA to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl, and the first to play for two Super Bowl winning teams (Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII).
He posted eight career 1,000 yard seasons, including six straight from 1997-2002. He is also one of just six players to have back-to-back seasons with 100 receptions. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2000, 2001, and 2004.
Smith was inducted into the Missouri Southern Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003 and is the only football player in Southern history to have his number (9) retired. He was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2009 and into the D-2 and College Football Halls of Fame this past year. He retired from professional football before the start of the 2008 season.
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.
Rod has lent his name and has also helped organize the annual "Rod Smith – Green and Golf Classic", a benefit golf tournament that has helped generate funding for the Missouri Southern Athletic Department for the past several years. Through his organization "Rod Smith International" he has also helped fund charities in the Denver area that include the Denver Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, where he is the lead speaker for the "Drive For Live" ... Other activities include a Buff Buddies program that teaches fitness to youngsters, a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Denver and the Denver Rescue Mission that helps provide food and shelter for those that need it.