NFL News: Broncos WR Smith to retire after series of injuries

MongerKhan · 07-24-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Source: Broncos WR Smith to retire after series of injuries
By Bill Williamson
ESPN.com

In a formality, Broncos all-time leading wide receiver Rod Smith is set to announce his retirement on Thursday.

Smith did not play in the 2007 season after having hip surgery. After a second procedure this winter, the team put him on the reserve list, but Smith had said that he wasn't yet ready to officially retire.

A source close to Smith said on Wednesday that Smith has decided to move on.

Thinking he still might play, Smith turned down a chance to be the Broncos receivers coach in February.

In June, Smith visited the Broncos and passed out pointers to the younger receivers as they ran their routes. He said at the time he wasn't sure if he was ready to walk away from football.

However, he admitted if he had caught his last pass, he was at peace with the decision.

"You knew it eventually was going to end," Smith said in June. "When it's time to close the door, trust me, I'm going to close it and wish the Broncos the best, no matter what."

Smith holds franchise records for career receptions (849), yards receiving (11,389), touchdown catches (68), touchdowns (71) and 100-yard games (31).

The Missouri Southern product also leads all undrafted players in every major receiving category.

Smith joined the team's practice squad in 1994 and played on the Broncos' Super Bowl championship teams after the 1998 and '99 seasons.

The Broncos made bolstering their depth at receiver an offseason priority, bringing in Keary Colbert, Samie Parker and Darrell Jackson after severing ties with Javon Walker.

ESPN.com - Source: Broncos WR Smith to retire after series of injuries

Da Bomb · 07-24-2008, 11:19 AM

... i thought rod smith retired a year or two ago. weird.

gmrcharity · 07-24-2008, 12:42 PM

No, He has always hoped to come back but I dont think anyone ever believed he would.

Spewey · 07-26-2008, 08:09 AM

He was the greatest receiver ever to go undrafted! Just goes to show there is a lot of talent out there that the NFL scouts miss because they are obsessed with how tall a guy is, or how fast he is, or what school he went to.

Rod went from being a practice squad player in his first year to the Broncos all-time leading receiver. He had a great career and I'll miss seeing him play. I hope he does end up on the Broncos coaching staff. I think he'd make a great coach.


07-24-2008, 11:19 AM	#2
Da Bomb Richest Vman Alive Moderator Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 10,088 vCash: 127035810 Donate Blog Entries: 15	... i thought rod smith retired a year or two ago. weird. __________________ Hired Guns: Wheaton Thunder SO CFFL: Royale with Cheese CFA: Wheaton Thunder

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07-24-2008, 12:42 PM	#3
gmrcharity Outlaw Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Africa Posts: 1,268 vCash: 151645 Donate	No, He has always hoped to come back but I dont think anyone ever believed he would.


07-26-2008, 08:09 AM	#4
Spewey Outlaw Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: ...where the wind comes sweeping down the plains Posts: 139 vCash: 18775 Donate	He was the greatest receiver ever to go undrafted! Just goes to show there is a lot of talent out there that the NFL scouts miss because they are obsessed with how tall a guy is, or how fast he is, or what school he went to. Rod went from being a practice squad player in his first year to the Broncos all-time leading receiver. He had a great career and I'll miss seeing him play. I hope he does end up on the Broncos coaching staff. I think he'd make a great coach.