Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion, believes his NFL career statistics warrant consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Smith, who played for the Broncos from 1995 to 2006, amassed 849 receptions, 11,389 receiving yards, and 68 touchdowns. These numbers place him among the top receivers in league history, ranking 30th in receptions, 34th in receiving yards, and tied for 53rd in touchdowns.
Smith emphasized his accomplishments within the context of a run-heavy Broncos offense, highlighting that the team consistently featured 1,000-yard rushers during his tenure, including Terrell Davis, Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson, Clinton Portis, and Reuben Droughns. He argues that his receiving production despite the team's focus on the ground game strengthens his case for Hall of Fame induction.
He also drew comparisons to Hall of Fame receivers Raymond Berry and Art Monk, both of whom finished their careers with 68 touchdown receptions, the same number as Smith. Furthermore, Smith accumulated more receiving yards than Berry and Lance Alworth, further bolstering his argument for Canton recognition.
While Smith was nominated for the Hall of Fame Class of 2023, he did not advance to the finalist stage. However, he remains confident in his credentials and believes his contributions to the Broncos' success, including two Super Bowl victories, should be given significant weight in future Hall of Fame considerations.
