LINCICOME: An icon forged out of grit
By Bernie Lincicome, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published July 24, 2008 at 11:25 p.m.
Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images
Rod Smith makes a reception against the Baltimore Ravens in 2003.
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Any judgment of Rod Smith nearly always begins with the word "undrafted," as if it were Smith's fault the entire National Football League was stupid.
First undrafted player to gain 10,000 yards. More receiving touchdowns (68) than any undrafted receiver. More catches (849) than any undrafted player. Like that.
It is like being the greatest left-handed violinist or the best basketball player under 6 feet.
It was Smith's lot to be always modified, a reach for explanations on how this man - not particularly fast, not particularly big, not particularly fascinating - could do what he did.
Mike Shanahan recalled watching film and wondering why no one could cover this undrafted guy. "Holy cow," Shanahan said to himself, "I've got myself a football player and I've got myself a winner."
He could have been a lineman, Smith was so dull, and he was, sort of. As Shanahan said with a coach's pleasure, Smith took as much pride in blocking for a running back as he did in catching the football.
It cannot be a coincidence that as age and injury caught up to Smith, making him a spectator for the 2007 season, the celebrated Broncos running game turned into soft cheese.
"I gave them everything I had," Smith said Thursday, standing where others of the glory days, Terrell Davis, Shannon Sharpe, Eddie McCaffrey, have stood recently, saying farewell.
The whole absent gang that typified the Broncos (save center Tom Nalen) set the standard for present and future Broncos. They are now names on a stadium facade or figures in NFL Classics, each now larger in memory than in fact.
It is that way with yesterday. Everything seems greater than it was, but whatever this is now, it certainly is going to miss Rod Smith.
"All I ever wanted to do was win," Smith said.
It cannot be as simple as that because everyone wants to win. It is just that not everyone is a winner. What made Smith a winner is a will not to lose, not personally and not as long as he could do anything about it.
If he played three seasons on a hip that needed tending, that was just what it took. And to find how bad it was is just the price of winning.
Smith could have been a lunch pail laborer, which he also was, punching in, doing his job, not complaining, earning his pay and holding up society around him.
If that society was as narrow as the Broncos locker room, or a Broncos huddle, there was no doubt where approval meant the most.
Smith was the man no one wanted to disappoint, the man whose pat on the, uh, back certified a job done as well as Smith himself would do it.
When it was meant as a compliment, Smith would have been the salt of the earth, if now the preference is for showboats and braggarts, those with gimmicks and end zone antics.
"Obviously, he is the greatest wide receiver to ever play for the Broncos," owner Pat Bowlen said.
Not so obviously. Obvious was not Smith's way. Smith did not glitter when he played.
Three Pro Bowls were likely five too few. And his 849 receptions, while the most for a Bronco, fall short of contemporary Marvin Harrison (1,042), and his touchdown catches lag Terrell Owens (129) and Randy Moss (124).
Those are likely to be the three wide receivers considered most highly from the same generation as Smith. Shanahan might rightly boost Smith as the ultimate team player, but fame, and the hall that houses it, does not generally find those who do not want it.
There is no Rod Smith signature shoe. He sold pizza locally, not soup nationally.
The question of whether Smith belongs in the Hall of Fame will be debated mostly in local voices, for he just never gained the national reputation he deserved. Some of his best years were after John Elway and coincided with the Broncos' retreat rather than their glory.
It will have to be enough to be remembered as a great Bronco, and that is not so bad, there with Elway and Davis and Sharpe and the rest.
From an afterthought to a lasting legend is a journey to be treasured. To be the man among men is worth more than any outsider's opinion.
And to think how much more Smith could have been if only he had been drafted.
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July 25, 2008
12:12 a.m.
Suggest removal
BornOrange writes:
It's about time, Bernie- you finally got something right concerning the Broncos. Now, PLEASE Go Away!
July 25, 2008
1:07 a.m.
Suggest removal
TheSlinger writes:
bernie, you can actually say how good a local sports hero is? im suprised and actually quite delighted. still dont know why you have a job though
July 25, 2008
9:26 a.m.
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DenverDan writes:
Class act! Most WR's are loud mouth show boats. I hope he will coach or stay with the team in the front office.
July 25, 2008
9:32 a.m.
Suggest removal
BroncoRick69 writes:
Bernie you're so crass. I suggest taking a few prozac a couple of hours before you try to write your next fiasco. I can't believe the RMN has put up with you for this long. Seriously.
July 25, 2008
1:14 p.m.
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rpmcmurphy writes:
Rod Smith was the hardest working man in pro football for many years, and will truly be missed. Good luck Rod.
July 25, 2008
1:42 p.m.
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4gColoNative writes:
Rod typified (and still typifies, in the manner in which he is retiring) the best characteristics of professional athletes. It felt good while watching Broncos games to know that Rod Smith could be counted upon to perform all of his roles well and to cheer for him. Best wishes Rod!