Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

John Elway backs Rod Smith's HOF candidacy, but is ex-Broncos WR worthy?

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Sep 21, 2022 5:05 PM ET

It's no surprise John Elway supports the Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy of former Broncos teammate Rod Smith, one of 129 modern-era nominees for the 2023 class. "In addition to being one of the greatest undrafted players of all time, he's one of the greatest wide receivers to ever play the position,” said Elway, a Hall of Famer.

Smith has a borderline case for the HOF.

He played 13 seasons, all with the Broncos, from 1995-2006. He’s the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions (849), receiving yards (11,389) and receiving TDs (68).

Smith was an integral part of the Broncos' back-to-back Super Bowl campaigns in 1997 and 1998. His 152-yard performance in Super Bowl XXXIII is tied for the fifth-most receiving yards in Super Bowl history.

John Elway ➡️ Rod Smith for an 80-yard touchdown!

Rewatch the @Broncos Super XXXIII victory TODAY at 3 pm ET on @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/LcxQ6C4Rxz
— NFL (@NFL) April 19, 2020

Smith also led the NFL in receptions in 2001 (113). Wideouts Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Marvin Harrison and Terrell Owens all played during this period. Each is a Hall of Famer.

Smith was great in the first half of his career, but injuries limited him in the second half. He never eclipsed 100 catches again before he retired in 2006.

The Broncos' inability to find a true replacement for Elway, who retired in 1998, cost Smith an opportunity to win more championships as well.

Smith was one of the greatest undrafted players of all time and the first to reach the 10,000-yard receiving mark. He is second in receptions for an undrafted player, behind Wes Welker.

.@TheREALrodSmith’s first career catch was legendary.

(via @nflthrowback) pic.twitter.com/fskZqX7AcO
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) June 22, 2021

The 129-player list will be trimmed to semifinalists in November. Fifteen finalists will be named in early January. The 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame class will be inducted in August.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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