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Former Broncos WR Rod Smith Elected To Ring Of Fame

Rod Smith becomes the first inductee into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame since 2009, when tight end Shannon Sharpe joined the elite group.

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 08:  The Denver Broncos play against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 8, 2012 in Denver, Colorado.  (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 08: The Denver Broncos play against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 8, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith has been elected to the team's Ring of Fame, owner Pat Bowlen announced on Thursday:

"Players like Rod don’t come through your door very often, but he came through ours every day with a purpose and hunger to be great," Bowlen said in a statement. "Rod’s production and numbers -- as outstanding as they were -- paled in comparison to his commitment to winning and the respect he commanded from each and every one of his teammates throughout his career. Emerging from an undrafted player to one of the best to ever play his position, Rod has truly earned his place among the greatest Broncos of all time."

His induction ceremony will take place on Sunday, Sept. 23, at halftime of the home game against the Houston Texans. Smith becomes the first player elected since tight end Shannon Sharpe entered in 2009. Smith joins Lionel Taylor and Haven Moses as the only receivers in the Ring of Fame.

Smith was an undrafted free agent from Missouri Southern State who went on to lead the Broncos several franchise receiving categories. His receptions (849), yards (11,389) and touchdowns (65) are franchise records for a career in the regular season.

Here is a complete list of the current members of the Ring of Fame:

Austin "Goose" Gonsoulin, S, 1960–66, inducted 1984
Rich Jackson, DE, 1967–72, inducted 1984
Floyd Little, RB, 1967–75, inducted 1984
Lionel Taylor, WR, 1960–66, inducted 1984
Gerald Phipps, Owner, 1961–81, inducted 1985
Charley Johnson, QB, 1972–75, inducted 1986
Paul Smith, DE, 1968–78, inducted 1986
Frank Tripucka, QB, 1960–63, inducted 1986
Billy Thompson, S, 1969–81, inducted 1987
Craig Morton, QB, 1977–82, inducted 1988
Haven Moses, WR, 1972–81, inducted 1988
Jim Turner, K, 1971–79, inducted 1988
Randy Gradishar, LB, 1974–83, inducted 1989
Tom Jackson, LB, 1973–86, inducted 1992
Louis Wright, S, 1975–86, inducted 1993
John Elway, QB, 1983–98, inducted 1999
Karl Mecklenburg, LB, 1983–95, inducted 2001
Dennis Smith, S, 1981–94, inducted 2001
Gary Zimmerman, OT, 1993–97, inducted 2003
Steve Atwater, S, 1989–98, inducted 2005
Terrell Davis, RB, 1995–2001, inducted 2007
Shannon Sharpe, TE, 1990–99, 2002–03, inducted 2009

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