More good news - Rod Smith needs more hip surgery

[SR]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3171344


ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Rod Smith needs another operation on his surgically repaired left hip, and his NFL career could be over.

The Denver Broncos co-captain revealed Friday he needs another surgery. There's a strong possibility he'll require an artificial hip replacement, which almost certainly would end his 13-year NFL career.

"It's hard. Because, honestly, it could be the end of my career. It could be my last game as a professional athlete. My last game with the Denver Broncos could be this Sunday," said Smith, who has been out all season. "That in itself is really emotional, but at the same time I'm blessed to be here this long."

Smith had been getting treatment at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colo., where he had a microfracture hip operation in February. He recently saw a specialist in Los Angeles, and surgery was scheduled there for next month.

Undrafted after a standout career at Missouri Southern, Smith made the team in 1995 after a season on the practice squad, embarking on a journey that included three trips to the Pro Bowl and two Super Bowl rings.

"I have a lot of memories, but the thing is not over, our season is not over," Smith said. "So I'm trying to respect everybody that's out there and make sure I don't take anything away from them. That's what I've been real hesitant to speak to anybody about it, because honestly I'm at the point where I still don't know exactly what's going on.

"I just know my leg still hurts," he said. "It's worse now than it was last year. It's worse now than it was before I actually had surgery. So I'm not comfortable. I have to get to a point where I'm comfortable."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

[Rex]

So sad. An all time great Broncos player.
But the reality is, it was over before the 1st surgery.

[Tned]

Hate to see him go out this way, he was a great Bronco.

[BroncoJoe]

I love Rod Smith.

(note the Smith....)

[Broncolingus]

Retire now Rod while you still have a chance to walk with your grand kids...

You’ve earned that right…

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Rod Smith - Major Class Act :salute: I hope they keep him in the organization.

[LordTrychon]

Hate to see him go out this way, he was a great Bronco.

Hate to see him still in pain.

Rod Smith for WR Coach 2008! :salute:


(Gotta be better than the nepotism I just learned we had in there....)

[dogfish]

:salute: :salute:


one of my alltime favorites-- he was the definition of a class act and a leader. . . the guy played the game the right way and left absolutely everything he had out on the field. . . ya hate to see him go out this way, but even the greats have to hang 'em up eventually, and he had a hell of a career. . .


a guy with his type of work ethic, leadership, and precise technique has a future as a coach if he wants-- it would be nice to see him stay with the organization in some capacity, the way keith burns has. . .

[Broncolingus]

Philip Rivers...see Rod Smith for everything YOU need to know and learn.

Ya, Jacka$$

[BOSSHOGG30]

In Rod we trust!

[BaiLeY324]

Philip Rivers...see Rod Smith for everything YOU need to know and learn.

Ya, Jacka$$

He never will though. Man I wish Al was here, he would have ripped him a new one on Monday night

[Rex]

Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame.

I have watched Rod since he was in college at MSSC. He has always surprised me by taking it to the next level against the odds and against many people's expectations. I have met Rod many times and he is as nice a person as he is a good football player for the most part. He will always be one of my all time favorites. I am glad he played for my favorite team.

[SR]

He never will though. Man I wish Al was here, he would have ripped him a new one on Monday night

This thread is about Rod Smith. See: thread title.

[Requiem / The Dagda]

Everyone had to have this feeling all season long. I would love for Rod to stay as a position coach, much like Steve Watson did - and help continue to mentor Marshall and anyone else on this team. A lot of people tend to underestimate the influence a position coach can have on the development of a player. Marshall has had the blessing of learning from Cris Carter and Rod Smith, two all-time greats at the position.

Rod Smith will always be remembered as the greatest wide receiver the Broncos ever had on their roster, and perhaps it'd be fitting that the one he mentored in Brandon Marshall - would overtake him someday.

A Ring of Famer, and by all means should be considered for the Hall of Fame. A guy who was willing to do whatever it took for his team to win, and was a real winner in the Denver community. The NFL needs more players like Rod, and this world needs more people like him. May the best happen to him and his family, for whatever route he chooses if this is indeed the end.

Thank you Rod, and if it was up to me, #80 can be retired forever.

[Skinny]

I still remember his 1st NFL catch like it was yesterday. The neighbor up above me in the apartment complex i was living in came down to see if i was alright. The game winning TD catch from Elway against Washington when Rod out jumped 2 defenders at the goaline for the win in the winding seconds.

When Elway retired Roy Firestone had Rod and Eddy Mac on his show and Rod mentioned that play and Elways last TD pass being to him in SB XXXIII ... he takes alot of pride in what would seem like 'little things' to everyone else ... outside of the Bronco nation anyways ...

The attention he payed to those little things, the blocking, never missing a practice, sacrificing himself physically and statistically for the better of the team ... is what seperated Rod from the rest of the pack IMO. He was willing to do whatever it took.

Though it does'nt look promising on his return ... until i read a quote from Rod himself saying "I'm retiring" ... i'ma keep 'hope' alive ...

[Retired_Member_001]

:salute: :salute:


one of my alltime favorites-- he was the definition of a class act and a leader. . . the guy played the game the right way and left absolutely everything he had out on the field. . . ya hate to see him go out this way, but even the greats have to hang 'em up eventually, and he had a hell of a career. . .


a guy with his type of work ethic, leadership, and precise technique has a future as a coach if he wants-- it would be nice to see him stay with the organization in some capacity, the way keith burns has. . .

Brilliant post, this is exactly what I wanted to say. :salute:

[Colorado4Life]

Very Sad for Rod Smith... Hope things work out for the best...

[Fan in Exile]

Hate to see him still in pain.

Rod Smith for WR Coach 2008! :salute:


(Gotta be better than the nepotism I just learned we had in there....)


If you mean Jeremy Bates and think that's nepotism you either don't know what the word means or you don't know that he was hired on his own merits long before his father came in. At the same time I don't know why anyone would complain about our WR's they've been doing well, if only they could stay healthy.

[Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal]

Rod Smith is finished, He might aswell get healthy and live his life. Football is over for Big Rod.

[claymore]

Yup, I hope the millions of dollars, and the feeling that he has accomplished something nobody ever has is a conselation prize.........

[LordTrychon]

If you mean Jeremy Bates and think that's nepotism you either don't know what the word means or you don't know that he was hired on his own merits long before his father came in. At the same time I don't know why anyone would complain about our WR's they've been doing well, if only they could stay healthy.

Actually, nepotism could apply to any time there's multiple members of a family brought in... regardless of the order...

But if you read the post, I said that I'd JUST realised it... so yes, I was under the assumption that he was new to the team.

And I don't remember complaining about the WRs. :salute:

[TXBRONC]

I hate to see him go like this.

[NightTrainLayne]

It's sad, but it was obvious since the off-season. Of course, only a guy like Rod would even think it possible to come back. His never-say-die attitude is the reason he played in the NFL to start with, and once here, made it to the pinnacle of NFL WR's.

Rod, we love you, and we will miss you.

[gobroncsnv]

He doesn't need to have a qualifier before his "position", in my book. Too much you hear about him being the best undrafted WR to play the game. How 'bout he's just one of the best WR's to play the game, drafted or not.

We could use him at the very least as a life coach for BMarsh. He has so much to learn, and Rod has so much to teach.

To one of the all-time greats, period... this Mr Pibb's for you.

[broncosfanscott]

Rod Smith is a class act and an outstanding player. Well, it looks like this is the end for Rod Smith. Like dogfish stated, I also hope he remains with the organization after he retires.......maybe help with the WRs.

[Fan in Exile]

(Gotta be better than the nepotism I just learned we had in there....)

This seems like a complaint to me, which is why I wrote what I did.


Actually, nepotism could apply to any time there's multiple members of a family brought in... regardless of the order...

But if you read the post, I said that I'd JUST realised it... so yes, I was under the assumption that he was new to the team.

And I don't remember complaining about the WRs. :salute:

Nepotismhttp://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/nepotism.html is favoritism shown by somebody in power to relatives and friends, especially in appointing them to good positions. So you see the order does matter. No one is going to argue that the WR coach has the authority to bring in an assistant head coach. Jeremy Bates didn't have the power to bring in his dad, so it isn't nepotism.

Shanahan is the one who brought in both and he isn't related to either one. I think it's important to remember this because there are a lot of people calling for coaching changes, like this one with Rod Smith. I would love to see him stay and coach as a Bronco but that is a decision that if he wants to do it will be based on his own merits. It also drives me crazy when people accuse Shanahan of making people into scapegoats. I think we should be confidant with the track record he has that he wants to have the best people.

[wandlc]

I am glad Rod is a Bronco, and will always only be a Bronco. Players like him don't come along very often. A class person in all aspects. On a side note, I hope he is a candidate for the resurfacing procedure. It is much better than a total hip replacement and allows for a much more normal life after the surgery. The procedure has only been available here in the States since this last spring. It has been routinely used on athletes in Europe for the last 10 years or so and some of these athletes have continued to compete after the surgery. I am not advocating that Rod should try to come back and play after the procedure, but that could be a possibility with this particular procedure. My wife just had the resurfacing procedure done and when I asked the Dr if Bo Jackson could have continued playing football if the resurfacing procedure was available when he got hurt and the Dr's answer was yes.

All that being said I hope Rod has a great outcome and stays with the Broncos in some sort of coaching capacity.

[SR]

This seems like a complaint to me, which is why I wrote what I did.



Nepotismhttp://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/nepotism.html is favoritism shown by somebody in power to relatives and friends, especially in appointing them to good positions. So you see the order does matter. No one is going to argue that the WR coach has the authority to bring in an assistant head coach. Jeremy Bates didn't have the power to bring in his dad, so it isn't nepotism.

Shanahan is the one who brought in both and he isn't related to either one. I think it's important to remember this because there are a lot of people calling for coaching changes, like this one with Rod Smith. I would love to see him stay and coach as a Bronco but that is a decision that if he wants to do it will be based on his own merits. It also drives me crazy when people accuse Shanahan of making people into scapegoats. I think we should be confidant with the track record he has that he wants to have the best people.

Lets not pollute this thread with BS like that.

[AFGAHNI_BATTLE_DONKEY]

so whats the bad news?

[Fan in Exile]

Lets not pollute this thread with BS like that.

What exactly are you calling BS?

[SR]

What exactly are you calling BS?

Pretty much most of your post.

[pnbronco]

:salute: :salute:


one of my alltime favorites-- he was the definition of a class act and a leader. . . the guy played the game the right way and left absolutely everything he had out on the field. . . ya hate to see him go out this way, but even the greats have to hang 'em up eventually, and he had a hell of a career. . .


a guy with his type of work ethic, leadership, and precise technique has a future as a coach if he wants-- it would be nice to see him stay with the organization in some capacity, the way keith burns has. . .

Great post. I totally agree and wish him the best. If didn't realize that his son was in High School and a his daughter was getting ready for college. If he doesn't stay with the organization I think it will be so he can spend more time with them.

[Fan in Exile]

Pretty much most of your post.

Then I think it's pretty clear that you are a complete tool. If you are going to say that what someone wrote was BS at least have the integrity to back it up. I was just defending the head coach from a spurious charge if you think that's BS then before you post again pull your head out of your ass.

[SR]

Then I think it's pretty clear that you are a complete tool. If you are going to say that what someone wrote was BS at least have the integrity to back it up. I was just defending the head coach from a spurious charge if you think that's BS then before you post again pull your head out of your ass.

I didn't mean the points made were BS, I just meant it was BS in that it didn't have a lot to do with Rod Smith at all.


And FWIW, my head will stay fimrly lodged up my ass until I am good and ready to remove it. You're not the boss of me and I'll post when ever I want to, head in ass or not. Kthxbie.

[AFGAHNI_BATTLE_DONKEY]

I didn't mean the points made were BS, I just meant it was BS in that it didn't have a lot to do with Rod Smith at all.


And FWIW, my head will stay fimrly lodged up my ass until I am good and ready to remove it. You're not the boss of me and I'll post when ever I want to, head in ass or not. Kthxbie.

i agree.
my head is up my ass as well and its quite warm and comfy up there. ill admit i look weird but atleast my face feels good.

[SR]

i agree.
my head is up my ass as well and its quite warm and comfy up there. ill admit i look weird but atleast my face feels good.

At least we see eye to eye. It's pretty cold in Afghanistan right now too, so I would imagine being warm and cozy is a priority.




And to post something on topic here, since I haven't really expressed this yet in my thread...

Rod Smith is the last of a dying breed when it comes to selflessness and sacrafice for the betterment of the team. Most recievers who have achieved numbers like him these days are "me first" players. Rod never has been that, never would be that, and for that I salute him. I love seeing athletes who play the game because they love it, not because of the money and not because of the fame. It's a shame to see Rod have to go out like this, but he's being a sport about it. It honestly wouldn't surprise me at all if he stayed on board as some kind of position coach with little Bates.

[Fan in Exile]

I didn't mean the points made were BS, I just meant it was BS in that it didn't have a lot to do with Rod Smith at all.


And FWIW, my head will stay fimrly lodged up my ass until I am good and ready to remove it. You're not the boss of me and I'll post when ever I want to, head in ass or not. Kthxbie.

Here's some advice for you, although from your posts you are too self-involved to take it.

Just because you start a thread doesn't mean that you control it. Being a part of a forum means that you are part of a conversation, conversations always go off on tangents. You will be a happier person if you learn to accept that.

If you want a thread to serve a specific function you have to say that people, even me are pretty good at respecting that. Otherwise there is no telling where the thread is going to end up.

If you think a person is getting to far off topic, try a polite request, you don't have to be a tool.

[SR]

Thank you for the e-counselling. I am now a better person because of it. I've learned my lesson. Now I can call people names and attack people's character based on things read on a message board. God. Now I know what it feels like to be a complete human being.