Denver, CO (Best E Casino) - Denver Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith announced his retirement in a Thursday press conference, marking the end of a 12-year career as one of the most consistently productive receivers in the NFL.

Smith joined Denver as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri Southern University prior to the 1994 season, and went on to amass 849 career receptions, 11,389 receiving yards and 68 touchdowns in 183 games with the Broncos.

"I've been able to play for the best owner in sports, not just professional football," Smith said. "I've been able to play for the best coach in sports. I've been blessed."

Smith was placed on the reserve/retired list in February, effectively ending the career of perhaps the most accomplished pass catcher in franchise history.

"Obviously the greatest wide receiver to ever play for the Denver Broncos," said Broncos owner Pat Bowlen.

Smith underwent the second of two hip surgeries in January. The 37-year old missed the entire 2007 campaign while rehabilitating from the initial procedure last offseason, and was placed on injured reserve in early November.

"I knew this was going to happen, that's why I'm prepared," Smith said.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Smith ranks seventh in career games played with the Broncos and holds the NFL career record for receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches by an undrafted player.

The 6-foot, 190-pounder currently ranks 12th on the NFL's career receptions list, and his nine-year streak of catching at least 70 passes each season from 1997 through 2005 ties for the second longest in league history.

"I'm always going to be in Denver," Smith said. "I've rooted myself in this city for a reason. I never wanted to and I never got the opportunity to go anywhere else. And I appreciate that...the market for me has always been right here."

Smith spent his rookie season on the Broncos practice squad but quickly ascended the team's depth chart, becoming an integral member of two Super Bowl champions and seven Denver playoff squads. He set team records with 49 total postseason receptions, 860 receiving yards and six playoff touchdowns. In Denver's Super Bowl XXXIII win over Atlanta, Smith had 152 receiving yards -- tied for fifth-best in Super Bowl history.

"Rod's the only person that I have ever been around on a consistent basis, day in day out, that never cared about a stat," said Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan. "All Rod Smith talked about was winning."

Among his many achievements with Denver, the Texarkana (AR) High School product is the Broncos' career record holder in combined yards (12,488), yards from scrimmage (11,737) and overall touchdowns (71).

"People ask me should Rod Smith be in the Hall of Fame - you're darn right he should," Shanahan said. "He put as much pride in blocking for the running backs than he did catching the football. I'm just so proud to have a guy like this that I hope is with this organization for a long time."