Dennis Smith

Inducted into the Ring of Fame in 2001 was hard hitting safety Dennis Smith. One of my favorite players, #49 was known for his hard hitting style.

A ferocious hitter, Smith was voted to play in six Pro Bowls (following the 1985- 86, 1989- 91 and ’93 seasons), was named All- NFL four times (1985- 86, ’89 and ’93), was named All- AFC four times (1984- 86, ’98) and played on three Broncos Super Bowl teams (XXI, XXII, XXIV). He was also named the club’s Most Inspirational Player in 1992. Smith ranks fourth all- time in games played by a Bronco (184), fifth in games started (170) and sixth in both career interceptions (30) and interception return yards (431). He is one of just three players in the history of the Broncos franchise to play at least 14 seasons with the club, behind John Elway (16) and tied with Tom Jackson. Smith’s career totals include 1,171 tackles (794) and 14 sacks. He posted a career- high five sacks in 1983, a career- high five interceptions in ’91 and a career- high 120 tackles in ’92. Smith was a consensus All- America choice as a senior at USC in 1980, where he lettered four times in football and three times in track. He posted 205 career tackles and 16 interceptions, and played in two Rose Bowls as a Trojan.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitDe01.htm