TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
Were you a Hawk, Leopard, Razorback, or Tiger?
TXK ROOTS Rod Smith Rodrick (Rod) Smith is a former professional football player hailing from Texarkana, Arkansas. Born May 15, 1970, Smith carved out an impressive career in the National Football League (NFL) as a wide receiver. Smith’s journey to the NFL began at Arkansas High School. His exceptional football skills and dedication to the sport caught the attention of college scouts, leading him to enroll at Missouri Southern State University. Smith played his entire NFL career with the Denver Broncos from 1995 to 2007. Throughout his career, he was known for his consistency, reliable hands, and strong route-running abilities. He played an integral role in helping the team secure back- to-back Super Bowl victories in 1998 (Super Bowl XXXII) and 1999 (Super Bowl XXXIII). Smith retired after the 2007 season and was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 2012, honoring his significant contributions to the franchise. His legacy as a dedicated, hardworking, and accomplished wide receiver continues to inspire aspiring athletes from Texarkana and beyond. Off the field, Smith has remained active in various charitable endeavors, giving back to his community, and using his platform to make a positive impact.
Arkansas High Razorback! We beat Texas High my senior year with me at QB. I love the inner-city rivalry. There is lots of hype that entire week. Texarkana sports were great. Both sides of the line had some tremendous talent. How do you describe Texarkana to your friends? When I say we are half Texas and Arkansas and right by Louisiana, they get where the name came from. Who is someone from Texarkana who impacted your life and why? All my teachers were significant influences; Ms. Donna Harrison, the Goesl family, and the Morine family, to name a few. What would you change about Texarkana? I wish the airport was bigger, so I could fly direct from Denver. What is your nickname for Texarkana? T-Town What do you miss about Texarkana? The friendships were amazing. As we got older and moved on, you lose touch with a lot of people. Those get-togethers were epic! What words do you live by? The only thing that can stop you is you! Don’t stop. You deserve to live an amazing life. Anything we haven’t asked about that you would like to share? I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am today without my family— Mom, Lydia, Karen, Vicky, Nakia, and Tiffany. They have been there through it all, supporting and guiding me through the struggle. We look forward to making sure the next generation doesn’t have it as hard.
Where was your favorite place to eat in Texarkana? The Polar Bear and Charcoal Broiler. They need to bring them back! What was the teen hangout when you lived here? After football games, we would get in the car and cruise around. Didn’t take much time since Texarkana is not that big. It was fun to hang with friends, though. Where was your favorite place to shop in Texarkana?
There was no shopping for me. We didn’t have any money. There was no shopping going on.
TXK Roots is Texarkana Magazine ’s forum to highlight and honor Texarkana natives who have accomplished big things in the world. These folks may have relocated, but they took the values, education, work ethic and creativity instilled in them by growing up in this unique border city and used these qualities to blaze extraordinary trails. We asked them to share their thoughts about growing up here. No matter how far from Texarkana they may find themselves, we will always consider them our neighbors and we are proud to claim them as forever members of our extended Texarkana community. After all, “everyone is famous in their hometown!”
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TXK ROOTS
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