Dennis Smith (safety)

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Dennis Smith (born February 3, 1959) is a former American football safety who played in the NFL for the Denver Broncos from 1981 to 1994. A Santa Monica, California native, he starred at Santa Monica High School and was Co-Player of the Year in 1976. He played college football for USC, where he was a consensus All-American in 1980 and helped the Trojans win the national championship in 1978. He finished college with 205 tackles and 16 interceptions and appeared in two Rose Bowls.

Drafted in the first round (15th overall) by the Broncos in 1981, Smith became one of the league’s top safeties. He earned six Pro Bowls (1985, 1986, 1989–1991, 1993) and was a four-time All-Pro (first-team in 1984 and 1986; second-team in 1989). He led the NFL in combined tackles in 1983 and appeared in three Broncos Super Bowls (XXI, XXII, XXIV). Smith finished his Broncos career with 1,171 tackles, 30 interceptions, and 15 sacks, and he remains the team’s all-time leading tackler with 1,152 tackles. He was inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame in 2001 and the Colorado Hall of Fame in 2006.