As a freshman college football player, Rod Smith was hardly a financial wizard.
“I had a checking account, but I never knew how to write a check,” recalled Smith, now a star wide receiver for the Denver Broncos and an aspiring business mogul. “That experience was very humbling.”
Smith, who eventually graduated from Missouri Southern State University with degrees in economics, marketing and business management, shared that story with about 40 youngsters at George Washington High School on Tuesday.
Smith and Broncos safety John Lynch visited the Denver school to take part in a computer game designed to teach students about personal financial matters.
The game, “Financial Football,” featured multiple-choice questions about money management, including the meaning of liquidity, what a credit bureau does and the difference between a credit card and a debit card.
The students were split into two teams, with Smith leading the “Broncos” and Lynch leading the “Bears.” Each correct answer gained the teams yards, first downs and, eventually, touchdowns or field goals.
Following the game – won by Lynch’s team – the two signed autographs and chatted with students for nearly an hour. U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., also attended.
The event was part of a 17-city tour organized by Visa and the National Football League. The game is available at .
“I knew less than I thought I would,” senior Jordan Bernhardt, 17, said.
Added senior Taryn Tung about Lynch: “Him being here made the experience 10 times better.”
The students, all junior or senior athletes, were nominated for the program by faculty.
Shrieks of joy erupted following each correct answer, and at one point, Lynch’s team began chants of “de- fense” while Smith’s team tried to answer a difficult question.
Jordon Schultz, a senior football player who intends to play in college, said hearing from Smith “was really inspirational.”
“It’s not how much money you make; it’s how you handle it,” said Schultz, 17, when asked what would stick with him.
Smith, 36, joined the Broncos in 1994, earning $65,000 as a rookie. A three-time Pro Bowl player, Smith ranks as the only undrafted wideout with more than 10,000 career receiving yards.
Smith said he is honing his entrepreneurial skills as he nears retirement from pro football. This year, he launched a travel-booking website, and he owns a shopping center in Pueblo and about 20 rental properties in Texas.
Smith acknowledged that he has made his share of financial mistakes. He is one of 430 clients allegedly bilked out of at least $100 million by an Atlanta-based hedge-fund manager jailed on charges of money laundering and securities fraud. Other high-profile clients involved in the case include former Broncos stars Terrell Davis and Steve Atwater.
“I went through a ton to make sure it was a good deal, and it turned out bad,” Smith said after the event at George Washington.
First and goal: Sample questions
1. When using an ATM, your PIN is designed to:
a. indicate your current balance
b. provide the bank access to your financial records
c. provide security as an authorized user
d. indicate your credit rating.
2. To figure out how long it will take to double your money, take this number and divide it by your interest rate:
a. 12
b. 50
c. 72
d. 132
3. Total interest earned on $100 for two years at 10 percent (compounded annually) would be:
a. $2
b. $21
c. $20
d. $10
4. Changes in the buying power of the dollar are measured by:
a. unemployment rate
b. money supply
c. Consumer Price Index
d. interest rates
Answers below:
Staff writer Will Shanley can be reached at 303-954-1260 or wshanley@denverpost.com.
Al Día: Para leer este artículo en español. denverpost.com/aldia
Answers: 1. C; 2. C; 3. B; 4. C
