Jerry Rice Retires

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2152365
Jerry Rice (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=126) is calling it a career.

The future Hall of Fame receiver is to announce his retirement at a Monday afternoon news conference, ESPN's Andrea Kremer.


Rice, who met with Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan earlier in the day, was informed he was not going to be Denver's No. 3 receiver and possibly would not be active for every game. After learning of that role, Rice decided he would rather retire, according to Kremer.
When the Broncos cut down their roster to 53 players on Saturday, the 42-year-old Rice made the squad, but knew he potentially could be Denver's last option at receiver.

Darius Watts (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6813)' strong performance in Friday night's 30-21 preseason victory over Arizona won him the No. 3 job behind Rod Smith (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3328) and Ashley Lelie (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5905). Rice had moved ahead of Watts on the depth chart earlier in camp, but Watts' recent push changed the team's thinking.

In fact, Charlie Adams (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6327) is expected to challenge Watts for the No. 3 job. Adams has been cut a couple times, and he's catching the ball well after getting contact.

Rice signed with Denver this summer in hopes of finishing his career as a backup with the Broncos. He wanted to be the team's No. 3 receiver.

"That was a must for him," Rice's agent, Jim Steiner, told The Associated Press on Sunday.

Workers at the hotel where Rice has stayed since he signed with Denver -- a golf resort close to the Broncos facility -- said Rice's golf clubs were gone, and he checked out of the hotel late last week.

Denver kept six receivers on its final roster, including Rice, Darius Watts, Charlie Adams and Todd Devoe.

After Denver's final preseason game Friday, Rice told the Denver Post: "Those guys deserve to be on the field. They worked real hard. The thing is, I'm going to hold my head high if it doesn't work out."

Arguably the greatest wide receiver of all-time retired today after 21 NFL seasons. The main reason Rice cited was that he didn't want to be the fourth receiver in Denver's system, which for some games he possibly wouldn't suit up.

A class act and a great athlete has left the NFL. We wish him the best and, thanks for all the memories.

Yes, no question the greatest of all time and he does not deserve to be the #4 wideout. He still goes out on top in my book and thanks for the memories as well.

I remember hearing that he would be behind a no-name. Screw that, good for him.

Yeah, what is it, 6 years til the hall of fame?

5 years till he's eligible. he's definitely a first ballot hall of famer, no doubt he's in. i wish he would've gotten 3 more touchdowns though, i think that was what his goal is.

All time great... but I would have felt better about his career had he retired 2 years ago. It's hard to see him relegated to the Bronco's 4th or 5th WR.

Great player (one of the NFL's greatest) but also a great person and role model--worked hard all the time, was a team player, etc. The anti-TO.

Great player (one of the NFL's greatest) but also a great person and role model--worked hard all the time, was a team player, etc. The anti-TO.

You hit the (TO) nail on the head with that last bit :smashfrea

I remember watching Rice way back when and thinking the skinny freak doesn't look like he can run, but damn he's fast and got moves. Now I just think what an understatement that was.

I don't know where we picked that draft, but if it was before 16... :vomit-smi He would have made a difference at the Skins!

Best. Reciver. Ever. Not a question in my mind that he was the best. He probaboly should have retired a few years ago, but if the guy wanted to get some more football out there, by all means he should have. Class act.