Many talented players have announced early retirement in the NFL and Sidney Rice was one among them. The star wide receiver had an impressive career since his debut in 2007. His talent was undeniable when he played on the gridiron. However, Rice could play only a few years before announcing early retirement in July 2014.
Sidney Rice began his career with the Minnesota Vikings and then went on to play for the Seattle Seahawks. But, the wide receiver’s career was always clouded with injuries. He suffered from hamstring and ankle injuries, concussions, and even a torn ACL.
As per reports, it was those injuries that led Rice to announce retirement when he was just 27. The star player made it quite clear that he wanted to stay in the game for a longer period. “I wanted to be able to function,” he said. However, injuries took a toll on him and the Seahawks player left the game.
“I have enjoyed my experiences with all of my coaches, teammates, and passionate Seahawks fans. I take great pride in knowing I was one of the players signed to help build the foundation of the team that ultimately won the Super Bowl,” Rice said in a statement after announcing retirement.
Sidney Rice himself revealed that it took him a lot of time to come to this decision. The talented athlete also mentioned that he enjoyed all 7 years of his NFL career. But, as fate had different plans, he couldn’t stay in the game he loved for a longer period.
Outlining the NFL career of Sidney Rice
Born in September 1986, Sidney Rice was the 44th pick of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2nd round in 2007. The wide receiver signed a 4-year contract with the team at that time. He made his first touchdown against the Green Bay Packers. Rice was performing great but he suffered a knee injury in his rookie year while playing against the Chicago Bears.
During his rookie season, Sidney Rice recorded 31 receptions for 396 yards. He also had 4 touchdowns and 2 passes that year. In 2009, the star player delivered a stellar performance and got to the Pro Bowl. After the Vikings, Rice joined the Seattle Seahawks with a 5-year contract.
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Throughout his 7-year career, Sidney Rice saw many ups and downs. The NFL star recorded a total of 243 receptions for 3592 yards, along with 30 touchdowns. Rice won the Super Bowl in 2014 with the Seahawks against the Denver Broncos. However, he soon announced his retirement after a few months.
In a short period of 7 years, Sidney Rice inspired many young football enthusiasts. The wide receiver has so much left in him, but he couldn’t do it anymore. All the injuries he sustained left a big impact on the star player, leading him to announce an early retirement.