BEREA, Ohio -- A tearful Reggie Rucker announced his retirement from the Cleveland Browns Thursday, saying he had too much pride to stay on the roster as a backup wide receiver.
Rucker, 34, played seven seasons with the Browns after being obtained from the New England Patriots and was just 21 catches shy of tying Gary Collins for the team's career reception record.
'The time has come to move on,' said the 12-year veteran, who lost his starting job to Ricky Feacher midway through the 1981 season when he hurt his back. 'I don't like being second banana to anyone.'
Rucker said he had no bitter feelings about the situation and would always consider himself a Cleveland Brown.
'It was a very difficult decision because I love the game, I love the team and I love the city. It's just time to do something else.'
Rucker played 169 games since joining the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent in 1969. He later played for the New York Giants before coming to the Patriots in 1972. He was traded to the Browns prior to the 1975 season.
He's one of only three Cleveland receivers with more than 300 career catches, behind Collins' 331 and Greg Pruitt's 323. Counting his totals with other teams, Rucker caught 447 passes for 7,065 yards and 44 touchdowns.
In training camp this year, Willis Adams finally began displaying signs of the talent which made him a first-round draft choice in 1979, meaning Rucker stood to see little action this season.
Later, Coach Sam Rutigliano paid tribute to Rucker.
'He handled it like Joe DiMaggio did -- with a lot of class and a lot of dignity,' he said. 'As far as the mental aspect of the game is concerned, Reggie was probably the most prepared player I've ever come across.
'I owe Reggie a lot. When this job opened up in Cleveland (after the 1977 season), he was the first guy to go to (owner) Art Modell's door and say 'Hire Sam Rutigliano.''
Rutigliano was an assistant coach with New England while Rucker was a player there.
'People say you can't be friends with the players and coach them at the same time in this business,' Rutigliano said. 'I think Reggie and I proved that wasn't correct.'
Modell said he had a high regard for Rucker that was unaffected by Rucker's strong pro-union stance.
'I'll miss him not only as an athlete but also as a person,' said Modell.
The Browns also announced Thursday the signing of linebacker Bob Golic, who was waived by the Patriots Tuesday.
Rutigliano said Golic, a Cleveland native who was a cross-town high school rival of linebacker Tom Cousineau, would be tried at nose tackle.
Cleveland has been looking for a backup to Henry Bradley all summer. One of the candidates, rookie free agent Jamie Giles, was placed on injured reserve with a severe thigh bruise
