Seattle Seahawks wideout Sidney Rice announced his retirement on Wednesday, after seven injury-plagued NFL seasons.
Rice had been cut by the club back in February as a salary-cap measure, before being re-signed in April.
"After careful consideration and seven wonderful years playing in the National Football League, including the last three for the Seattle Seahawks, I have decided to retire from playing in the National Football League," Rice mused in a statement. "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. I'll be joining the 12s in support of the Seattle Seahawks as they take on the challenge to repeat."
The 27-year-old finished the 2013 campaign on season-ending injured reserve thanks to a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in an October 28 win over the St. Louis Rams. The seventh-year pro totaled 15 receptions for 231 yards and three touchdowns in eight games.
Rice also saw the 2011 campaign -- his first with Seattle -- end with a stint on IR thanks to a concussion.
"The entire organization would like to thank Sidney for his leadership over the past three seasons," said club GM John Schneider. "His time as a Seahawks player displayed the core values that Pete and I aimed to bring to the program and Sidney is a true champion. We wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors."
Rice, taken by the Vikings in the second round of the 2007 draft out of South Carolina, ends his career having compiled 243 catches, 3,592 yards and 30 touchdowns over 81 games (57 starts). He accumulated 97 receptions, 1,463 yards and 12 TDs in three seasons with the Seahawks.
With Minnesota in 2009, Rice participated in all 16 games and posted career- highs in receptions (83), yards gained (1,312) and scores (8).
[SportsNetwork.com]
