Jerry Rice Announces His Retirement From Football

Jerry Rice, the NFL's all-time leading receiver, announced his retirement from football today saying he was unwilling to be the fourth receiver on the Denver Broncos depth chart.

'This is a happy day,' Rice told reporters in Denver. 'I think the tears that you see basically is that I have really enjoyed this ride. I'm done. I'm looking forward to the next phase of my life.'

Rice signed with the Broncos this summer and was reunited with Mike Shanahan who had served as the 49ers offensive coordinator early in Rice's NFL career in the late 80s. Rice hoped that he would fit in well with a familiar system and be able to teach the younger players something about winning.

After the pre-season, however, it became clear that while Rice had made the team, he would be the fourth or even fifth receiver on the Denver depth chart. The 42-year-old future Hall of Famer did not want to accept such a limited role. He decided the writing was on the wall and it was time to step down.

'I've pushed this body for 20 years,' Rice said. 'I was never a coach potato, I was always working out. I had to prove myself every year.

'A lot of guys here were 3 when I started playing. I think those guys are pretty much amazed that I can still run the way I can run.'

Rice was philosophical about the end of his football career.

'To me it was never about what I accomplished on the football field. It was about the way I played the game,' he said. 'I play the game with a lot of determination, a lot of poise, a lot of pride. I think what you saw on the field was an individual who really loved the game and I was just like a little kid. I enjoyed the preparation and the hard work and the dedication that I had to make to try to be one of the best receivers to have ever played the game.'

Rice's agent, Jim Steiner, said his client would not pursue a position with another team this season.

Rice ends his career holding a total of 38 NFL records including most career receptions (1,549), yards, (22,895) and touchdown receptions (197). He holds most of those records by a large margin and is considered the greatest receiver ever to play in the NFL by most experts.

More than his performance on the field, Rice will be remembered for the hard work, dedication and class he showed off of it. Unlike many receivers in the modern NFL, Rice never let his ego get the best of him. He simply worked harder than anybody else and let his play do the talking. He is a lock as a first ballot Hall of Famer in 2009 when he first becomes eligible.