In something of a shocking announcement, Seattle Seahawks WR Sidney Rice has decided to retire from the NFL at age 27 according to Pro Football Talk:
Per a league source, receiver Sidney Rice has decided to retire from football. The source says that the 27-year-old Rice’s decision arises from his history of concussions.
This is undoubtedly a sad thing to hear as Rice was only 27, but the fact that he was willing to walk away before suffering serious health issues is something that should be admired.
Rice was originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings and parlayed an impressive 2009 season, in which he caught 83 passes for 1,212 yards and eight touchdowns, into a five-year, $41 million contract with the Seahawks.
Unfortunately for Rice, and the Seahawks, he would never come close to matching that production again, mainly due to injuries. He caught only 97 passes in three years in Seattle.
In his final four seasons in the NFL, Rice missed 24 games and was never able to grow into an elite level receiver that many expected him to become.
This news is just as hurtful for the Seahawks, who also watched Golden Tate leave in free agency to join the Detroit Lions.
Now the defending Super Bowl champions are pretty thin at wideout, relying on Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, and Percy Harvin, who has struggled with injuries himself since joining the NFL.
As long as the Seahawks have their amazing defense, and Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch on offense, they should be fine, but losing Rice undoubtedly hurts.
