Renton, Wash. - Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice has retired from the NFL, the team announced today.
“The entire organization would like to thank Sidney for his leadership over the past three seasons,” said Executive Vice President/General Manager 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.”
“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,” said Rice. “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. I appreciate all of the wonderful opportunities and look forward to establishing myself as a businessman. I will always be a Seahawk!”
Rice was originally drafted in the second round (44th overall) in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings and played four seasons in Minnesota with 26 starts in 48 games played. He totaled 146 receptions for 2,129 yards and 18 touchdowns with the Vikings and was voted to the Pro Bowl after the 2009 season, when he recorded career-highs in receptions (83), yards (1,312) and touchdowns (8).
He signed with the Seahawks as an unrestricted free agent on July 29, 2011, and started 31 of 33 games played. Rice started all 16 games for the first time in his career totaling 50 receptions for 748 yards and seven touchdowns in 2012. His 2013 season was cut short after eight games after suffering a knee injury at St. Louis (10/28/13). He recorded 15 receptions for 231 yards and three touchdowns during Seattle’s Super Bowl-winning season.
Rice also completed four of seven career pass attempts for 174 yards and tied an NFL record with three receiving touchdowns in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game vs. Dallas.
He recorded 243 receptions for 3,592 yards and 30 touchdowns in his career in 81 games played with 57 starts.
Rice recently invested in Wingstop and opened the first of five franchises in the Seattle area in June. Rice’s Wingstop is located at 2505 South 38th Street in Tacoma, with more restaurants set to open this year.
