Sad news for Hawks fans: Sidney Rice announces retirement amid concussion concerns

SEATTLE -- Sidney Rice, 27, announced his retirement Wednesday in the face of mounting concussion concerns.

According to Seahawks.com, Rice, who was limited to eight games with the Seahawks last season after a leg injury, decided it was best to get out of the game now before his head injury issues get worse.

“I was just thinking about things I’ve been through in the last few years,” Rice told Seahawks.com. “I’ve hit the ground a number of times. I have quite a few injuries. It’s something I’ve always battled through and came back from."

Rice says he is looking forward to his retirement and has plenty of entrepreneurial plans. He opened a Wingstop  restaurant in Tacoma three weeks ago and plans to open three more in the area.

"I'm sort of a job creator right now," Rice told Seahawks.com.

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 signed with the Seahawks as an unrestricted free agent on July 29, 2011, and started 31 of 33 games played.

Last season, Rice caught 15 passes for 231 yards and three TDs before going on injured reserve.

Seahawks General Manager John Schneider expressed his gratitude for Rice's time with the Hawks in a statement.

"The entire organization would like to thank Sidney for his leadership over the past three years," he said. "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."

 

 

Wide receiver Sidney Rice #18 of the Seattle Seahawks during the season opener against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 9, 2012 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Seahawks.