Jerry Rice Ends 20-Year NFL Career

American football is a rather ugly and unlovable game, but there is one play that gives the game a beauty and excitement that other variations of soccer (rubgy, Aussie Rules, etc.) never achieve – the forward pass. The receivers who grab the awkwardly shaped ball from mid-air while avoiding a punishing assault upon landing are the game’s one saving grace. The best of that lot, Jerry Rice, gave up football at the age of 42 today, and he goes out on top.

After 20 years of outfoxing cornerbacks, the poor sods who tried to keep up with him, Mr. Rice was set to play for the Denver Broncos after his salad days in San Francisco and his curtain call at Oakland had ended. But at his age, the best his friend and coach Mike Shanahan could offer was a fourth of fifth spot, meaning very little playing time. Rather than bear that cross, Mr. Rice called it the end.

Sadness is appropriate at a time like this, for not only was he the greatest, he was a gentleman both on and off the field. However, gratitude is an equally appropriate emotion and more useful. He was a player a child could make into a hero with the full approval of a father. Mr. Rice explained it best in his farewell press conference.

To me it was never about what I accomplished on the football field. It was about the way I played the game. 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.