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Famed slugger Barry Bonds this morning stunned his teamates and the assembled media, when, at a hastily called press conference, he announced that effective immediately, he was retiring from baseball to devote all his energies and talent to training full time for "Dancing With the Stars 3."

DENVER -- Unwilling to be a bit player with the Broncos, Jerry Rice retired Monday, closing a 20-year career for the most productive receiver in NFL history. Rice, 42, made his decision over the weekend at home in San Francisco, then returned to Broncos headquarters and met with coach Mike Shanahan. He played 20 NFL seasons. "This is a happy day," he said. "I think the tears that you see basically is that I have really enjoyed this ride." Shanahan confirmed what Rice already knew — that he would be a fourth or fifth receiver, at best this season —...

DENVER (Aug. 15, 2005) -- Jerry Rice moved up the Denver depth chart, running as the No. 3 receiver at Broncos practice, ahead of Darius Watts. Rice was already considered a near shoo-in to make the roster and continue his record-setting career into a 21st season. The move only serves to confirm that fact. After practice, the veteran receiver continued with a theme he set when he signed with the Broncos: that he is simply trying to prove himself and make the team. "I pretty much approach every season never thinking about what I accomplished the year before," Rice said....

(June 1, 2005) -- The 1985 NFL Draft was held on April 30, and on that day I was in my office in Dallas prepared to add a new member to our team. One of the players I was hoping to select was a wide receiver out of little-known Mississippi Valley State by the name of Jerry Rice. We had the 17th pick, and using it on him was certainly a possibility. The draft began with Buffalo picking first and taking Bruce Smith, followed by Atlanta taking Bill Fralic. There was only one wide receiver taken in the first 10...

Funny how these things work. For years, we never wanted Jerry Rice to leave. Now the guy won't go away. At 42, Rice refuses to retire. He won't quit, won't bow out, won't walk away, won't give it a rest. How old is he? The Broncos offered him a contract almost two weeks ago, but he didn't get back to them until Wednesday. Seems he made his decision, but forgot what it was. OK, so I made up that last part, but you get the idea. The guy is old. Ancient by NFL standards. Rice, in case you haven't heard,...