Future Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice announced his retirement from football on Monday. "I never thought I would see this day. But it's here now and I feel pretty good about it," said Rice. Rice was set to return for his 21st season in the NFL after agreeing to terms on a contract with the Denver Broncos, but decided to retire when he was told he might not play a major role with the team. "I felt I came in and gave it my best shot and I still wanted to play. It didn't happen. I am still going to hold my head high and stay positive," added Rice. Denver coach Mike Shanahan did not guarantee Rice a roster spot when he signed with the team, but Rice survived the Broncos' round of cuts over the weekend as the team trimmed its roster to 53 players. However, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound receiver, who has played in 303 career games, entered the opening week listed fourth on the depth chart. "I talked to Jerry a couple of days ago and I informed (him) that he would not be one of our top three wide receivers," said Shanahan. "I could not guarantee him, being a fourth wide receiver, that he would dress out every game. "Sometimes that fourth receiver is just not a receiver. He is a guy that is going to help you on special teams. I told him I would still love him on this football team, but you have to think about that role," Shanahan remarked. A two-time NFL Player of the Year, Rice holds just about every league record for wide receivers, including 1,549 receptions, 22,895 receiving yards and 197 touchdowns. He also holds the record for total touchdowns with 208. The Mississippi Valley State product spent the first 16 seasons of his career with San Francisco, winning three Super Bowl titles, before crossing the bay into Oakland as a free agent in 2001. "To me, it was never about what I accomplished on the football field. It was about the way I played the game," said Rice. "I played the game with a lot of determination, a lot of poise, a lot of pride and I think what you saw out there...was an individual who really just loved the game." He was the MVP of the 49ers' Super Bowl XXIII triumph over Cincinnati, catching 11 passes for 215 yards in a 20-16 victory. Rice, who will turn 43 years old in October, joined Seattle in a 2004 mid- season trade with Oakland and played 11 games for the Seahawks, starting nine. As a member of the NFC West-champion Seahawks, Rice recorded 362 yards and three touchdowns on 25 catches. He had five receptions for 67 yards in six games with the Raiders. In Week 2 of the 2004 season versus Buffalo, Rice had his record streak of consecutive games with a reception halted at 274. Thanks to such incredible stats, Rice was invited to 13 Pro Bowls. "This is a happy day for me. I think the tears that you see basically is that I have really enjoyed this ride. It's been really great, really fantastic," said Rice.