NFL Retirements

While OTAs are the beginning of newly drafted rookies' careers and providing the first taste of NFL life, this is also the time when retirements are announced.  Most of us expect Brett Favre to waffle on a yearly basis, there are others great, well known and appreciated players hanging up their cleats with no expectation of coming back to play for a old rival. 

Isaac Bruce

Isaac Bruce was traded back to the St. Louis Rams so he can retire as a Ram, the team that drafted him in 1994.  After 16 seasons, 4 Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl Ring, Bruce announced his retirement Wednesday.  He set virtually every receiving record for the St. Louis franchise and ranks at the top of all-time receivers: 2nd in receiving yards (15,208), tied 2nd in yards per catch (14.9), 5th in catches (1,024) and 9th in receiving touchdowns (91). 

Isaac Bruce was part of "The Greatest Show on Turf" and caught the game winning touchdown pass down the sideling from Kurt Warner in Super Bowl XXXIV.  The Rams plan to retire his number 80 jersey during the October 31 game against the Carolina Panthers. 

Next stop, Canton and the Hall of Fame.

Muhsin Muhammad

Another receiver announced his retirement today.  After 14 seasons, all with Carolina except for the three with the Chicago Bears, Muhsin Muhammad is also hanging up this cleats.  Drafted in 1996 in the second round, Muhammad was voted to the Pro Bowl in 1999.  After Steve Smith was drafted, the two complemented each other were paramount with the Panthers reaching the Super Bowl in 2003.  Though his career is short of a Hall of Fame career, no one will ever slight his performance and importance on the Carolina Panthers.