Sidney Rice

Sidney R. Rice is a professional football player currently signed as a wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He was born on September 1, 1986, in Gaffney, South Carolina.

Rice was drafted in the second round, as the 44th overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He had a productive rookie season, collecting 31 receptions for 396 yards and four touchdowns - second most receiving touchdowns by a 2007 rookie.

In 2007, he made the first team along with Bernard Berrian. However, in 2008 he suffered a knee injury that sidelined him until week 9, subsequently losing his starting job to Bobby Wade.

In 2009, Rice experienced a resurgence as he build a rapport with new quarterback Brett Favre. His on-field success during a game against the Detroit Lions  led Adrian Peterson to nickname him Showtime.

Rice, youngest of three brothers and son of Jerry Rice, is a native of Pickens, South Carolina, but later moved to Gaffney, SC where he played both football and basketball for the Gaffney Indians. He graduated from Gaffney High School in 2004. He was named All-State in both sports, leading the hoops team to consecutive state titles and the football team to a state championship as well. He was named to the High School Sports Report Statewide All-State team and selected Offensive Player of the Year. Rice ended his career with 138 receptions for 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns.

In 2003, Rice caught 57 passes for 897 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior. Had 38 catches for 735 yards and 11 touchdowns his junior campaign. Also excelled in basketball, earning 2002 - 2003 Class 4A Basketball Player of the Year, after helping Gaffney to the state championship. That season, he averaged 18 points and seven rebounds per game, as the Indians finished the basketball season 28-0.


Collegiate Career

In his redshirt freshman year in 2005, Rice had 70 catches for 1,143 yards (14th all time in SEC history) and 13 touchdowns, a single season receiving record at University of South Carolina (eighth all time in SEC history). He also began his career with eight consecutive games with a touchdown.

In 2006, Rice caught 72 passes for 1,090 yards and 10 touchdowns. He had five touchdowns against Florida Atlantic which broke a USC record and tied an SEC record for most receiving touchdowns in a game. For his short career, he broke Sterling Sharpe's school career touchdown and yardage receiving records in just two years, finishing his career with 23 touchdowns.

Rice was drafted in the 2nd round (44th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He signed a four year contract with the Vikings in 2006.

Rice caught his first touchdown pass on September 30, 2007 playing against the Green Bay Packers. In week 15, against the Bears, Rice injured his knee, causing him to miss the final two games.

Rice finished his rookie season with 31 receptions for 396 yards and four touchdowns (second most receiving touchdowns by a 2007 rookie). He also completed two passes including a 79 yard pass, the longest for a non-quarterback in Vikings history.

The next season, Rice was named a starter with the Vikings new acquisition Bernard Berrian. He got off to a pretty good start scoring a 23 yard touchdown in week one against the Packers. However, Rice suffered a knee injury that kept him out until week 9. When he returned, most of his playing time was when the Vikings were in the red zone as he would lose his starting job to Bobby Wade. Rice finished the 2008 season with 15 catches for 141 yards and 4 touchdowns (fifth most receiving touchdowns by a 2008 second year player).

In 2009, Rice won his starting job back, and has shown chemistry with new quarterback Brett Favre. He had his first 100 yard game against the Baltimore Ravens, finish the game with 6 catches for 176 yards. The next week in Pittsburgh, Rice had a career-high 11 catches for 136 yards. In Week 10 against the Detroit Lions, Rice broke his 176 yard mark, with a 7 catch, 201 yard performance against the Lions, giving him a total of 786 receiving yards in the season.