Sidney Rice

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=Minnesota Vikings
currentnumber=18
currentposition=Wide receiver
birthdate=birth date and age|1986|9|1
birthplace=Gaffney, South Carolina
heightft=6
heightin=4
weight=202
debutyear=2007
debutteam=Minnesota Vikings
college=South Carolina
draftyear=2007
draftround=2
draftpick=44
pastteams=
* Minnesota Vikings (2007-present)
nfl=RIC161100

Sidney R. Rice (born September 1, 1986, in Gaffney, South Carolina) is a wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings and played collegiately for the University of South Carolina.

Personal life

Rice, youngest of three brothers (Tramell and Jarvis), is a native of Gaffney, South Carolina, where he played both football and basketball for the Gaffney Indians. Rice 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. Rice was regarded as the best receiver in the state of South Carolina during his senior year. 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

Rice redshirted his freshman year in 2004.

In his reshirt freshman year in 2005, he 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 and SEC record for most receiving touchdowns in a game. For his short career, he broke Sterling Sharpe's career touchdown and yardage receiving records in just two years. He finished his career with 23 touchdowns and would have most certainly broken the SEC record of 31 receiving touchdowns, set by another Steve Spurrier player, Reidel Anthony of Florida in 1996, had he stayed for his remaining two years of eligibility.

NFL career

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 on July 27, 2007.cite news|title=Rice signs|url=http://www.startribune.com/blogs/vikings/?p=820|last=Seifert|first=Kevin|authorlink=Kevin Seifert|publisher="Star Tribune"|date=2007-07-27|accessdate=2007-07-27]

Rice caught his first touchdown pass on September 30, 2007 playing against the Green Bay Packers.

Rice finished his rookie season with 31 receptions for 396 yards and four touchdowns. He also completed two passes including a 79 yard pass, the longest for a non-quarterback in Vikings history.Fact|date=April 2008.

Notes

External links

* [http://uscsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/rice_sidney00.html South Carolina Gamecocks bio]
* [http://vikings.com/TeamPlayerProfile_sidney_rice.aspx Vikings.com Minnesota Vikings bio]