- Nov 19, 2001
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So as to retire a niner. Would be a nice touch if he's able to do it. He certainly deserves it.
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Jerry Rice wants to return to the 49ers for a retirement ceremony, but details of the tribute are still being worked out with owner John York.
``John York and I have been communicating and it's going pretty well,'' Rice, 43, said during the American Century Championship at the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course last weekend. ``We're going to get it done this season. I'm going to retire and get it over with.''
If Rice signs a ceremonial one-day contract this year, it will have to be soon. Teams can afford a ceremonial spot on the bigger training-camp rosters, but not on the 53-man squad of the regular season.
The 49ers are working on a fitting tribute, team spokesman Aaron Salkin said.
``No details have been finalized, but there's no doubt the team wants him to retire as a 49er,'' Salkin said. ``Not only the team but the fans.''
Rice won three Super Bowl rings and rewrote the NFL record book during 16 years with the 49ers. After 3 1/2 seasons with the Raiders and a half-season in Seattle, he tried out with the Denver Broncos last year but stepped away after training camp.