OAKLAND, Calif.(AP) Tim Brown signed a one-day contract and retired with the Oakland Raiders on Monday, gracefully ending his 17-year career as one of the NFL's most prolific receivers.
Brown, the Heisman Trophy winner at Notre Dame in 1987, spent his first 16 seasons with the Raiders in Los Angeles and Oakland, becoming the self-proclaimed "Mr. Raider." He spent last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after refusing to accept a tiny role with Oakland, but he always intended to finish his playing career in silver and black.
"At some point in my career, I didn't think this day would ever come," Brown said. "I thought I'd just keep playing and keep playing. But I'm very glad this day has come, and I can move on to the next phase of my life."
That phase might involve NASCAR. Brown, a Dallas native with no background in auto racing, used his retirement to announce plans to partner with Roush Racing on a NASCAR team based in Charlotte, N.C., and to begin competition next year.
If the venture gets off the ground, Brown would become the first black majority owner of a NASCAR team.
"It's going to be a big deal to try and get accomplished, but I think it's going to be great to try," said Brown, who said he was approached by Roush Racing for the job. "Obviously there's a diversity issue that needs to be addressed (in NASCAR). They thought I was a good guy to do it."
Brown had 1,070 receptions for 14,734 yards and 99 touchdowns with the Raiders, who released him last August. Reuniting with former Raiders coach Jon Gruden with the Buccaneers, Brown had just 24 catches for 200 yards and one touchdown last season.
Brown is tied with Steve Largent for third on the NFL's career touchdown catches list, and only former Oakland teammate Jerry Rice has more career yards receiving. His 1,094 career catches rank third in NFL history.
The Raiders said owner Al Davis couldn't attend the ceremony at a hotel near the Raiders' training complex because of scheduling conflicts, but chief executive Amy Trask was on hand to present Brown's ceremonial contract.
jerry rice should follow suit and stop runing his career. :thumb:
Brown, the Heisman Trophy winner at Notre Dame in 1987, spent his first 16 seasons with the Raiders in Los Angeles and Oakland, becoming the self-proclaimed "Mr. Raider." He spent last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after refusing to accept a tiny role with Oakland, but he always intended to finish his playing career in silver and black.
"At some point in my career, I didn't think this day would ever come," Brown said. "I thought I'd just keep playing and keep playing. But I'm very glad this day has come, and I can move on to the next phase of my life."
That phase might involve NASCAR. Brown, a Dallas native with no background in auto racing, used his retirement to announce plans to partner with Roush Racing on a NASCAR team based in Charlotte, N.C., and to begin competition next year.
If the venture gets off the ground, Brown would become the first black majority owner of a NASCAR team.
"It's going to be a big deal to try and get accomplished, but I think it's going to be great to try," said Brown, who said he was approached by Roush Racing for the job. "Obviously there's a diversity issue that needs to be addressed (in NASCAR). They thought I was a good guy to do it."
Brown had 1,070 receptions for 14,734 yards and 99 touchdowns with the Raiders, who released him last August. Reuniting with former Raiders coach Jon Gruden with the Buccaneers, Brown had just 24 catches for 200 yards and one touchdown last season.
Brown is tied with Steve Largent for third on the NFL's career touchdown catches list, and only former Oakland teammate Jerry Rice has more career yards receiving. His 1,094 career catches rank third in NFL history.
The Raiders said owner Al Davis couldn't attend the ceremony at a hotel near the Raiders' training complex because of scheduling conflicts, but chief executive Amy Trask was on hand to present Brown's ceremonial contract.
jerry rice should follow suit and stop runing his career. :thumb:
