erry 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 last weekend's American Century Championship at the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. "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 31/2 seasons with the Raiders and a half-season in Seattle, he tried out with Denver last year but stepped away after training camp.
Article appears courtesy of The Contra Costa Times.
