Sports briefly: Seahawks' Rice says he'll retire

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday after an injury-filled career that included issues with concussions.

The Seahawks announced the former Viking's decision two days before the start of training camp.

Rice played seven seasons and is retiring at age 27.

"I have enjoyed my experiences with all of my coaches, teammates and passionate Seahawks fans. I take great pride in knowing I was one of the players signed to help build the foundation of the team that ultimately won the Super Bowl," Rice said in a statement.

"I'll be joining the 12s in support of the Seahawks as they take on the challenge to repeat."

Rice missed half of last season with the Seahawks after tearing an ACL against St. Louis. Rice re-signed with Seattle in the offseason on a $1 million, one-year deal. But he was going to be pushed to make the Seahawks' final roster with the additions of draft picks Paul Richardson and Kevin Norwood and a healthy Percy Harvin.

"The entire organization would like to thank Sidney for his leadership over the past three seasons," Seattle General Manager John Schneider said. "His time as a Seahawks player displayed the core values that [coach] Pete [Carroll] and I aimed to bring to the program."

Rice's best season overall came in 2009 with the Vikings when he was selected to the Pro Bowl after catching 83 passes for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns.

But injuries always were part of the story with Rice. His breakout season with Minnesota in 2009 was followed by hip surgery that limited him to six games in 2010, his final season with the Vikings.

His first season with Seattle was shortened by a pair of concussions that eventually landed Rice on injured reserve. Rice started six of Seattle's first eight games last season before injuring his knee against the Rams.

Broncos owner has Alzheimer's disease

Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen is giving up control of the team because of Alzheimer's disease. The 70-year-old Bowlen will no longer be a part of the club's daily operations, the Broncos announced Wednesday. Team President Joe Ellis is adding the title of chief executive officer and will have final say on all matters. … Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson was suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drugs policy. … The Jets agreed to terms on a two-year deal with free-agent defensive end Jason Babin. … Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles is headed to training camp after agreeing to a two-year contract extension reportedly worth $18 million in new money.

Poland's Rafal Majka won the 17th stage of the Tour de France in a late breakaway on the last of four tough climbs in the Pyrenees.Vincenzo Nibali trailed by about a minute and gained key seconds on his main rivals as he retained the leader's yellow jersey that he's worn for all but two stages this year.

NBA: Mavericks point guard Raymond Felton pleaded guilty in a New York gun case, taking a plea deal that involved admitting a felony but spares him jail. … The Hornets signed free agent point guard Brian Roberts. … The Suns re-signed forward P.J. Tucker to a multiyear contract. … The Mavericks reached a deal with free-agent forward Al-Farouq Aminu after scrapping a contract with Rashard Lewis because of a knee issue.

WNBA: All-Star Ivory Latta scored 23 points and Monique Currie had 17 as Washington beat Connecticut 89-75. … San Antonio veteran Becky Hammon, 37, will retire after the season.