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Bruce acquired so he can retire as Ram

Posted: Jun 7, 2010 3:13 PM by Jim Salter - Associated Press
Updated: Jun 7, 2010 4:29 PM

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ST. LOUIS (AP) - Isaac Bruce will go out as a Ram.

The Rams announced Monday that they have acquired the four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver from San Francisco in advance of a retirement news conference on Wednesday. A spokesman said team officials wouldn't comment on Bruce's career until then.

The ceremonial trade did not include an exchange of players or draft picks, Rams spokesman Casey Pearce said.

Bruce, 37, was chosen in the second round (33rd overall) of the 1994 draft out of Memphis by the Los Angeles Rams and spent the next 13 seasons in St. Louis after the franchise relocated here.

He holds franchise records for receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Along with Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk and Torry Holt, Bruce was the core of the high-scoring "Greatest Show on Turf" team that went to two Super Bowls. He caught the winning touchdown pass from Warner in the 23-16 win over Tennessee in the 2000 Super Bowl.

Bruce is second all-time in the NFL in receiving yards (15,208), fifth in receptions (1,024) and ninth in receiving touchdowns (91).

He spent the last two years with San Francisco. He had 61 catches for 835 yards and seven touchdowns in 2008 and began 2009 as a starter, making four catches for 74 yards in a season-opening win over Arizona.

But his playing time diminished significantly after first-round draft pick Michael Crabtree signed in October. Bruce was inactive for five straight games before his teammates persuaded coach Mike Singletary to let Bruce play the season-ending game in St. Louis.

It turned out to be a ceremonial start, but it was still an emotional day for Bruce. Before the game, St. Louis fans chanted "Bruuuuce, Bruuuuce," just as they did in the team's glory days a decade earlier.

Bruce played one snap before spending the rest of the game watching from the sideline. As the game ended, with his image on the video screen, Bruce waved to fans who cheered him and again chanted his name.

Bruce was a quiet, dignified presence on the Rams and was known for a strong work ethic. His shining moment came with just under 2 minutes to play in the 2000 Super Bowl, after the Titans had rallied from a 16-0 deficit to tie the game.

Warner, under a heavy blitz, threw to the sideline. Bruce, in single coverage, waited for the underthrown ball, sidestepped a defender, and raced untouched for the score. The game ended when Titans receiver Kevin Dyson was tackled at the 1-yard-line as time expired.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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