Simeon Rice Biography

Simeon James Rice, born February 24, 1974, is an American former professional football player who played as a defensive end in the National Football League. He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini and holds the record for most sacks in Big Ten Conference history. Rice was selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 1996 NFL draft. Over his 12-year NFL career, he recorded 122 sacks, forced 25 fumbles, recovered 8, and intercepted 5 passes. Initially recruited as a running back, he was moved to tight end and defensive end by his high school coach before his junior year. In his third season with the Cardinals, the team made the playoffs and won a postseason game for the first time since 1947. The 2000 season marked a year when Rice was delayed in returning to the field due to contract negotiations, missing the first two games of the regular season.