Former USC linebacker Keith Rivers retires from NFL, writes open letter

After a seven-year NFL career, former USC All-American linebacker Keith Rivers announced that he was retiring.

Rivers, 29, wrote an open letter in which he thanked family, friends, coaches and teammates for taking part in his life and career.

“This experience has been less than what I expected for myself but more than I ever dreamed of,” wrote Rivers, who signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent in March.

Rivers played three seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals, who selected him with the ninth pick in the 2008 NFL draft. He spent a fourth season in Cincinnati sidelined because of an injury.

Rivers also played two seasons for the New York Giants and one with the Buffalo Bills.

He made 189 career tackles, recorded three sacks and intercepted two passes.

Here is Rivers’ entire letter:

News broke of my retirement last week the way news always seems to break in sports, in a tweet, on a ticker somewhere, maybe a sound bite.

There is more I want to say, however, and I’m glad to say it here.

To my family, friends, coaches and teammates -- I want to thank you all for being a part of my life and career. This experience has been less than what I expected for myself but more than I ever dreamed of. This wasn’t the way I imagined exiting the game. I thought I’d have a breaking news press conference on ESPN. We all do, at some point, I guess.

Nevertheless, here I am staring into the abyss of my iPhone 6. What to say? Who to thank? Where to start?

If you don’t know my story, my name is Keith Rivers. I was an all blah blah high school player. I went to USC and played in two national championship games and won two Rose Bowls. I started three of my four seasons. I also donned the famed No. 55 and added myself to the All-American wall. I was drafted ninth overall by the Bengals and in four seasons I experienced the highest of the highs and many lows. Cincinnati changed my life for the better. I left there for a town so nice they named it twice and I had a blast in New York. This past year I spent in Buffalo, and that was another experience that I’m thankful for.

Of my seven years in the NFL, I have about 50 starts, a couple hundred tackles, and lots of great experiences. I signed a deal with the Dallas Cowboys this spring and so you’re probably thinking to yourself “why are you retiring at 29?! You have a chance to wear a Cowboys uniform. You’re crazy!” Well I’m not crazy; it’s just the right time. Do I think I can still play at a high level? No doubt. However, looking at this objectively, what makes me feel like it’s done is my ego. As much as I feel like it’s not, it is. Just like one of those eight balls when you shake it, it all points to ego instead of yes. It’s humbling to say I’m not mentally strong enough to check my ego anymore.

I was lucky to be drafted very high and have had the stewardship of Joe Nolan and Frank Fairbanks to keep me on track financially so that I was prepared when this moment came. Many guys aren’t, and that’s sad. I wanted to play, but only if it was the perfect situation. Some might say if you wait for the perfect situation it’s never going to come. You have to create the perfect situation.

When Doug Whaley (GM of the Bills) cut me, I was ironically studying for the GMAT at the Beverly Hills Library. So I guess it seems that after so many years of creating that perfect situation in football, I no longer wish to create it in that arena. Water drops from my eyes thinking about NEVER riding on the bus to the stadium, going through my routines like putting my left sock on first, drinking water before Gatorade, listening to the “I’ve Got to Be Unstoppable” remix before lacing my low top Nikes, going on the field and taking it all in before the masses walk through the turnstiles and fill up the stadium, humming the national anthem, going through last thoughts waiting for the last note to end and crack a smelling salt because it’s war time. Playing in high school we always had to practice on fall break. My coach Willie Pauldo would say that while all the regular kids were at the beach we were different and had what it took to make that commitment. In a scene from the movie “The Program” the coach asks the players to say a few words and what stuck out was a player saying “What I like most about football is being different... we do what others can’t do.”

Many people played a major part in that. Hopefully I don’t forget anyone here.

I’d like to start by giving thanks to my entire family, especially my brothers and father. I’ll start with Reggie. Growing up, you were the coolest big brother a kid could have. In your first year of peewee football you were named MVP. I wanted to be just like you. But what made the biggest impact on my life was your heartfelt advice. One day you told me, “Every morning when you wake up tell yourself that you’re the greatest.” That advice was pivotal in giving me the confidence to become successful in the game and in life. For whatever reason I was dumb/smart enough to listen to you, because I actually did it and I started to believe it!

To Gary, you were and always will be everything to me. Like Reggie, Gary got MVP of the same peewee league. He’s the daredevil of the family. He’s got middle child complex, probably from missing out on the height and size genes! Nevertheless he’s strong as an ox. Gary, you’ve been there for me like a loyal shepherd. I’ve got stories for years sitting in the garage listing to you and Ned talk about getting music in your cars and playing ball again. Honestly, I get speechless when I think about all the things you’ve done to help me become the man that I am. The lessons you bestowed about grades and how to get to the next level meant everything to my development. No one story can do justice to how you much you’ve meant to me as an athlete, brother, friend and all around human being.

Without my father, I would not be here (aside from obvious reasons). He is a hell of man. Dad, as I embark on what will be my toughest battle to date, I’m baffled by how you managed to retire from 20 years in the military while getting divorced and raising three kids. I’ve seen a lot of strong people in my life but you sir are the strongest I’ve ever seen. I admire you for so many reasons - your clothing style not being one of them. As I get more gray hair I notice that I’m starting to become more and more like you. For my whole life I’ve dreaded that moment! But now that it’s here, I guess it’s not so bad. You’re funny without even knowing it. You have a huge heart. You’ll take on any challenge. And as you say, “you’re not a Rivers if you’re not fast”, so I owe you for my wheels. I could go on for days about your sacrifice but I’ll end with this: I was listening to a podcast about family and the guy said parents are like rocket boosters and that once the spaceship gets high enough, the boosters fall off. Well, Dad, I’m here to tell you that you’ve boosted me to Pluto. Thank you for all the support and wisdom but most importantly thanks for being you.

To my incredible friends, coaches and teammates, you guys are and have been that shepherd when Gary couldn’t be there. The list of names that have helped me is endless, and shows how much help it takes for one person to reach a dream. From the PMC’s to the Regas and the Barretts, to the good family Kelly’s Muzzekas... and to all of my teachers, including Ms. Kraus, whom without her I’d still be in Spanish class. I remember Coach Stanton saying, “You should pick a school where you want to live because it’s probably where you’re going to end up living.” It was the best advice and I give it to young players all the time. Coach Pauldo, coach Marsh Sample, Fitz, Don and Joan, you helped me get through some times. Ruck, I spent some of the best times of my life with you (make it hot). Alex, Dhani, The Brakoviches, and the Collins family treating me like one of their own and exposing me to another life at Thanksgiving when I was at Southern Cal. The McCourts, the Partons, Thomas, T2, LJ...I wish I could name you all. But there are two guys that I want to say something extra special about - Ken Norton Jr. and Josh.

Josh, I live in the bird streets because of you. You’ve exposed me to a life that few in L.A. see because you thought enough of an 18-year-old kid from Florida. I’ve received the best advice directly or indirectly via someone you’ve introduced me to. You’ve exposed me to fine art on a collector’s level. You’ve been a great friend. We’ve created a lifetime worth of memories in 11 years.

Ken, or “Kenny” as Pete always called him, I don’t know about the other ‘backers, but I know what kind of impact you had on Thomas and me. To this day we still live by all the sayings and lessons you shared with us. Thank you for being a father figure.

I can’t forget my agents Ryan and Andrew Kessler, two loyal guys, along with my amazing girlfriend Aryn who have all had the pleasure of dealing with the basket case that is me! I also want to give a special shoutout to the incredible Trojan fans and to those who cheered (or booed!) me throughout my NFL career in Ohio, New York and Dallas.

I’m terrified to leave what I know. I’m terrified that I can’t earn right now what I’ve earned in the NFL. I’m terrified to lose the identity I’ve tried so hard not to entrench myself in. But today I’m also proud to say I’m being who I am. I’m being what I was taught to be from a young age when I started playing. I’m going to be different. I’m not going to put the suit on one more time. I’m going to re-create success by using the same discipline and work ethic that made me who I am... Keith Rivers.

Best wishes and Fight On!

-Keith Rivers