Former USC football All-American Keith Rivers announced his retirement from the NFL last Thursday. The linebacker, who won two Rose Bowls while at USC, played seven seasons of professional football with the Cincinnati Bengals (2008-11), New York Giants (2012-13) and the Buffalo Bills (2014). In a heartfelt letter addressed to family, friends, teammates and Trojan fans, Rivers explains his reasons for hanging up his cleats and beginning a new chapter in his life...
"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 recreate success by using the same discipline and work ethic that made me who I am... Keith Rivers."
Click here for Rivers' complete letter.
