On Sunday, September 8th, wide receiver and Super Bowl champion Sidney Rice was named the 2025 Seahawks Legend of the Year. This award is reserved for notable former players of the Seattle Seahawks who, not only made an impact on the field, but continue to make an impact off the field after retiring from the NFL. The accolade aims to recognize successful football players who have found a path after their football career, an often difficult adjustment to make.
Rice’s Achievements
Sidney Rice boasted a successful career as a wide receiver with both the Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks. Born and raised in South Carolina, Rice signed with Seattle as an unrestricted free agent in July of 2011. He then retired ahead of the 2014 season.
In his three seasons with the Seahawks, Rice played 33 games with 31 starts. Putting up an impressive 97 receptions for 1,463 yards and 12 touchdowns, Rice played a significant role in getting the Hawks to the Super Bowl, where they secured the win at Super Bowl XLVIII with the historic 43-8 blowout against the Denver Broncos.
After retiring, Rice remained in the Seattle area where he found success in the wine business. Partnering with Tim Lenihan, the two opened Dossier Wine Collective, and now have two tasting locations in Washington state. One is located in Walla Walla and the other in Woodinville. Despite his success, Rice wasn’t sure what was in store after his NFL career. In a one-on-one interview with Forbes in 2024, Rice spoke about his uncertainty of what came after playing stating,
“Not really, I had no idea. Luckily, I was able to meet a gentleman who became a mentor and got me to invest in some franchises while I was still playing. It’s probably the best move I made. We did that, we brought the first Wing Stops to the state of Washington, which was really cool. Then after that, I really had no idea.”
When the pandemic hit, Rice took to social media where he posted images of wine tastings, resulting in him connecting with his now business partner Lenihan. Together, the two continue to expand Dossier Wine Collective.
Seahawks Legend of the Year
The Seahawks Legend of the Year is an accolade designed to recognize previous players after retirement. This award focuses on community involvement and impactful endeavors. While playing for the Seahawks, Rice was one of the most respected players on the team, well-known and well-liked for his determination and positive attitude.
Since retiring,Rice has maintained a heavy presence in and around positive programs in sports and the Seattle area. Including participating in Crucial Catch events, a program designed to help people catch cancer early while addressing the burden of cancer in under-resourced areas.
Rice is also involved in community initiatives like Legends Holiday events and charity golf tournaments. This includes supporting the Seahawks Classic Golf Tournament. Here, all proceeds go to the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in support of immune disorders.
Previous Seahawks Legends of the Year:
- Jacob Green, 2019
- Cliff Avril, 2020
- Doug Baldwin, 2021
- Michael Bennett, 2022
- Randall Morris, 2023
- Jermaine Kearse, 2024
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