NFL
Terrell Davis announces retirement
By The Source
Aug 10, 2004

Denver, CO (Sports Network) - The Denver Broncos announced Monday that running back Terrell Davis has officially retired from the NFL.

Davis was placed on injured reserve before the 2002 season and missed the whole year due to various injuries in his knees. Prior to last season, Davis told the Broncos that his knees were not strong enough to pass a physical and he was then waived shortly after.

The 31-year-old Davis rushed for 7,607 yards in seven seasons after being drafted in the sixth round out of Georgia. He suffered, though, from a degenerative condition in his left knee that doctors could not guarantee would get better, which caused his premature retirement.

In the 2001 season, which turned out to be Davis' last, he was the Broncos' leading rusher as he gained 701 yards on 167 carries, averaging 4.2 yards per attempt.

In 1997, Davis set franchise records for rushing yards in a season (1,750), rushing touchdowns (15) and most 100-yard performances (10). He was even better in the playoffs, as the Pro Bowl back registered 581 rushing yards and eight TDs in four post-season games. He capped the campaign by earning Super Bowl XXXII MVP honors. Only Washington's John Riggins (610 in 1982) gained more yards on the ground in one postseason than Davis.

Davis' claim to greatness was accentuated the following year. Davis rushed for a career-high 2,008 yards and 21 touchdowns en route to a league MVP award and a second consecutive Super Bowl championship. Only five men, including Davis, have surpassed the magical 2,000-yard mark in the history of the NFL -- Eric Dickerson (2,105 in 1984), Jamal Lewis (2,066 in 2003), Barry Sanders (2,053 in 1997) and O.J. Simpson (2,003 in 1973).

For his career, Davis scored 60 touchdowns in 78 games for the Broncos. However, he was limited to just 17 contests over his final three seasons.