April 29, 2005
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Riptide of the af2 indoor football league will retire the jersey number of former San Diego State standout Rico Curtis during halftime ceremonies of Saturday's game versus the Amarillo Dusters. He will be first player in the Riptide's three-year history to receive this honor.
Curtis, who played defensive back for the Aztecs from 1996-1999, led the team with 89 tackles in 1998. The four-year letterwinner finished with 355 career tackles, the third-highest total in school history.
Following his senior season in 1999, Curtis received the John Simcox Memorial Trophy presented annually to the team's most valuable player. He was also invited to play in the Hula Bowl postseason all-star game.
In 1997, Curtis was voted Most Valuable Special Teams Player and shared the Most Improved Player award that year with Jesus Reyes. He was also a four-time winner of the Byron Chase Memorial Trophy from 1996-1999, which honors the team's top offensive and defensive players.
Curtis was the first player signed by the Riptide after its inception in 2002 and played linebacker and wide receiver. The San Diego native will remain with the franchise as an assistant coach and will serve as the team's Community Outreach and Player Personnel Coordinator.