Super Bowl winners Sidney Rice and Steve Weatherford will donate their brains to medical research following their deaths . New York Giants punter Weatherford and former Seattle Seahawks receiver Rice hope to help scientists see the effects of concussions as they study brain injuries . Speaking on 'Fox and Friends ' , Rice reckoned he had eight to 10 concussions during his NFL career , with the first coming as an eight-year-old . 'It was the first time I ever saw stars , aside from the cartoon shows . ' Sidney Rice ( left ) , Dr Jeffry Stock and Steve Weatherford ( right ) during Brain Injury Awareness Month Benefit . After winning the Super Bowl in 2014 , Rice retired at the age of 27 due to fears over his long-term health . Since his rookie year in 2007 , Rice said head injures were being taken more seriously , but admitted the culture is a tough one to change . 'It ’ s just the way we ’ re brought up . I guess it ’ s the culture , ' Rice said . 'You feel like you have to be out there on the field . It ’ s the competition that ’ s instilled in you . You love it , you want to be out there , but it ’ s very important that you pay attention to what goes on when you get a concussion . ' 'There are a lot of issues that stem from brain injuries and it 's not just professional athletes . This affects everybody , ' Weatherford said . ' A lot of my team-mates and a lot of close friends have dealt with concussions and the depression that comes with that , ' he added . More than 4,500 former players are suing the NFL over head injuries suffered during their careers . They are nearing to a settlement worth about $ 1billion ( £655m ) .
Rice and Weatherford joined a list of players who will donate their brains . The pair made the announcement at a press conference in celebration of NFL . Brain Injury Awareness Month players officially registered 111 concussions during the 2014 regular season , down from 148 in 2013 . The Brain Injury Awareness Month is close to finalizing a $ 1bn settlement with roughly 4,500 former professional football players over brain-related injuries .