Bruce plays cameo role in return to St. Louis

~ The former Rams star suited up for possibly his final NFL game

ST. LOUIS -- Isaac Bruce got a ceremonial start in the San Francisco 49ers' finale, lining up for the first snap before jumping and bumping with a teammate and trotting off the field.

The 37-year-old Bruce was active for the first time in six weeks Sunday, giving him a chance to possibly conclude his career in the city where he was a four-time Pro Bowler.

Bruce said during the practice week there was a "75 percent" probability he would retire. He caught the winning touchdown pass in the Rams' lone Super Bowl championship after the 1999 season.

Bruce untucked his jersey and removed tape shortly after the play, then stood on the sideline and watched in what could be the end for one of the smoothest wide receivers of this generation.

"It means a lot. I think I was more into it for my fellow wide receivers," Bruce said. "It's what they wanted and I like making them happy, so I went in and did it."

San Francisco coach Mike Singletary agreed to let Bruce get the ceremonial start.

"I just wanted him to know something he already knows, and that is I really appreciate him," Singletary said. "He's a tremendous player. It's not often you find a player that's a Hall of Fame type player and at the same time his character far exceeds the type of player he is."

Before the game, fans chanted his last name in elongated fashion, as they did when he was with the Rams, where he played 14 seasons with two Super Bowl appearances and four Pro Bowl bids.

Of course, Bruce caught the winning touchdown pass from Kurt Warner in the 2000 Super Bowl and forever owns a place in the hearts of St. Louis fans.

Near the end of the game, the image of Bruce on the sidelines was put on the video boards and the crowd again chanted his name. Bruce waved to the fans.

"I was truly touched," Bruce said. "I spent a lot of years here and just for them to recognize me in that manner, I thought it was awesome. I can control my emotions. If I was going to cry, it nearly came but it didn't come all the way out. But I was touched; I was truly touched by the gesture."

Bruce began the season as a starter for San Francisco, his home these past two seasons. He caught four passes for 74 yards in the season-opening upset of Arizona.

However, with the signing of Michael Crabtree in October, Bruce's playing time diminished. He sprained an ankle Nov. 8 in a game against Tennessee and played just one game after that until Sunday.

Known for his precise route-running and tireless work ethic, the productive Bruce ranks No. 2 in career receiving yards (15,208), fifth in career receptions (1,024) and ninth in career TDs (91).

Will he retire?

"Who knows?" Bruce said. "You'll know soon."