Priorities have changed for R.J. Bowers.

The leading rusher in NCAA history is no longer clamoring for another chance in the NFL.

He's no longer seeks an opportunity to prove people wrong. He no longer wants to go to Carolina or Cleveland or Miami - or any other NFL city - and take the pounding a 6-foot-1, 250-pound running back must absorb.

He'd rather focus on the next stage of his life. Instead of trying to break tackles, he'd prefer to break bread with his young family.

"Could I have come back? Most likely," Bowers said. "But things are different now. I have a 26-month-old boy who cries when I leave for work. It's just very important for me to have my priorities."

So Bowers, who smashed every Grove City College rushing record on the books when he played for the school, will announce his retirement from the NFL Sept. 1 after three years, three teams and some pretty good memories in the league.

"In some respect, I still feel like I can play," Bowers said. "I'm 30. I'm not old."

But to come back, Bowers would have to shop his wares to teams in the league all over again. He would also have to overcome two major injuries he suffered last season with Cleveland.

He injured his left knee while squatting during a workout at home before the season. The injury required surgery and the Browns placed him on the non-football injury list.

When he finally was activated Nov. 9, he played long enough against Kansas City to catch a 2-yard touchdown pass.

But in the third quarter against the Chiefs, he tore ligaments in his right ankle when a teammate rolled on his leg.

"It felt like the same thing that happened at Grove City," said Bowers, who suffered a broken leg on a similar play during his junior season with the Wolverines. "I thought I broke my leg again."

He didn't, but the injury ended his season.

The Browns released him on Christmas Eve.

"Oh, yeah, that was real nice," Bowers said. "That about summed up my time there."

But Bowers has little to complain about.

After a failed professional baseball career, he landed at Grove City College, where he rushed for 7,353 yards from 1997 to 2000.

He was signed by Carolina as an undrafted free agent, but was released after the final preseason game.

Bowers, though, was quickly signed to Pittsburgh's practice squad, where he remained until late in the season when injuries to Jerome Bettis and Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala thrust him onto the active roster.

In his first NFL action against Detroit at Heinz Field the day after Christmas in 2001, he rushed for 17 yards on seven carries. Two weeks later - against the Browns - he gained 67 yards on 11 carries, including a 21-yard touchdown run.

Not bad for a guy working on his second professional sport.

"I knew I would be talking about an NFL career, but I didn't know I'd be talking about a three-year career," Bowers said. "In all honesty, making it to the NFL was my goal from Day 1 when I came to Grove City. A lot of people looked at me weird, but I felt like I could play at the highest level."

Bowers' three years in the league will get him a pension when he turns 55.

He has to wait until Sept. 1 to retire officially because of league rules concerning severance pay.

These days, instead of gearing up for training camp, he's working as a sales representative for an area trucking company. He lives with his wife and son in Pulaski in a house they completely renovated.

Bowers, though, is already missing the sport.

"I started working out (Monday)," Bowers said. "I've been on edge. I can tell football season is coming. There's a smell in the air. It's a distinct smell when football season rolls around.

"I don't know if I can watch (NFL games this fall). It might be too hard the first year."

If he changes his mind, Miami is looking for a running back after another retirement - that of Ricky Williams.

"Yeah, that's what people are saying," Bowers said, laughing.

Bowers, like a lot of people, was shocked by Williams' sudden retirement, but at the same time has a unique understanding of what motivated Williams, who has 1,074 fewer collegiate rushing yards than Bowers.

"It's hard to describe to the average person just how demanding the NFL is on your body," Bowers said. "The NFL - it's awesome, but at the same time it takes its toll on you physically and mentally. Just working out is demanding."

But Bowers wouldn't change a thing.

"It was fun," Bowers said. "I enjoyed every minute of it."