in 1998, he signed a five-year, $21 million contract with the oilers, which at the time was the highest known contract ever signed among wide receivers. he went on to play with them for the final three seasons of his career, assisting the team (now known as the titans) to super bowl xxxiv in the 1999 season. such a large contract for a wide receiver was a signal of the role which wide receivers would begin to play in the nfl. thigpen retired after the 2000 season with 313 career receptions for 5,081 yards and 30 touchdowns. he also rushed for four yards, returned two punts for 30 yards, and gained 188 yards on eight kickoff returns.