Keyshawn Johnson announced Wednesday he's retiring from football and has signed a multiple-year deal to become an ESPN analyst.

"I've lived my dream," said Johnson, the former USC star who was one of two receivers drafted first overall. "Now, I'm going to live another dream."

He made the announcement during a news conference at USC's Heritage Hall.

Johnson, 34, spent his final season with the Carolina Panthers, catching 70 passes for 815 yards with four touchdowns. He was released by the team a few days after it used a second-round pick on USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett, who has been compared to a younger Johnson.

Johnson said he received subsequent offers from Oakland, New England and Tennessee but decided to call it a career. His agent, Jerome Stanley, said the offer from the Titans was for two years and "close to $8 million," but that Johnson will be "at the forefront" at both ESPN and ABC and is being considered for "Dancing With the Stars" and as a fill-in for Regis Philbin.

Johnson will face another challenge: being candid and unflinching in his analysis of current NFL players and prospects.

"You tell it like you see it," he said. "You're not trying to bury a guy or hurt a guy's career. I'm not going to get into that. That's not my deal."

He won't be shy about ruffling some feathers, however. For instance, asked Wednesday to identify one of the league's more overrated players, he didn't hesitate.

"Tony Romo: over-hyped," he said, referring to a player many perceive to be among the NFL's best up-and-coming quarterbacks. "He's with the Dallas Cowboys. He's played five games [10 starts last season, actually]. That's an over-hyped deal."

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