Jerry Rice: Football’s Greatest Receiver
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October 13, 1962, Starkville, Mississippi. Jerry Rice was a wide receiver from Mississippi Valley State.
An article on biography.com informs the reader that Jerry Rice earned All-America honors and set 18 Division I-AA records while at Mississippi Valley State. The Pro Football Hall of Fame states that the San Francisco 49ers drafted Rice in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft.
The prolific receiver holds 36 NFL records and has rings from 3 Super Bowl Championships. You can read about one of those records in our September 29th post of the Football History Headlines.
Jerry was not the fastest receiver on the field. Still, his work on the practice field was seldom matched by anyone, and his film study, combined with his natural athletic abilities, created a significant challenge for opposing defenses. One of his biggest attributes was his yards after catch statistics, where he would often turn a short slant pattern catch into a long TD reception. Jerry Rice entered the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006 & the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
Jerry Rice is universally regarded as the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, having redefined the position over his phenomenal 20-season career, primarily with the San Francisco 49ers. He retired holding nearly every major statistical receiving record, including career receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22,895), and receiving touchdowns (197), and his 208 total touchdowns are also an NFL record. Known for his unparalleled work ethic, exceptional route running, and durability, Rice won three Super Bowls with the 49ers, earning Super Bowl XXIII MVP honors, and maintained elite production well into his 40s with the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks. He set a standard for offensive excellence that has yet to be matched.
Jerry Rice Football Accolades and Awards
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee: 2010 (First Ballot)
- 3x Super Bowl Champion: (XXIII, XXIV, XXIX)
- Super Bowl MVP: (XXIII)
- 2x NFL Offensive Player of the Year: (1987, 1993)
- 10x First-team All-Pro: (1986–1990, 1992–1996)
- 13x Pro Bowl Selection: (1986–1996, 1998, 2002)
- NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
- NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
- NFL 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams
- 6x NFL Receiving Yards Leader
- 6x NFL Receiving Touchdowns Leader
- NFL Scoring Leader: (1987)
- San Francisco 49ers Retired Number: No. 80
- College Football Hall of Fame Inductee: 2006 (from Mississippi Valley State)
