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{{Short description|American football player (born 1962)}} | |||
] | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} | |||
'''Jerry Lee Rice''' (born ], ] in ]) is a former ] ] in the ], widely regarded as the best receiver to play the game, and arguably one of the greatest football players ever. He captured three ] rings as a wideout for the ], and also played for the ] and ]. He made the ] roster in the summer of 2005, hanging up his shoes shortly before the 2005 season. | |||
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{{good article}} | |||
{{Use American English|date=December 2019}} | |||
{{Infobox NFL biography | |||
| name = Jerry Rice | |||
| image = Super Bowl 44 Miami Florida NFL Network South Beach Set Deon Sanders interviews Jerry Rice (4331549867) (cropped) - Jerry Rice.jpg | |||
| image_size = 200px | |||
| alt = Rice at the 2016 Pro Bowl | |||
| caption = Rice in 2010 | |||
| number = 80 | |||
| position = ] | |||
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1962|10|13|mf=y}} | |||
| birth_place = ], U.S. | |||
| death_date = | |||
| death_place = | |||
| height_ft = 6 | |||
| height_in = 2 | |||
| weight_lb = 200 | |||
| high_school = ] <br> (]) | |||
| college = ] (1981–1984) | |||
| draftyear = 1985 | |||
| draftround = 1 | |||
| draftpick = 16 | |||
| pastteams = | |||
* ] ({{NFL Year|1985|2000}}) | |||
* ] ({{NFL Year|2001|2004}}) | |||
* ] ({{NFL Year|2004}}) | |||
* ] ({{NFL Year|2005}})* | |||
| highlights = | |||
* 3× ] (], ], ]) | |||
* ] (]) | |||
* 2× ] (1987, 1993) | |||
* 10× First-team ] (]–], ]–]) | |||
* Second-team All-Pro (]) | |||
* 13× ] (]–], ], ]) | |||
* 2× ] (1990, 1996) | |||
* 6× ] (1986, 1989, 1990, 1993–1995) | |||
* 6× ] (1986, 1987, 1989–1991, 1993) | |||
* ] ({{nfly|1987}}) | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] (1987) | |||
* ] (]) | |||
* ] | |||
* ] retired | |||
* 2× First-team ] ] (1983, 1984) | |||
;NFL records | |||
* ]: 1,549 | |||
* ]: 22,895 | |||
*]: 2,245 | |||
* Games with 100+ receiving yards: 76<ref>, StatMuse</ref> | |||
* Games with 100+ receiving yards in the playoffs: 8 (tied with ])<ref>, StatMuse</ref> | |||
* ]: 197 | |||
* ]: 22 | |||
* Career total touchdowns: 208<ref>{{Cite web |title=Most Total Touchdowns By A Player In NFL History |url=https://www.statmuse.com/e/m/radkIFmy0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241107072417/https://www.statmuse.com/e/m/radkIFmy0 |archive-date=November 7, 2024 |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
* Career total touchdowns in the playoffs: 22<ref>, StatMuse</ref> | |||
* ]: 23,546<ref>, StatMuse</ref> | |||
* Career all-purpose yards in the playoffs: 2,289<ref>, StatMuse</ref> | |||
* Most career Super Bowl receptions: 33<ref>{{Cite web |title=Most career receptions in the Super Bowl by a player in NFL history |url=https://statm.us/e/m/I431tbgup |access-date=March 19, 2024 |website=StatMuse |language=en}}</ref> | |||
| statlabel1 = ] | |||
| statvalue1 = 1,549 | |||
| statlabel2 = ] | |||
| statvalue2 = 22,895 | |||
| statlabel3 = ] | |||
| statvalue3 = 197 | |||
| pfr = R/RiceJe00 | |||
| HOF = jerry-rice | |||
| CollegeHOF = 2171 | |||
}} | |||
'''Jerry Lee Rice''' (born October 13, 1962)<ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-1" /> is an American former professional ] ] who played for 20 seasons in the ] (NFL). He won three ] titles with the ] before two shorter stints at the end of his career with the ] and ]. For his accomplishments and numerous records, Rice is widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver of all time and one of the greatest players in NFL history.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=sando_mike&id=3309223 |title=Start with Rice No. 1, Moss No. 2 in best WR debate |last=Sando |first=Mike |date=March 26, 2008 |website=] |access-date=December 27, 2019 |archive-date=January 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109091556/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=sando_mike&id=3309223 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/13874/the-case-for-rice-as-the-greatest-ever |title=The case for Rice as the greatest ever |last=Sando |first=Mike |date=February 4, 2010 |website=] |access-date=December 27, 2019 |archive-date=December 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227140012/https://www.espn.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/13874/the-case-for-rice-as-the-greatest-ever |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nflcdn.com/halloffame/story/0ap1000000221587/article/joe-montana-jim-brown-on-hall-of-fame-50th-anniversary-team |title=Joe Montana, Jim Brown on Hall of Fame 50th Anniversary Team |last=Harrison |first=Elliot |date=July 29, 2013 |website=NFL.com |access-date=February 21, 2017 |quote=Considered by many ... to be the NFL's greatest player |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201185923/http://www.nflcdn.com/halloffame/story/0ap1000000221587/article/joe-montana-jim-brown-on-hall-of-fame-50th-anniversary-team |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> His biography on the official ] website names him "the most prolific wide receiver in NFL history with staggering career totals".<ref name="pfhof">{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/players/jerry-rice/ |access-date=June 3, 2022 |website=Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site |language=en |archive-date=May 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519235825/https://www.profootballhof.com/players/jerry-rice |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1999, '']'' listed Rice second behind ] on its list of "Football's 100 Greatest Players".<ref name="SN100">{{Cite news |last=Matthews |first=Bob |date=August 15, 1999 |title=Sporting News Top 100 Football Players |page=3D |work=Democrat and Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4376402/sporting_news_top_100_football_players/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116023025/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4376402/sporting_news_top_100_football_players/ |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 2010, he was chosen by ]'s ] production '']'' as the greatest player in NFL history.<ref name="Barall-2010" /> | |||
He is the holder of 38 ] records, a record in itself. Rice has scored the most ]s in NFL history, and holds virtually every significant career record for receivers, including receptions (1,549), yards receiving (22,895), all-purpose yards (23,540), touchdown receptions (197), and consecutive games with at least one catch (274). In most cases, the next most prolific player isn't close; for example, he's 67 receiving touchdowns ahead of #2 ], who is also retired. He is the only one of the top 25 scorers in NFL history who didn't kick the football.. | |||
Rice played ] for four seasons with the ], setting several ] (NCAA) and team receiving records, including becoming the all-time leader in NCAA receiving touchdowns. He joined the 49ers after being selected with the 16th overall pick of the ]. After a modest rookie season, Rice emerged in the following season as one of the best receivers in the league, leading the NFL in receiving yards and touchdowns, a feat he achieved four times. In 1987, Rice set the record for most receiving touchdowns in a season, with 22, in a twelve-game strike-shortened season. He won back-to-back championships in ] and ], and was the MVP of the former championship. Rice developed connections with quarterbacks ] and ] that are viewed as among the best in NFL history, helping him lead the league in both receiving yards and touchdowns six times, and in receptions twice.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Santorsa |first=Tony |date=December 7, 2011 |title=NFL History: Top 50 QB-WR Tandems of All-Time |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/972343-top-50-qb-wr-tandems-in-nfl-history |access-date=June 3, 2022 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en |archive-date=June 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603183939/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/972343-top-50-qb-wr-tandems-in-nfl-history |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
==Early life== | |||
Jerry Rice grew up in ], the son of a brick ]. He developed his hands while working for his father by catching bricks that his brothers threw at him. Rice later recalled that working for his father also taught him "the meaning of hard work." His speed also helped him excel in football in high school. | |||
Going into the 1990s, Rice won a third Super Bowl in ], and a second Offensive Player of the Year Award. After recovering from a knee injury and his play regressing, San Francisco released him in June 2001, where the Raiders would sign him to a four-year deal. He continued to start for the team, and helped lead them to an appearance in ], where they were defeated by the ], affecting Rice's previously unblemished Super Bowl record. Midway through 2004, the Raiders traded him to the Seahawks, where he spent his final season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 19, 2004 |title=Raiders agree: Rice to Seattle |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=1904779 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626191129/http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=1904779 |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |access-date=August 13, 2022 |website=] |language=en |agency=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cour |first=Jim |date=October 20, 2004 |title=Rice's trade to Seahawks reunites star wide receiver with Holmgren |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2004/oct/20/rices-trade-to-seahawks-reunites-star-wide/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814011946/https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2004/oct/20/rices-trade-to-seahawks-reunites-star-wide/ |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |access-date=August 13, 2022 |website=The Spokesman-Review |agency=]}}</ref> He briefly signed with the Broncos, retiring shortly before the start of the 2005 season. | |||
Rice attended ], becoming a standout on the football team. He acquired the nickname ''World'', because there wasn't a ball in the world he couldn't catch. In college, he had a total of 51 ] catches and averaged 10 catches per game in ] - the season where Mississippi Valley State averaged over 59 points per game. In that same season, he was named an ] All-American. The school later named its football stadium ] in honor of Jerry Rice and ] ] who threw Rice his many touchdown passes at MVSU. | |||
Rice is the career leader in most major statistical categories for wide receivers,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/indiv/receiving |title=Individual Records: Receiving |website=NFL.com |access-date=April 24, 2011 |archive-date=October 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015205829/http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/indiv/receiving |url-status=live }}</ref> including ]s, receiving ]s, receiving yards, scrimmage yards, and total touchdowns, holding the postseason records for these statistics, and once held the single-season records for yards and touchdowns. He scored more points than any other non-] in NFL history with 1,256.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/scoring_career.htm |title=NFL Points Scored Career Leaders |website=] |language=en |access-date=October 29, 2018 |archive-date=November 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125132126/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/scoring_career.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice was selected to the ] 13 times (1986–1996, 1998, 2002) and named All-Pro twelve times in his 20 NFL seasons, including ten First-team All-Pros, tied for the most by any player. Rice was inducted into the ] in 2010 and the ] in 2006. Rice was inducted into the ] in 2007, and in the same year was inducted into the ]. The NFL honored him as a member of the ] and the ], as well as both the ] and ]. | |||
== Early life == | |||
Jerry Lee Rice Sr. was born on October 13, 1962, in ],<ref name=pfhof/> and lived in ], the sixth of eight children.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=13}} Crawford was a small town, having only 600 residents.<ref name="Dickey-1993">{{Cite book |last=Dickey |first=Glenn |url=https://archive.org/details/sportsgreatjerry00dick/page/18/mode/2up?q=father&view=theater |title=Sports Great Jerry Rice |publisher=] |year=1993 |isbn=9780894904196 |location=New Jersey |pages=13, 17, 18, 23 |language=English |url-access=registration}}</ref> Rice's father, Joe, was a brick mason who built houses by hand, while holding other jobs to provide for the family.{{Sfn|Rice & Curtis|2007|p=5}} Joe was described by Rice as "a tough man" and held him and his siblings to a strict lifestyle.<ref name="NFL Network-2014">{{Cite episode |title=Jerry Rice |series=A Football Life |series-link=A Football Life |network=NFL Network |date=January 28, 2014}}</ref> Eddie B., Rice's mother, raised Rice while Joe was working, and after Rice left cleaned the houses of wealthy families.{{Sfn|Rice & Curtis|2007|p=31}} Rice and his brothers often worked with their father building houses, catching bricks on top of scaffolds to make sure his father had bricks to lay.<ref name="NFL Network-2014"/> He did not see bricklaying as his future, later saying that "it taught me the meaning of hard work."<ref name="Grabowski-2002">{{Cite book |last=Grabowski |first=John |url=https://archive.org/details/sanfrancisco49er0000grab_z7r8/page/84/mode/2up?q=rice |title=The San Francisco 49ers |publisher=] |year=2002 |isbn=1560069473 |location=San Diego, CA |pages=84, 85, 86, 87 |language=English |url-access=registration}}</ref> The Rice family struggled financially, with Rice sometimes not having many pairs of clothing or having a "hearty meal on the table".{{Sfn|Rice & Curtis|2007|p=7}} To provide for his family, he and his brothers picked corn, cotton, carrots, and hay.{{Sfn|Rice & Curtis|2007|p=8}} Rice asserted that he was shy as a child, and had few friends.{{Sfn|Rice & Curtis|2007|p=10}} | |||
Rice attended ] in ]. Although he played mock games of ] and football, Rice initially played no sports in high school.{{Sfn|Rice & Curtis|2007|pp=10, 11}} He enjoyed playing ] and watching football on television. His mother didn't allow him to join the school's football team in his freshman year, as she thought that football was "too rough" for Rice.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=18}} While Rice was a sophomore, the school's assistant principal caught him skipping class with a friend, causing him to panic and sprint away. After Rice fled, the principal was impressed with his speed, and informed the school's football coach, Charles Davis, who offered Rice a place on the team.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=18}} Initially unhappy about this, Rice's mother relented after realizing that "the more I fought it, the more determined he was, so I gave it up."{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=18}} Rice played ] as a ] and was on the ] team, competing in the ].{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=19}} Rice played multiple positions in high school, including ], ] and ]. The position he was most skilled at, however, was ].<ref name="Dickey-1993" /> During the off-season before his junior year, Rice increased his training; running several miles back to his house because he didn't have a ride.{{Sfn|Rice & Curtis|2007|p=15}} Rice had a breakout junior season, primarily playing wide receiver and defensive back.{{Sfn|Rice & Curtis|2007|p=15}} | |||
Rice was a Mississippi All-State selection at wide receiver in his senior year. Due to the small size of Moor, few of his statistics were officially recorded.<ref name="Grabowski-2002" /> According to sports journalist Glenn Dickey, Rice caught 50 receptions and 30 touchdowns as a senior, helping to lead the team to a {{abbr|17–2|17 wins, 2 losses}} record over his final two seasons.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=18}}<ref name="Dickey-1993" /> He and Moor's starting quarterback, Willie Gillespie, were very dependable, enough for them to be nicknamed ] and ].<ref name="Dickey-1993" /> Rice initially wanted to go to ], but the team wasn't interested in Rice. Mississippi State was one of over 40 ] schools that contacted him, but did not offer a scholarship.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=23}} He was drawn to ], in part because the school's coach, ], ran a pass-heavy offense—enough that Cooley was nicknamed "The Gunslinger."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jenks |first=Jayson |date=December 1, 2020 |title=How the no-huddle offense evolved via tweakers, tinkerers — and The Gunslinger |url=https://theathletic.com/2190190/2020/12/01/how-the-no-huddle-offense-evolved-via-tweakers-tinkerers-and-the-gunslinger/ |access-date=March 14, 2022 |website=The Athletic |language=en |archive-date=March 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315011931/https://theathletic.com/2190190/2020/12/01/how-the-no-huddle-offense-evolved-via-tweakers-tinkerers-and-the-gunslinger/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After Cooley watched him play in person and after he visited the school's campus, Rice committed to playing at Mississippi Valley State.{{Sfn|Rice & Curtis|2007|p=20-21}} | |||
==College career== | |||
Rice attended ] from 1981 to 1984.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 20, 2015 |title=FWAA Names MVSU's Jerry Rice To 75th Anniversary All-America Team |url=https://hbcusports.com/2015/08/20/fwaa-names-mvsus-jerry-rice-to-75th-anniversary-all-america-team/ |access-date=April 15, 2023 |website=HBCU Sports |language=en-US |archive-date=April 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415232331/https://hbcusports.com/2015/08/20/fwaa-names-mvsus-jerry-rice-to-75th-anniversary-all-america-team/ |url-status=live }}</ref> When Rice arrived at Mississippi Valley State, he attended summer school and freshman orientation before the regular season. Two of his former teammates from B.L. Moor were there as well, but both left before the start of training camp.{{Sfn|Rice & Curtis|2007|p=22–23}} Rice studied receiving techniques from ], stating: "I soaked up everything I could."{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=27}} | |||
In 1981, Rice's freshman season, he caught 30 passes for 428 yards and two touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pierron |first=Jeff |date=December 16, 1984 |title=Rice ready to reap football dividends |page=14 |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/249366415/?terms=%22jerry%20rice%22%20%22428%22&match=1 |access-date=June 11, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=June 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612015731/https://www.newspapers.com/image/249366415/?terms=%22jerry%20rice%22%20%22428%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1982, Rice played his first season with freshman ] ].<ref name="Gardner">{{cite news |last1=Gardner |first1=Sam |date=October 21, 2014 |title=Jerry Rice, Valley lit up scoreboards 30 years ago |work=Fox Sports |url=http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/jerry-rice-mississippi-valley-lit-up-scoreboards-30-years-ago-102114 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523024740/http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/jerry-rice-mississippi-valley-lit-up-scoreboards-30-years-ago-102114 |archive-date=May 23, 2016}}</ref> They became friends and practiced into the evening.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=27–28}} Under the direction of Cooley, Mississippi Valley State ran an "unusual" offense, playing four wide receivers who tended to line up on one side of the field.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=28}} Rice caught 66 passes for 1,133 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore that year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Potter |first=Jerry |date=November 16, 1982 |title=Jackson State, Valley, dominate All-SW AC selections |pages=2C |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/183591347/?terms=jerry%20rice%20%221%2C133%22&match=1 |access-date=June 5, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605062321/https://www.newspapers.com/image/183591347/?terms=jerry%20rice%20%221,133%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Together, Totten and Rice became known as "The Satellite Express."{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=27–28}} Success on the field did not put any money in his pocket, and many times he relied on friends for food, stating that the food given to him at Mississippi Valley "were not enough for a growing man".{{Sfn|Rice & Curtis|2007|p=24}} | |||
Rice had a record-setting 1983 campaign, including NCAA marks for receptions (102) and receiving yards (1,450). He was named a first-team Division I-AA ].<ref name="Nissenson-1983">{{cite news|last1=Nissenson|first1=Herschel|title=Idaho Star Leads AP Team|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9992991/idaho_star_leads_ap_team/|access-date=April 2, 2017|work=Daily Sitka Sentinel|agency=]|date=December 28, 1983|page=5|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=April 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403111427/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9992991/idaho_star_leads_ap_team/|url-status=live}}</ref> He set a single-game NCAA record with 24 receptions against ]. He acquired the nickname "World," because of his ability to seemingly catch anything thrown near him.<ref name="Gardner" /> | |||
After an August practice experiment, Cooley had Totten call all the plays at the ], resulting in even more staggering offensive numbers.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=28}} Rice caught 17 receptions for 199 yards against Southern, 17 receptions for 294 yards, and five receiving touchdowns against ], and 15 for 285 yards against ].{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=30}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 2, 1984 |title=NCAA Division I-AA Individual Game Highs for 1984 season |pages=31 |work=Democrat and Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97814691/ncaa-division-i-aa-individual-game/ |access-date=March 17, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317201811/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97814691/ncaa-division-i-aa-individual-game/ |url-status=live }}</ref> During the game against Kentucky State, Rice caught twelve passes and scored three touchdowns in a single quarter.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=30}} As a senior in 1984, he surpassed his own Division I-AA records for receiving yards (1,845), and receptions (112); his 27 touchdown receptions in the 1984 season set the NCAA record for every division.<ref name="Gardner" /> The 1984 Delta Devils averaged more than 60 points per game.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=29}} Rice was named to the Division I-AA All-American team and finished ninth in ] balloting in 1984.<ref name="Services-1984">{{Cite news |date=December 27, 1984 |title=Knox wins UPI award |pages=2B |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/631254363/?terms=jerry%20rice%20mississippi%20valley%20state&match=1 |access-date=March 17, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317201758/https://www.newspapers.com/image/631254363/?terms=jerry%20rice%20mississippi%20valley%20state&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1984 Heisman Trophy Voting |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-1984.html |access-date=March 15, 2022 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en |archive-date=December 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212172803/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-1984.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In the ] all-star game played on Christmas Day, he earned MVP honors after four receptions for 101 yards and a 60-yard touchdown.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gray boots Blue in all-star showcase|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9992484/gray_boots_blue_in_allstar_showcase/|access-date=April 2, 2017|work=New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung|agency=]|date=December 26, 1984|page=5|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=April 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403194708/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9992484/gray_boots_blue_in_allstar_showcase/|url-status=live}}</ref> He finished his career with 301 catches for 4,693 yards and 50 touchdowns, (although some sources have his numbers as 310 receptions, 4,856 receiving yards, and 51 touchdowns); his NCAA record for total career touchdown receptions stood until 2006 when ] wide receiver ] recorded his 51st career receiving touchdown.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=30}} Rice's all-division NCAA record for total career receptions stood until 1999 when ] of ] ] logged his 302nd career reception.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bonesteel |first=Matt |date=September 9, 1999 |title=Division III Receiver Catches, Passes Rice |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/09/09/division-iii-receiver-catches-passes-rice/333e807f-aff7-4028-a867-208fe8c88a9f/ |access-date=August 20, 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Simon |first=Mark |date=September 14, 1999 |title=An open letter to Jerry Rice |url=https://www.d3football.com/notables/1999/an-open-letter-to-jerry-rice |access-date=September 5, 2022 |website=d3football.com |archive-date=July 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716083324/https://www.d3football.com/notables/1999/an-open-letter-to-jerry-rice |url-status=live }}</ref> By the end of his college career, he had broken 18 NCAA records.<ref name="NFL Network-2014"/> Rice became a member of the ] fraternity at the Delta Phi chapter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Notable Sigmas |url=http://www.pbsad.org/notable-sigmas.html |access-date=September 5, 2022 |website=www.pbsad.org |language=en |archive-date=September 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905222316/http://www.pbsad.org/notable-sigmas.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1999, the school renamed its football stadium from Magnolia Stadium to ] in honor of the players.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Burrus |first=Bill |date=March 26, 2000 |title=Valley renames stadium |pages=8A |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=81721661&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjI0MzUxNzQ5MSwiaWF0IjoxNjQ3MzA2NDAzLCJleHAiOjE2NDczOTI4MDN9.wv1N8wV4iTg_pegIFa93MOoeZdSO9U5mrK3RyLwzXt4 |access-date=March 14, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315011938/https://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=81721661&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjI0MzUxNzQ5MSwiaWF0IjoxNjQ3MzA2NDAzLCJleHAiOjE2NDczOTI4MDN9.wv1N8wV4iTg_pegIFa93MOoeZdSO9U5mrK3RyLwzXt4 |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice was inducted into the ] in 2006, and was in the inaugural class of the ] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=All Inductees|website=BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org|url=https://www.blackcollegefootballhof.org/inductees/alphabetical|access-date=February 25, 2021|archive-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202222806/https://www.blackcollegefootballhof.org/inductees/alphabetical|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Timanus |first=Eddie |title=I-AA feats give Rice call to College Football Hall of Fame |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2006-08-09-rice-hall-of-fame_x.htm |access-date=April 2, 2017 |work=USA Today |date=August 9, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322045956/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2006-08-09-rice-hall-of-fame_x.htm |archive-date=March 22, 2016 }}</ref> | |||
During this time, Rice met Jackie Mitchell at an MVS basketball game, while she was still in high school. Rice eventually approached her, and they dated casually before Rice met her mother.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Newhouse |first=Dave |date=October 30, 1994 |title=Jackie and Jerry Rice are a team |page=1B |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/565783979/?terms=%22jerry%20rice%22%20%22jackie%20mitchell%22&match=1 |access-date=June 12, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=June 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612015731/https://www.newspapers.com/image/565783979/?terms=%22jerry%20rice%22%20%22jackie%20mitchell%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Her mother was initially unhappy about Rice and preferred that Mitchell see another boy that lived in ], but after meeting Rice in person she approved of him.{{Sfn|Rice & Curtis|2007|pp=27–28}} | |||
==Professional career== | ==Professional career== | ||
Despite attending an NCAA Division III school, 49ers headcoach ] noticed Rice's potential and extreme work ethic and drafted him as the 16th pick in the first round of the 1985 NFL draft, dismissing scouting reports that his prospect was too slow to play the pro game. Rice struggled in his rookie season with the 49ers as he learned their innovative West Coast system, but in the ] season, he caught 86 passes and led the league in receiving yards (1,570) and receiving touchdowns (15). The next season, he set the NFL record for touchdown receptions with 22, a feat made even more astonishing because the season was shortened due to a players' strike. By the late 1980's, Rice had become one of the biggest receiving threats in the NFL, teaming with quarterback ] and later his successor ]. Those tandems helped the 49ers win three ]s in Super Bowls ], ] and ]. | |||
===San Francisco 49ers (1985–2000)=== | |||
Following 11 consecutive ], 1,000 yard receiving seasons, Rice missed virtually the entire 1997 NFL season after he sustained a torn ACL in the 49ers' opening game. Rice returned to Pro Bowl form in 1998, but then endured two modest years in 1999 and 2000, the 49ers' only losing seasons during Rice's tenure, as teammate ] emerged as the team's top receiver. | |||
Rice's record-breaking season at Mississippi Valley State caught the attention of NFL scouts. Sources vary on his 40-yard dash time, which was measured between 4.45 and 4.71 seconds.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Tom |date=January 3, 1985 |title=Stallions Grab Speedster Jerry Rice in First Pick of USFL Open Draft |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19850103&id=904gAAAAIBAJ&pg=1528,597545&hl=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425171946/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19850103&id=904gAAAAIBAJ&pg=1528%2C597545&hl=en |archive-date=April 25, 2021 |access-date=September 8, 2019 |website=Google News Archives |publisher=Times Daily}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Jones|first1=Jonathan|title=The Longest 40 Yards: How a short sprint became the combine's marquee event|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/02/23/40-yard-dash-times-nfl-combine-history|access-date=December 12, 2017|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=February 23, 2017|archive-date=March 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319023610/http://www.si.com/nfl/2017/02/23/40-yard-dash-times-nfl-combine-history|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 18, 2014 |title=Meet the man NFL players love to hate |url=https://nypost.com/2014/08/18/meet-the-man-nfl-players-love-to-hate/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727230956/https://nypost.com/2014/08/18/meet-the-man-nfl-players-love-to-hate/ |archive-date=July 27, 2021 |access-date=June 9, 2022 |website=New York Post |language=en-US |agency=]}}</ref> Both the ] and ] showed interest in him.{{sfn|Maiocco|2011|p=184}} San Francisco had won two out of the previous four Super Bowls prior to the draft. Rice later wrote in ''Go Long!'' that he was unsure about what success he might have in the league, and that he would "often play head games" with himself; his backup plan if his football career didn't pan out was fixing electronics.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=34}} In a 2022 interview with Fox News Digital, Rice expressed his doubts about being drafted at the time: "To be honest, I never thought I was going to get drafted, I downplayed everything because I didn't want that disappointment of getting up here and then come down in disappointment if it didn't happen".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gaydos |first=Ryan |date=April 18, 2022 |title=Jerry Rice recalls NFL Draft worries: 'I never thought I was going to get drafted' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/jerry-rice-recalls-worries-nfl-draft-49ers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812181734/https://www.foxnews.com/sports/jerry-rice-recalls-worries-nfl-draft-49ers |archive-date=August 12, 2022 |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
In the first round of the ], Dallas had the No. 17 selection and San Francisco, as Super Bowl champion from the previous season, had the last. 49ers coach ] sought Rice after seeing television highlights of his college performances.<ref name="Dickey-1993" /> Walsh "saw the deep-threat the 49ers lacked ... a player who could break open a game with one play."<ref name="Grabowski-2002" /> The 49ers traded their first, second, and third-round picks for the ]' first and third-round picks.<ref name="Wilstein-1985">{{Cite news |last=Wilstein |first=Steve |date=May 1, 1985 |title=The '85 Draft, 49ers hook trophy-size receiver |via=Newspapers.com |pages=E1 |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/692045145/?terms=jerry%20rice%20mississippi%20valley%20state&match=1 |access-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317201810/https://www.newspapers.com/image/692045145/?terms=jerry%20rice%20mississippi%20valley%20state&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> The 49ers had the No. 16 selection overall and ] Rice before the Cowboys had a chance.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dunkin |first=Dan |date=May 1, 1985 |title=Linemen the top priority on draft day |via=Newspapers.com |pages=22 |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/106124391/?terms=jerry%20rice%20mississippi%20valley%20state&match=1 |access-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317201808/https://www.newspapers.com/image/106124391/?terms=jerry%20rice%20mississippi%20valley%20state&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Walsh described Rice as "a swift, smooth player who's got great instincts running with the ball, going to the ball and catching in a crowd."<ref name="Wilstein-1985" /> Rice was selected by the ] (USFL), where the ] selected him with the No. 1 overall pick of the ], but the league folded after its 1986 season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Girardeau |first=Cape |date=January 6, 1985 |title=Rice top USFL draft selection for Stallions |via=Google News |pages=2B |work=] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=191&dat=19850106&id=BLUuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=li4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6532,434092 |access-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317201757/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=191&dat=19850106&id=BLUuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=li4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6532,434092 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bender |first=Bill |date=April 14, 2022 |title=What happened to the original USFL? Herschel Walker, Donald Trump and an ill-fated NFL lawsuit |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/original-usfl-herschel-walker-donald-trump-nfl-lawsuit/hvenfteztha4atfu4tgcuvyk |access-date=June 14, 2022 |website=Sporting News |language=en |archive-date=June 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614230610/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/original-usfl-herschel-walker-donald-trump-nfl-lawsuit/hvenfteztha4atfu4tgcuvyk |url-status=live }}</ref> In training camp, Rice had to compete with 49ers ] and ] for roster spots at the wide receiver position.<ref name="Cox-1985">{{Cite news |last=Cox |first=Don |date=July 21, 1985 |title=49ers open camp with few questions |via=Newspapers.com |pages=4B |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/149648767/?terms=joe%20montana%20opinion%20of%20jerry%20rice&match=1 |access-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317201757/https://www.newspapers.com/image/149648767/?terms=joe%20montana%20opinion%20of%20jerry%20rice&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In ], the 49ers released Rice because of ] problems and he was quickly picked up by the Oakland Raiders. Rice, even at the age of 39, continued to excel, having his 13th and 14th 1,000-yard receiving seasons and scoring his 200th touchdown in ]. He and ] formed a fearsome, if aged, tandem, eventually occupying the top two spots on the NFL's career receiving yardage list. The Raiders reached Rice's fourth Super Bowl in January 2003, though lost badly in a blowout to the ]. | |||
==== Joe Montana and first two Super Bowls (1985–1989) ==== | |||
By ], Rice's role with the Raiders had diminished as the team became focused on developing their younger receivers. Rice had only caught five passes for 67 yards without a touchdown in the first six games with the Raiders, and his streak of consecutive games with a catch had ended on ], ] against the ]. He requested a trade to a team that would give him a more significant playing role and on ], 2004, Rice was traded to the Seattle Seahawks for a conditional seventh-round draft pick. Interestingly, Rice wore number 80 for the Seahawks, which had previously been worn by ], the Hall of Fame wide receiver who once held many of the receiving records that Rice later broke. The Seahawks temporarily unretired Largent's 80 for Rice with Largent's approval. After a season which concluded with the Seahawks becoming the first team to lose a playoff game to an 8-8 team, and Rice was without a catch in the game, the Seattle released Rice at his own request. | |||
In July 1985, Rice was one of 21 rookie players who had not yet signed a contract.<ref name="Cox-1985" /> Rice signed a rookie contract for five years that paid him $377,000 per year.<ref name="Spotrac.com">{{Cite web |last=Spotrac.com |title=Jerry Rice |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/jerry-rice-11728/ |access-date=May 31, 2022 |website=Spotrac.com |language=en-US |archive-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531184417/https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/jerry-rice-11728/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He wrote that during training camp, he was nicknamed "Fifi" because of his haircut, but he was praised by his teammates for his work ethic.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rocklin |first=Calif |date=August 14, 1985 |title=Rookie Rice works more than a minute |via=Newspapers.com |pages=D |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/767693289/?terms=jerry%20rice&match=1 |access-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318201430/https://www.newspapers.com/image/767693289/?terms=jerry%20rice&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=90}} It was with the 49ers where Rice switched from his college number, 88 (which was already taken by teammate ]),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Purdy |first=Mark |date=July 31, 2010 |title=Purdy: Freddie Solomon knew Jerry Rice would be a great one |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2010/07/31/purdy-freddie-solomon-knew-jerry-rice-would-be-a-great-one/ |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624193805/https://www.mercurynews.com/2010/07/31/purdy-freddie-solomon-knew-jerry-rice-would-be-a-great-one/ |url-status=live }}</ref> to his now famous #80 (in honor of his idol, ]).{{citation needed|date=June 2023}} Rice made his NFL debut in the 49ers' regular season opener against the ]. He had four receptions for 67 yards in the 28–21 loss.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings – September 8th, 1985 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198509080min.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624194002/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198509080min.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice scored his first receiving touchdown against the ] on a 25-yard reception from Joe Montana in Week 5.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons – October 6th, 1985 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198510060atl.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407130739/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198510060atl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice had a breakout game with ten receptions for a then franchise-record 241 yards against the ] in Week 13, his first over 100 receiving yards, with San Francisco losing 27–20.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers – December 9th, 1985 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198512090sfo.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406232930/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198512090sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Most Receiving Yards In A Game 49ers Player |url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/most-receiving-yards-in-a-game-49ers-player |access-date=March 17, 2022 |website=StatMuse |language=en |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318001335/https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/most-receiving-yards-in-a-game-49ers-player |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NFL Network-2014"/> For his game against the Rams, Rice earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1985 NFL Week 14 Leaders & Scores |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1985/week_14.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624195137/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1985/week_14.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> After a seven reception, 111-yard performance in a 31–16 victory in the regular season finale against the ], while scoring a rushing touchdown,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers – December 22nd, 1985 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198512220sfo.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407133527/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198512220sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> CBS announcer ] stated that "When this guy is finished , he'll be considered one of the greatest wide receivers to ever play this game."<ref name="Chawla-1985">{{Cite news |last=Chawla |first=Suresh |date=December 29, 1985 |title=Jerry Rice making a name for himself after one year in the NFL |pages=11 |work=] |via=Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/249360639/?terms=jerry%20rice&match=1 |access-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317201809/https://www.newspapers.com/image/249360639/?terms=jerry%20rice&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> He recorded 49 catches, for 927 yards, and three receiving touchdowns, averaging 18.9 yards per catch in his rookie season, and started four out of sixteen possible games.<ref name="1985GL">{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 1985 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |access-date=March 17, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=February 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204211635/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> ] (UPI) named Rice the ], and he was selected to the ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Rice is the NFC rookie of the year|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11679721/rice_is_the_nfc_rookie_of_the_year/|access-date=June 14, 2017|work=Ukiah Daily Journal|agency=United Press International|date=January 8, 1986|page=10|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=October 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021151549/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11679721/rice_is_the_nfc_rookie_of_the_year/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-16">{{Cite web |title=1985 NFL All-Rookie Team |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-1985.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404211241/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-1985.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Nevertheless, Rice struggled, dropping numerous passes that season.<ref name="Chawla-1985" /> In a game against the ], Rice dropped two wide-open passes and later ]d on an 8-yard pass that was intended to boost Rice's confidence.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|pp=44–45}} Rice said that his poor play may have been impacted by his increased wealth and the distractions that came with it.<ref name="Grabowski-2002" /> The 49ers finished the regular season with a {{abbr|10–6|10 wins, 6 losses}} record and made the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1985 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1985.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624194516/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1985.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1985 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1985/index.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624194605/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1985/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> During the ] against the ], Rice had four receptions for 44 yards in the 17–3 loss.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card – San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants – December 29th, 1985 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198512290nyg.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624195010/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198512290nyg.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>] (pictured in 2007), coached Rice for four seasons, from 1985 to 1988.]] | |||
During the 1986 off-season, Rice spent much of his time studying the 49ers playbook.<ref name="Grabowski-2002" /> Playing against the ], Rice had six receptions for 157 yards and a touchdown in a Week 2 loss.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams – September 14th, 1986 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198609140ram.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624195925/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198609140ram.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> He followed that with a seven reception, 120-yard game against the ] in a 26–17 victory in Week 3.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers – September 21st, 1986 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198609210sfo.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624195928/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198609210sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Lowery-1986">{{Cite news |last=Lowery |first=Steve |date=September 15, 1986 |title=Amid 49er Clouds, a Silver Lining Called Rice |via=Newspapers.com |pages=R9 |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/404613785/?terms=jerry%20rice&match=1 |access-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318201431/https://www.newspapers.com/image/404613785/?terms=jerry%20rice&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Soltau |first=Mark |date=September 22, 1986 |title=49er report |via=Newspapers.com |pages=F1–F4 |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/461362033 |access-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318201446/http://www.newspapers.com/image/461362033/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Following a two-touchdown game against the ] in Week 4, Rice had six receptions for 172 yards and three touchdowns in a 35–14 victory over the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Miami Dolphins – September 28th, 1986 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198609280mia.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629192205/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198609280mia.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Indianapolis Colts at San Francisco 49ers – October 5th, 1986 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198610050sfo.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629192243/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198610050sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In Week 10, against the ], he had four receptions for 156 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the 43–17 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=St. Louis Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers – November 9th, 1986 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198611090sfo.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629192516/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198611090sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice had his second career 200-yard receiving game against the ], having a 12 reception, 204-yard performance in Week 11.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Washington Redskins – November 17th, 1986 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198611170was.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=May 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508075021/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198611170was.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> For his game against Washington, he won NFC Offensive Player of the Week.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1986 NFL Week 11 Leaders & Scores |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1986/week_11.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624200330/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1986/week_11.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> He won NFC Offensive Player of the Month for November.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Players of the Month |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/players-of-the-month.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=September 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929204108/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/players-of-the-month.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Overall, he caught 86 passes for 1,570 yards and 15 touchdowns,<ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-12">{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 1986 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |access-date=June 1, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=February 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204211635/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> both of which led the league, the first of four seasons in which Rice led the NFL in both receiving yards and touchdown receptions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1986 NFL Receiving |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1986/receiving.htm |access-date=June 10, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009174712/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1986/receiving.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> He was named to the ] and First-team ] teams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1986 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1986/probowl.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=February 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203134321/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1986/probowl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1986 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1986/allpro.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624200219/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1986/allpro.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The 49ers finished the regular season with a 10–5–1 record, won the NFC West, and made the postseason.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1986 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1986/index.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624200453/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1986/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1986 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1986.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624200421/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1986.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TeamEncyclopedia">{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers Team Encyclopedia |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/index.htm |access-date=May 31, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516092450/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice struggled in the ] against the eventual Super Bowl-winning ], fumbling what would have been a long touchdown on the game's first drive.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=54}} The 49ers lost 49–3.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants – January 4th, 1987 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198701040nyg.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624200559/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198701040nyg.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
During the following offseason, 49ers' head coach Mike Nolan offered to bring Rice onto the Niners' roster for one day, allowing Rice to retire where he spent most of his prodigious career, but was against using Rice on the active roster for the season. On ], ], Rice agreed to a 1-year, $765,000 deal with the ]. However, Rice had a mediocre preseason with the Broncos, perhaps due to a foot injury. Teammate Darius Watts won the third receiver spot from Rice and receiver ] looked to have the fourth spot. Rice, his role diminished beyond his hopes and interests, opted for retirement, which he officially announced on ], ]. | |||
] | |||
Rice won the ] in ] and was ] in Super Bowl XXIII. He has also been selected for the ] 13 times. Some speculate that Rice's reluctance to retire had to do with the possibility in a few years that ], ], ], or some other receiver may break his records. Some of his marks, however, are simply out of reach. Rice's work ethic kept him in sustained physical fitness, something unattainable to players with less discipline. His offseason workout regimen is renowned throughout the NFL. | |||
In the first game of the 1987 season, against the ], Rice went for eight receptions and 108 yards with a touchdown in a 30–17 loss.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 13th, 1987 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198709130pit.htm |access-date=June 10, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610183254/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198709130pit.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The following week against the ], Rice recorded four receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns in a 27–26 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Cincinnati Bengals – September 20th, 1987 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198709200cin.htm |access-date=June 10, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418120847/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198709200cin.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The ] began a strike after the season's second game, causing Rice to miss the next four games while backups replaced him (including a canceled game).{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|pp=58–59}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 5, 2022 |title=Labor Day Throwback: Remembering the 1987 NFL Strike and the 'Seattle Sub-Hawks' |url=https://southseattleemerald.com/2022/09/05/opinion-labor-day-throwback-remembering-the-1987-nfl-strike-and-the-seattle-sub-hawks/ |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=South Seattle Emerald |language=en-US |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629192730/https://southseattleemerald.com/2022/09/05/opinion-labor-day-throwback-remembering-the-1987-nfl-strike-and-the-seattle-sub-hawks/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He picketed outside the 49ers practice facility while some of his teammates (including quarterback ] and halfback ]), crossed picket lines to play.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|pp=58–59}} When the strike ended, Rice resumed playing in Week 7.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|pp=58–59}} In Week 10, against the ], he had four receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns in the 26–24 loss.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers – November 15th, 1987 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198711150sfo.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629192938/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198711150sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the following game, a 24–10 victory over the ], he had seven receptions for 103 yards and three receiving touchdowns in the 24–10 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – November 22nd, 1987 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198711220tam.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629193059/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198711220tam.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> His continued his productive streak with seven receptions for 126 yards and three touchdowns in a 38–24 victory over the ] in the following game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cleveland Browns at San Francisco 49ers – November 29th, 1987 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198711290sfo.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629193329/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198711290sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> For his game against the Browns, he won NFC Offensive Player of the Week.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1987 NFL Week 11 Leaders & Scores |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1987/week_11.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629203540/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1987/week_11.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Two weeks later, in Week 14, Rice recorded three receiving touchdowns for the third time in four games in a 41–0 victory over the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers – December 14th, 1987 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198712140sfo.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=April 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422185340/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198712140sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the final two games of the regular season, Rice recorded four total receiving touchdowns.<ref name="1987GL" /> Rice scored a receiving touchdown in every game he played that season.<ref name="1987GL">{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 1987 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |access-date=March 19, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=February 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204211635/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In total, he scored 22 receiving touchdowns in 12 games, coupled with 1,078 receiving yards from 65 receptions.<ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-1">{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |access-date=May 31, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=February 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204211635/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> His touchdown number broke a then-NFL-record previously held by ] (18), which Rice officially broke against the ] in Week 15.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Spander |first=Art |date=December 21, 1987 |title=Hail Rice! 49ers receiver is MVP |pages=14 |work=] |via=Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/522627847/?terms=jerry%20rice&match=1 |access-date=March 19, 2022 |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319175006/https://www.newspapers.com/image/522627847/?terms=jerry%20rice&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> The record was broken by ] in 2007, when he scored 23 receiving touchdowns.<ref name="Pro-Football-2007">{{Cite web |title=2007 NFL Receiving |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2007/receiving.htm |access-date=March 19, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030432/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2007/receiving.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> After being selected to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro teams,<ref>{{Cite web |title=1987 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1987/probowl.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=February 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203184653/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1987/probowl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1987 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1987/allpro.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=January 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118182434/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1987/allpro.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice was awarded the ], becoming the first wide receiver to receive the award.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AP Offensive Player of the Year Winners |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/ap-offensive-player-of-the-year.htm |access-date=June 10, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=February 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227135428/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/ap-offensive-player-of-the-year.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> He was also named the ] by the ].<ref>{{cite news|title=49er Rice Named 'Most Valuable'|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11679930/49er_rice_named_most_valuable/|access-date=June 14, 2017|work=Tyrone Daily Herald|agency=United Press International|date=January 21, 1988|page=4|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204000238/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11679930/49er_rice_named_most_valuable/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1987, the touchdown runner-up was receiver ] with 11, marking the first time in post-] history that a category leader doubled the total of his nearest competitor and the second time in the history of the NFL from its inception; the first being ] in 1942.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Ferraro|first1=Michael X.|last2=Veneziano|first2=John|title=Numbelievable!: The Dramatic Stories Behind the Most Memorable Numbers in Sports History|date=2007|publisher=Triumph Books|isbn=978-1572439900|page=147|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DKRbjQg2tLYC|access-date=April 2, 2017|via=Google Books|archive-date=April 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425172008/https://books.google.com/books?id=DKRbjQg2tLYC|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1942 NFL Receiving |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1942/receiving.htm |access-date=March 10, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=March 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310233945/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1942/receiving.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The 49ers finished the season 13–2,the best record in the NFL, but lost in the ] to the ] 36–24, with Rice having three receptions for 28 yards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1987 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1987.htm |access-date=June 10, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=April 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415034004/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1987.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers – January 9th, 1988 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198801090sfo.htm |access-date=June 10, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=October 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024085510/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198801090sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
==Personal life== | |||
Rice currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, with his wife Jackie and their children. He is considering stepping into the broadcasting booth. | |||
Before the 1988 season, Rice signed a five-year, $5.05 million contract in June that kept him with the 49ers through 1992.<ref name="Spotrac.com" /> He was plagued by an ankle injury throughout the season,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vierra |first=Dan |date=December 4, 1988 |title=It's big plays that have saved the 49ers |page=B-7 |via=Newspapers.com |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/70670203/?terms=%22jerry%20rice%22%20%22ankle%20injury%22&match=1 |access-date=June 12, 2022 |archive-date=June 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612025403/https://www.newspapers.com/image/70670203/?terms=%22jerry%20rice%22%20%22ankle%20injury%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> In Week 3, Rice had eight receptions for 163 yards in a loss to the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers – September 18th, 1988 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198809180sfo.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629204518/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198809180sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the following game, he recorded 163 receiving yards once again and had three touchdowns in a 38–7 victory over the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks – September 25th, 1988 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198809250sea.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629204658/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198809250sea.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In Week 13, he had six receptions for 171 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in a 48–10 victory over the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at San Diego Chargers – November 27th, 1988 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198811270sdg.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629200136/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198811270sdg.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> He won NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his game against the Chargers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1988 NFL Week 13 Leaders & Scores |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1988/week_13.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629200732/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1988/week_13.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> He still put up high numbers in the games he played, finishing the season with 64 receptions for 1,306 yards and nine receiving touchdowns, averaging a career-high 20.4 yards per reception, earning him more selections to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro teams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 1988 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/1988/ |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629194218/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/1988/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1988 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1988/probowl.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=January 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103191424/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1988/probowl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1988 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1988/allpro.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629194334/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1988/allpro.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The 49ers won the ] with a 10–6 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1988 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1988.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602215729/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1988.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1988 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1988/index.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629194701/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1988/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice had five receptions for 61 yards and three touchdowns, scoring all three in the first half of the 49er's 34–9 win against the ] during the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers – January 1st, 1989 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198901010sfo.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629194520/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198901010sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-13">{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 1988 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |access-date=June 1, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=February 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204211635/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the 49ers' 28–3 win over the ] in the ], he had five receptions for 133 yards and two touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship – San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears – January 8th, 1989 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198901080chi.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=February 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214193124/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198901080chi.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In ], Rice had an 11 reception, 215-yard performance with a touchdown, helping the 49ers to a narrow 20–16 win over the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XXIII – San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals – January 22nd, 1989 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198901220cin.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=December 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226031158/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198901220cin.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Both his receptions and receiving yards were Super Bowl records.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/america-s-favorite-game-super-bowl-winners-0ap1000000129382|title=America's Favorite Game: Super Bowl winners|work=NFL.com|publisher=National Football League|date=January 21, 2013|access-date=January 21, 2013|archive-date=October 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021190822/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000129382/article/americas-favorite-game-the-super-bowl|url-status=live}}</ref> For his performance, Rice was named the Super Bowl MVP; he called the win "stupendous".<ref name="Long-1989">{{Cite news |last=Long |first=Gary |date=January 23, 1989 |title=Make Montana MVP urges a modest Rice |pages=6SB |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/634349382/?terms=Jerry%20Rice&match=1 |access-date=March 19, 2022 |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319223536/https://www.newspapers.com/image/634349382/?terms=Jerry%20Rice&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> He became the third wide receiver to earn ] honors.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Shapiro |first=Michael |date=February 3, 2019 |title=Which wide receivers have won Super Bowl MVP? |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/02/03/super-bowl-2019-wide-receiver-mvp-history-lynn-swann-santonio-holmes |access-date=March 19, 2022 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us |archive-date=February 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015205/https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/02/03/super-bowl-2019-wide-receiver-mvp-history-lynn-swann-santonio-holmes |url-status=live }}</ref> Even though Rice won the MVP, Montana uttered the famous: "]" line, instead of Rice; Rice attributed him not saying it to racism.<ref name="NFL Network-2014"/> Overall, Rice caught 21 receptions for 409 yards and six touchdowns; his yards and touchdown numbers stood as postseason records until ] broke both of them in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Most Receiving Yards In A Postseason |url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/most-receiving-yards-in-a-postseason |access-date=May 30, 2022 |website=StatMuse |language=en |archive-date=May 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530005344/https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/most-receiving-yards-in-a-postseason |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Most Receiving Touchdowns In A Postseason |url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/most-receiving-touchdowns-in-a-postseason |access-date=May 30, 2022 |website=StatMuse |language=en |archive-date=May 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530005343/https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/most-receiving-touchdowns-in-a-postseason |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
After the 1988 season, 49ers head coach Bill Walsh retired from coaching after much speculation, and was to be replaced by George Seifert;<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 27, 1989 |title=Walsh Resigns as Coach And Seifert Replaces Him |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/27/sports/walsh-resigns-as-coach-and-seifert-replaces-him.html |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623155911/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/27/sports/walsh-resigns-as-coach-and-seifert-replaces-him.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice was saddened by this, referring to Walsh his "West Coast father".{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=67}}<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Emmons |first1=Mark |last2=Georgatos |first2=Dennis |date=July 31, 2007 |title=Former players recall Bill Walsh's far-reaching influence |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2007/07/31/former-players-recall-bill-walshs-far-reaching-influence/ |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701182810/https://www.mercurynews.com/2007/07/31/former-players-recall-bill-walshs-far-reaching-influence/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice started off the season strong with six receptions for 163 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in a 30–24 victory over the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts – September 10th, 1989 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198909100clt.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701182705/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198909100clt.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the following game, against the ], he had eight receptions for 122 receiving yards in the 20–16 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – September 17th, 1989 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198909170tam.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701182934/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198909170tam.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the next game, a 38–28 victory over the ], he had a season-high 164 receiving yards on six receptions for two touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles – September 24th, 1989 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198909240phi.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701183102/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198909240phi.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Two weeks later, he had seven receptions for 149 receiving yards and a touchdown in a 24–20 victory over the ] in Week 5.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints – October 8th, 1989 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198910080nor.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701183229/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198910080nor.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Starting in Week 7, Rice had a six-game stretch where he had three games with two receiving touchdowns and three games going over the 100-yard mark.<ref name="1989GL" /> By the end of the 1989 season, Rice had gained 82 receptions for 1,483 yards and 17 receiving touchdowns; both his yards and touchdown numbers led the league.<ref name="1989GL">{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 1989 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |access-date=March 20, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=February 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204211635/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1989 NFL Receiving |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1989/receiving.htm |access-date=June 10, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=October 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008185937/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1989/receiving.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> For the fourth straight season, Rice was selected to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro team.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1989 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1989/probowl.htm |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=January 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106025127/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1989/probowl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1989 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1989/allpro.htm |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623155710/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1989/allpro.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> San Francisco finished the regular season with a 14–2 record, the league's best.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1989 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1989.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602215737/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1989.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice had six receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns in the ] against the ]; the 49ers won 41–13.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers – January 6th, 1990 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199001060sfo.htm |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623155841/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199001060sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1989 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1989/index.htm |access-date=June 29, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629204037/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1989/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the ] against the ], he had six receptions for 55 yards in the 30–3 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship – Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers – January 14th, 1990 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199001140sfo.htm |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623155804/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199001140sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice finished ] with seven receptions for 148 yards and three touchdowns in the 49ers 55–10 blowout victory against the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XXIV – San Francisco 49ers vs. Denver Broncos – January 28th, 1990 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199001280den.htm |access-date=April 15, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=May 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502173248/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199001280den.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
==== Steve Young years (1990–1994) ==== | |||
]'s Pro Football Hall of Fame bust. Young was Rice's starting quarterback for much of the 1990s.]] | |||
In the 1990 season, Rice started all 16 games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 San Francisco 49ers Roster & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1990_roster.htm |access-date=June 10, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610183901/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1990_roster.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In Week 3, against the ], he had eight receptions for 171 yards and a touchdown in the 19–13 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers – September 23rd, 1990 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199009230sfo.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624020717/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199009230sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> For his game against the Falcons, he won NFC Offensive Player of the Week.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 NFL Week 3 Leaders & Scores |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/week_3.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701183540/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/week_3.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> On October 14, in Week 6 against the Falcons, Rice caught a career-best five touchdowns to go with 13 receptions for 225 yards in the 45–35 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 15, 1990 |title=Montana Has 6 Touchdown Passes; Rice Catches 5 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-10-15-sp-1844-story.html |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624020808/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-10-15-sp-1844-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> For the second time and against the same opponent in the 1990 season, Rice won NFC Offensive Player of the Week.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 NFL Week 6 Leaders & Scores |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/week_6.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701183649/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/week_6.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 4, against the ], Rice had a six reception, 181-yard performance with a touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers – November 4th, 1990 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199011040gnb.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624020832/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199011040gnb.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the following game, against the ], he had 12 receptions for 147 yards and one touchdown in the 24–6 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys – November 11th, 1990 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199011110dal.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624020957/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199011110dal.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In three of the last four games of the regular season, Rice went over 100 receiving yards.<ref name="1990GL" /> Rice had a successful year, leading the NFL in receptions (100), receiving yards (1,502), and receiving touchdowns (13),<ref name="1990GL">{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 1990 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/1990/ |access-date=March 21, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603011307/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/1990/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 NFL Receiving |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/receiving.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=October 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008183831/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/receiving.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> becoming the first player to ] in the Super Bowl era: only ] (1992), ] (2005), and ] (2021) have managed the feat since.<ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kulha |first=Andrew |date=January 6, 2022 |title=How Many NFL Wide Receivers Have Won the Triple Crown? |url=https://www.sportscasting.com/how-many-nfl-wide-receivers-won-triple-crown/ |access-date=June 5, 2022 |website=Sportscasting {{!}} Pure Sports |language=en-US |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706230516/https://www.sportscasting.com/how-many-nfl-wide-receivers-won-triple-crown/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Grant |date=January 9, 2022 |title=Rams WR Cooper Kupp captures receiving triple crown |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/rams-wr-cooper-kupp-captures-receiving-triple-crown |access-date=March 20, 2022 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US |archive-date=February 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201081409/https://www.nfl.com/news/rams-wr-cooper-kupp-captures-receiving-triple-crown |url-status=live }}</ref> He was named to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro teams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/probowl.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=January 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104053029/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/probowl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/allpro.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610162048/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/allpro.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice's efforts helped San Francisco finish the year with an NFL-best 14–2 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1990.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=October 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018122407/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1990.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/index.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=May 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507200828/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> During the ] against the ], Rice had six receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown in the 28–10 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – Washington Redskins at San Francisco 49ers – January 12th, 1991 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199101120sfo.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624020118/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199101120sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Montana injured his elbow in the ] against the ], ending with the 49ers losing 15–13, failing to repeat as NFC champions for a third time; Rice went for five receptions and 54 yards in the game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship – New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers – January 20th, 1991 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199101200sfo.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516221634/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199101200sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=72}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Minner |first=Larry |date=January 21, 1991 |title='Three-peat' gets the boot |page=C1 |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/696028936/?terms=%22joe%20montana%22&match=1 |access-date=June 13, 2022 |archive-date=June 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613021007/https://www.newspapers.com/image/696028936/?terms=%22joe%20montana%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In 1991, Montana was ruled out for the season with an injury, making ] the starting quarterback.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 25, 1991 |title=Montana, 49ers Split On Injury |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/08/25/sports/football-montana-49ers-split-on-injury.html |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624020312/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/08/25/sports/football-montana-49ers-split-on-injury.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 9, 1991 |title=MONTANA HAS SURGERY, OUT FOR SEASON |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/10/10/montana-has-surgery-out-for-season/4f03622a-6c4e-4010-be2f-c2088888316c/ |access-date=June 23, 2023 |newspaper=Washington Post |archive-date=October 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017065354/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/10/10/montana-has-surgery-out-for-season/4f03622a-6c4e-4010-be2f-c2088888316c/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dufresne |first=Chris |date=October 3, 1993 |title=YOUNG BLOOD : In College, He Was Eighth String. His First Pro Team Went Belly Up. Now the Gifted Steve Young Must Escape the Long Shadow of Joe Montana. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-10-03-tm-41569-story.html |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624020542/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-10-03-tm-41569-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Along with Montana, teammates ] and ] had left in free agency, making Rice "the last of the Mohicans" as he described himself, the only remaining star player from San Francisco's 80s dynasty.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=72}}{{Sfn|Rice & Curtis|2007|pp=72–73}} Rice started the season with six receiving touchdowns in the first four games, which included a 150-yard game against the ] in Week 2.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers – September 8th, 1991 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199109080sfo.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624021923/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199109080sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="1991GL">{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 1991 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/1991/ |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624022014/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/1991/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In Week 7, against the ], he had seven receptions for 138 yards and one touchdown in the 39–34 loss.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers – October 13th, 1991 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199110130sfo.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624022344/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199110130sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice recorded 80 receptions for 1,206 yards and led the league in receiving touchdowns with 14 in the 1991 season, and was again selected to the Pro Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1991 NFL Receiving |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1991/receiving.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=January 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122201400/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1991/receiving.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1991 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1991/probowl.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=January 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129111510/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1991/probowl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> He suffered a torn ] (PCL) against the ], but the injury did not cost him any games.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 15, 1991 |title=Rice playing on bum knee |page=17 |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/68372416/?terms=%22jerry%20rice%22%20%22posterior%20cruciate%20ligament%22&match=1 |access-date=June 12, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=June 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612052931/https://www.newspapers.com/image/68372416/?terms=%22jerry%20rice%22%20%22posterior%20cruciate%20ligament%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> San Francisco managed to win their final six games to finish with a 10–6 record but they failed to make the postseason, marking the first time in Rice's career that the 49ers failed to do so.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1991 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1991.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624021423/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1991.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1991 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1991/index.htm |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624021453/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1991/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
] (pictured) as the career leader in receiving touchdowns.]] | |||
During the 1992 season, a quarterback controversy swirled around Montana and Young. Rice openly supported Montana, but Young ended up starting, while Montana rehabbed.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=73}} Wanting a high-value contract, Rice skipped training camp.<ref name="Jenkins-1992" /> He eventually signed with the 49ers for a three-year, $7.5 million contract, returning to training camp.<ref name="Jenkins-1992">{{Cite news |last=Jenkins |first=Jim |date=August 29, 1992 |title=Rice sure catches on quickly |pages=C–31 |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/625868531/?terms=Jerry%20Rice&match=1 |access-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327210051/https://www.newspapers.com/image/625868531/?terms=Jerry%20Rice&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> On September 13, Rice was knocked unconscious against the ], and was taken out of the game with a concussion.{{Sfn|O'Brien|2005|p=46}} In Week 7, against the ], Rice had a seven reception, 183-yard performance with two touchdowns to go along with a 26-yard touchdown rush, totaling 209 scrimmage yards in the 56–17 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers – October 18th, 1992 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199210180sfo.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701183846/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199210180sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> He won NFC Offensive Player of the Week for this game against the Falcons.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1992 NFL Week 7 Leaders & Scores |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1992/week_7.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701184140/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1992/week_7.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In Week 13 against the ], he had eight receptions for 133 receiving yards and one touchdown in the 20–14 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers – November 29th, 1992 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199211290sfo.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=April 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419163608/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199211290sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> He won NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his game against the Eagles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1992 NFL Week 13 Leaders & Scores |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1992/week_13.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701184828/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1992/week_13.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice surpassed ]'s career receiving touchdown record on December 6 in a Week 14 game against the ], scoring his 101st touchdown.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=73}} In Week 16 against the ], he had seven receptions for 118 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in the 21–14 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers – December 19th, 1992 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199212190sfo.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701185118/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199212190sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Overall, Rice finished the season with 84 catches for 1,201 yards and ten touchdowns, and was once again named to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro team.<ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-8">{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 1992 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |access-date=March 27, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=February 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204211635/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1992 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1992/probowl.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701184002/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1992/probowl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1992 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1992/allpro.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701184032/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1992/allpro.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice helped the 49ers to an NFL-best 14–2 record, and they made the postseason.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1992 San Francisco 49ers Roster & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1992_roster.htm |access-date=June 10, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610184023/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1992_roster.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> San Francisco won in the ] against the ], but lost in the ] against the eventual Super Bowl champion ], being unable to stop the offense of ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship – Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers – January 17th, 1993 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199301170sfo.htm |access-date=June 15, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615174223/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199301170sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice had eight receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown in the game, with the touchdown being his 13th of his postseason career, an NFL record.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=75}} | |||
After the 1992 season, in April 1993, Montana was traded to the ];<ref>{{Cite web |last=Friend |first=Tom |date=April 21, 1993 |title=Chiefs and 49ers Come to Terms on Montana Trade at Last |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/21/sports/pro-football-chiefs-and-49ers-come-to-terms-on-montana-trade-at-last.html |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US |archive-date=June 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624022146/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/21/sports/pro-football-chiefs-and-49ers-come-to-terms-on-montana-trade-at-last.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice wasn't able to properly say goodbye to him, and believed that San Francisco should have "treated Joe with more class" when they traded him.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=75}} In Week 8, Rice had a 155-yard performance with two receiving touchdowns against the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phoenix Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers – October 24th, 1993 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199310240sfo.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701193616/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199310240sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In Week 11, Rice had eight receptions for 172 yards and four touchdowns against the ] in the 45–21 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – November 14th, 1993 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199311140tam.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701193735/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199311140tam.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> For his game against Tampa Bay, he won NFC Offensive Player of the Week.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1993 NFL Week 11 Leaders & Scores |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1993/week_11.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701194650/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1993/week_11.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Two weeks later, he had eight receptions for 166 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in the 35–10 victory over the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams – November 28th, 1993 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199311280ram.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701193853/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199311280ram.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In Week 16, he had four receptions for 132 receiving yards and one touchdown in the 55–17 victory over the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions – December 19th, 1993 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199312190det.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701194110/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199312190det.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice caught 98 receptions for 1,503 yards and 15 touchdowns in the 1993 season; both his receiving yards and touchdown numbers led the league.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1993 NFL Receiving |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1993/receiving.htm |access-date=June 10, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=October 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008225623/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1993/receiving.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-2">{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 1993 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |access-date=March 27, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=February 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204211635/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> He was awarded his second career NFL Offensive Player of The Year Award,<ref>{{Cite web |title=1993 Awards Voting |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/awards_1993.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701185832/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/awards_1993.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> along with being selected to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro teams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1993 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1993/probowl.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916190746/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1993/probowl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1993 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1993/allpro.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701185939/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1993/allpro.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> San Francisco finished the season 10–6, and made the postseason.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1993 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1993.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701190007/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1993.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1993 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1993/index.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701190034/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1993/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice and the 49ers won in the ] against the ], but once again lost in the ] against the ]; Rice recorded nine receptions for 126 yards during the 1993 postseason.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers – January 15th, 1994 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199401150sfo.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=April 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411115457/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199401150sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship – San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys – January 23rd, 1994 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199401230dal.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=May 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530135844/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199401230dal.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
While he didn't get along with free agent addition ], he believed Sanders would help in the 49ers' pursuit of the Super Bowl.<ref name="NFL Network-2014"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Plaschke |first=Bill |date=September 15, 1994 |title=Deion Sanders Set to Join 49ers Today : Pro football: All-Pro defensive back is expected to sign a one-year, $1.2-million contract. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-15-sp-38850-story.html |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701193445/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-15-sp-38850-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> These assertions were proven correct, as Rice made it back to the Super Bowl with the 49ers in 1994, recording 112 receptions for 1,499 yards and 13 touchdowns, with Sanders winning the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AP Defensive Player of the Year Winners |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/ap-defensive-player-of-the-year.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713200031/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/ap-defensive-player-of-the-year.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 1994 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/1994/ |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701190354/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/1994/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The season began against the ], where he had a seven reception, 169-yard game with two touchdowns (rushing for one more), moving into first place in the NFL records for career touchdowns, with 127.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=80}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Raiders at San Francisco 49ers – September 5th, 1994 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199409050sfo.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406221134/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199409050sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> On September 18 against the ], his 147 receiving yards from 11 catches moved him past ] as the NFLs active leader in that category and past ] for third all-time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams – September 18th, 1994 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199409180ram.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701190319/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199409180ram.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Simpson |first=Kamon |date=September 18, 1994 |title=NFL notes |via=Newspapers.com |page=50 |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/744231679/?terms=%22jerry%20rice%22%20%22charlie%20joiner%22&match=1 |access-date=May 29, 2022 |archive-date=May 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529234348/https://www.newspapers.com/image/744231679/?terms=%22jerry%20rice%22%20%22charlie%20joiner%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> In Week 12, in another game against the Rams, he had 16 receptions for 165 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers – November 20th, 1994 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199411200sfo.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701195736/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199411200sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> For his game against the Rams, he won NFC Offensive Player of the Week.<ref name="auto"/> In Week 15 against the Chargers, he had 12 receptions for 144 receiving yards in the 38–15 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at San Diego Chargers – December 11th, 1994 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199412110sdg.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516221704/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199412110sdg.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> He passed Largent for second place in the 16th game of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Career Receiving Yards Leaders Through 1993 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_yds_career_1993.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=November 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115144730/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_yds_career_1993.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Career Receiving Yards Leaders Through 1994 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_yds_career_1994.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=November 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115033713/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_yds_career_1994.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice was selected to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro teams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1994 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1994/probowl.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916205710/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1994/probowl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1994 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1994/allpro.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701190942/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1994/allpro.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> With a 13–3 record and making the postseason, the 49ers won against the ] in the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers – January 7th, 1995 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199501070sfo.htm |access-date=May 29, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=May 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529234348/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199501070sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Moving on to the ], they faced the ] for the third straight year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship – Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers – January 15th, 1995 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199501150sfo.htm |access-date=May 29, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=May 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529234348/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199501150sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> After two previous defeats, the 49ers were victorious against the Cowboys 38–28. Rice was a vital component in their 49–26 victory over the ] in ], combined with a six-touchdown performance by Young, Rice caught ten passes after catching six in the 49ers last two postseason games, coupled with 149 yards and three touchdowns, despite playing with a separated shoulder for much of the game.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Freeman|first1=Mike|title=Pro Football; Rice Works for Hours And Defies the Years|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/02/sports/pro-football-rice-works-for-hours-and-defies-the-years.html?pagewanted=all&mcubz=2|access-date=June 14, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=July 2, 1995|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115143424/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/02/sports/pro-football-rice-works-for-hours-and-defies-the-years.html?pagewanted=all&mcubz=2|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Kindred">{{cite news|last1=Kindred|first1=Dave|title=Commentary: There's No One More Super Than Jerry Rice|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-02-05-sp-28188-story.html|access-date=June 14, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=February 5, 1995|archive-date=October 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017093208/http://articles.latimes.com/1995-02-05/sports/sp-28188_1_jerry-rice|url-status=live}}</ref> In three Super Bowl appearances at this point in his career, Rice caught 28 receptions for 512 yards and seven touchdowns, with all three statistics career Super Bowl records.<ref name="NFL Network-2014"/> | |||
==== Final 49ers' seasons (1995–2000) ==== | |||
During the 1995 season, Rice had a record-setting campaign. After an 87-yard, one-touchdown day to start the season against the ], Rice had 11 receptions for 167 yards and two touchdowns in a 41–10 victory over the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints – September 3rd, 1995 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199509030nor.htm |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623152153/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199509030nor.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers – September 10th, 1995 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199509100sfo.htm |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623152225/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199509100sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Following a two-touchdown game against the ] in Week 3, Rice had 11 receptions for 181 yards in a 27–24 loss to the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=New England Patriots at San Francisco 49ers – September 17th, 1995 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199509170sfo.htm |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623152435/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199509170sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions – September 25th, 1995 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199509250det.htm |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623152451/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199509250det.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In Rice's next three games, he scored a receiving touchdown in each.<ref name="1995GL" /> On October 29, with an eight reception, 108-yard performance in Week 9, he surpassed ] as the all-time leader in receiving yards against the Saints, with 14,040.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chapin |first=Dwight |date=October 30, 1995 |title=Rice doesn't get caught up in milestone |page=C7 |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/461830331/?terms=jerry%20rice&match=1 |access-date=May 30, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530231844/https://www.newspapers.com/image/461830331/?terms=jerry%20rice&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Against the ], he had five receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown in a Week 11 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys – November 12th, 1995 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199511120dal.htm |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605055045/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199511120dal.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In Week 12, against the ], he had eight receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns in the 44–20 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Miami Dolphins – November 20th, 1995 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199511200mia.htm |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623152802/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199511200mia.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice had one of the best statistical games in his career against the ], catching 14 passes for a career-high 289 yards (at the time the fifth-most ever in a game),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers – December 18th, 1995 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199512180sfo.htm |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623151812/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199512180sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Receiving Yards Single Game Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_yds_single_game.htm |access-date=June 10, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610184225/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_yds_single_game.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and three touchdowns.<ref name="Crumpacker-1995">{{Cite news |last=Crumpacker |first=John |date=December 19, 1995 |title=49er's Monday night star has his best game ever |page=D1-D4 |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/462284859 |access-date=May 30, 2022 |archive-date=May 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530231844/http://www.newspapers.com/image/462284859/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice won NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his game against the Vikings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1995 NFL Week 16 Leaders & Scores |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1995/week_16.htm |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701191112/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1995/week_16.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Vikings head coach ] said of Rice: "We did take the 49ers out of their running game, but Jerry was the one ingredient we had a hard time stopping", "In fact, we had a hard time slowing him down".<ref name="Crumpacker-1995" /> In the final game of the regular season against the Atlanta Falcons,<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons – December 24th, 1995 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199512240atl.htm |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623153330/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199512240atl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> he surpassed ] as the all-time leader in receptions, with 942;<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 25, 1995 |title=Quick Kicks |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/dec/25/quick-kicks/ |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=The Spokesman-Review |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623153504/https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/dec/25/quick-kicks/ |url-status=live }}</ref> his performance included 12 receptions for 153 yards, a 41-yard touchdown-throw, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown; his yards total was enough to break the record for most receiving yards in a season, with 1,848 yards,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ricks |first=William E. |date=February 11, 2022 |title=Here's where 2021 OPOY Cooper Kupp ranks on the NFL's single-season receiving yards list |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33002957/the-nfl-single-season-receiving-yards-leaders-1-10 |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623153619/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33002957/the-nfl-single-season-receiving-yards-leaders-1-10 |url-status=live }}</ref> coupled with 122 receptions and 15 touchdowns.<ref name="1995GL">{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 1995 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |access-date=May 30, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=February 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204211635/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kreidler |first1=Mark |last2=Bosley |first2=Don |date=December 25, 1995 |title=Rice takes blame, despite his day |pages=D7 |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/627480176/?terms=%22jerry%20rice%22%20%22all%20time%22&match=1 |access-date=May 30, 2022 |archive-date=May 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530231843/https://www.newspapers.com/image/627480176/?terms=%22jerry%20rice%22%20%22all%20time%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was selected to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro teams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1995 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1995/probowl.htm |access-date=June 10, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=April 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423180541/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1995/probowl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1995 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1995/allpro.htm |access-date=June 10, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610184332/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1995/allpro.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> His single-season receiving yards record was not broken until ] broke it in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 9, 2016 |title=Calvin Johnson Retires as Owner of Multiple NFL Records |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2620000-calvin-johnson-retires-as-owner-of-multiple-nfl-records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309164524/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2620000-calvin-johnson-retires-as-owner-of-multiple-nfl-records |archive-date=March 9, 2022 |access-date=March 9, 2022 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref> With an 11–5 record and making the postseason,<ref>{{Cite web |title=1995 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1995/index.htm |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702174031/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1995/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1995 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1995.htm |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623151620/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1995.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> the 49ers lost in the ] to the ], in which Rice had 11 receptions for 117 yards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers – January 6th, 1996 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199601060sfo.htm |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614014303/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199601060sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
During the offseason of 1996, Rice and Jackie were expecting their third child, and on May 16, 1996, Jada Rice was born.<ref name="Killion-1996">{{Cite news |last=Killion |first=Ann |date=October 20, 1996 |title=Crisis brings Rice family together |pages=1B, 12B |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/813906701/ |access-date=June 12, 2022 |archive-date=June 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612024123/https://www.newspapers.com/image/813906701/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Minutes after the birth, however, Jackie suffered complications and nearly died from blood loss.<ref name="Killion-1996" /> She made a recovery after many surgeries.<ref name="Killion-1996" /> This caused Rice to miss almost all of June mini-camp and one week of training camp; he was supported by his teammates and coaches along the way.{{Sfn|Rice & Curtis|2007|pp=96–97}} Even through these troubles, he was available for the start of the regular season. In Week 4, against the ], he had ten receptions for 127 receiving yards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Carolina Panthers – September 22nd, 1996 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199609220car.htm |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702174359/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199609220car.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In Week 7, he had his only game of the season with multiple receiving touchdowns with two against the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers – October 14th, 1996 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199610140gnb.htm |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=May 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520160015/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199610140gnb.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> He had ten receptions for 129 yard and a touchdown in a Week 15 loss to the Carolina Panthers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers – December 8th, 1996 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199612080sfo.htm |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702174703/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199612080sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Overall, he recorded 108 receptions (leading the NFL) for 1,254 yards and eight touchdowns.<ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-9">{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 1996 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |access-date=May 31, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=February 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204211635/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1996 NFL Receiving |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1996/receiving.htm |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=October 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012231825/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1996/receiving.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice was selected to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1996 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1996/probowl.htm |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=October 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007102844/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1996/probowl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1996 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1996/allpro.htm |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623151409/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1996/allpro.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> With a 12–4 record and making the postseason,<ref>{{Cite web |title=1996 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1996.htm |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702174156/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1996.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1996 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1996/index.htm |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=April 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425052556/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1996/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> San Francisco won in the ] against the ] 14–0 with Rice scoring a touchdown,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card – Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers – December 29th, 1996 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199612290sfo.htm |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702174132/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199612290sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> but lost to the Green Bay Packers in the ], as the 49ers were unable to gain any ground with their offense, with only 196 yards of total offense.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers – January 4th, 1997 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199701040gnb.htm |access-date=May 31, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512133124/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199701040gnb.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Through 1994 and 1996, Rice racked up 342 catches for 4,601 yards and 36 touchdowns.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=84}} | |||
Before the 1997 season, Rice signed a seven-year, $32 million contract.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 29, 1996 |title=For $32-million, 49ers secure Rice for good |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/08/29/for-32-million-49ers-secure-rice-for-good/ |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623151159/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/08/29/for-32-million-49ers-secure-rice-for-good/ |url-status=live }}</ref> During the 49ers' opening game of the season, Rice tore the ] and ] in his left knee on a reverse.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Swan |first=Gary |date=September 2, 1997 |title=49ers' Star Rice Out for Season With Knee Injury |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/PAGE-ONE-49ers-Star-Rice-Out-for-Season-With-3239832.php |access-date=June 10, 2023 |website=SFGATE |language=en-US |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610184536/https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/PAGE-ONE-49ers-Star-Rice-Out-for-Season-With-3239832.php |url-status=live }}</ref> ] of the ] grabbed Rice by the face mask and wrenched him to the ground, drawing a 15-yard personal foul.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pierson|first=Don|title=1st Injury Of Career Puts 49ers' Rice Out For '97|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/09/02/1st-injury-of-career-puts-49ers-rice-out-for-97/|access-date=June 14, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|date=September 2, 1997|archive-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806061312/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1997-09-02/sports/9709020138_1_george-seifert-jerry-rice-49ers-coach-steve-mariucci|url-status=live}}</ref> The injury broke Rice's streak of 189 consecutive games played; throughout high school, college, and the NFL he had never missed a game excluding three strike games.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=84}} Wanting to make it back in time for the retirement of Montana's jersey number, he made his return 14 weeks later on December 15, much earlier than doctors wanted him to. He scored a touchdown, but he cracked his left ] as he came down with the catch.<ref>{{cite news|last=Litsky|first=Frank|title=Pro Football; Rice's 2nd Knee Injury Ends a Lost Season|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/17/sports/pro-football-rice-s-2d-knee-injury-ends-a-lost-season.html?mcubz=2|access-date=June 14, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=December 17, 1997|archive-date=December 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230230447/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/17/sports/pro-football-rice-s-2d-knee-injury-ends-a-lost-season.html?mcubz=2|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=84}} He missed the Pro Bowl team for the first time in 11 years due to the injury.<ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-1" /> San Francisco still made the postseason with a 13–3 record, beating the ] in the ] 38–22, but lost for the third straight time against the ] 23–10 in the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1997 San Francisco 49ers Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1997.htm |access-date=May 31, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905095305/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1997.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers – January 3rd, 1998 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199801030sfo.htm |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623151053/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199801030sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship – Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers – January 11th, 1998 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199801110sfo.htm |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623151113/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199801110sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
Rice made a full recovery, coming back in time for the 1998 regular season opener. In Week 4, against the ], he had eight receptions for 162 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in the 31–20 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers – September 27th, 1998 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199809270sfo.htm |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405114720/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199809270sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In Week 11, in another game against the Falcons, he had ten receptions for 169 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons – November 15th, 1998 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199811150atl.htm |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405104303/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199811150atl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Overall, he recorded 82 catches for 1,157 yards and nine touchdowns, becoming the oldest receiver ever to record a 1,000-yard season, at age 36, and returned to the Pro Bowl team.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 1998 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/1998/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616192444/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/1998/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="oldest">{{Cite web |title=Oldest players to have at least 1,000 receiving yards in a single season, NFL history |url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/oldest-player-to-have-1000-yards-receiving-in-a-season |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=StatMuse |language=en |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616192526/https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/oldest-player-to-have-1000-yards-receiving-in-a-season |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1998 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1998/probowl.htm |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=September 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923143444/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1998/probowl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> San Francisco made the postseason with a 12–4 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1998 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1998.htm |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616192613/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1998.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> They faced the ] once again the ]. Though Rice only had one catch for six yards in the game, the 49ers defeated the Packers 30–27.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card – Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers – January 3rd, 1999 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199901030sfo.htm |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616192647/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199901030sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-11">{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 1998 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |access-date=May 31, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=February 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204211635/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> San Francisco was defeated in the ] by the Atlanta Falcons 18–20. Rice had a receiving touchdown in the loss.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons – January 9th, 1999 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199901090atl.htm |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405104308/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199901090atl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In Week 13 of the 1999 season, Rice had nine receptions for 157 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the 44–30 loss to the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Cincinnati Bengals – December 5th, 1999 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199912050cin.htm |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616185827/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199912050cin.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the 49ers' regular season finale against the ], he had six receptions for 143 yards in the 34–29 defeat.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons – January 3rd, 2000 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200001030atl.htm |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616192108/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200001030atl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice finished the 1999 season with 67 receptions for 830 yards and five touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 1999 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/1999/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701091657/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/1999/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The season was the first that Rice failed to reach 1,000 yards receiving while playing in all 16 games. San Francisco struggled as a whole, going 4–12 and missing the postseason, losing 11 out of their last 12 games after Young had concussion troubles,<ref>{{Cite web |title=1999 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1999.htm |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701091659/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1999.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> leading him to retire after the season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 12, 2000 |agency=] |title=Young calls it a career |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/2000/0612/580418.html |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |archive-date=December 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227063049/http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/2000/0612/580418.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Simers |first=T.J. |date=June 9, 2000 |title=Concussions to Force Young Into Retirement |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jun-09-sp-39252-story.html |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616185209/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jun-09-sp-39252-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September 1, 2008 |title=The decline and fall of the 49ers empire |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2008/09/01/chff-niners |access-date=June 16, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616185248/https://www.si.com/nfl/2008/09/01/chff-niners |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In the 2000 season, his final season in San Francisco, he again missed 1,000 receiving yards, with 75 receptions for 805 yards and seven touchdowns. The 2000 season marked Rice's first without having a game where he recorded at least 100 receiving yards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 2000 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |access-date=June 1, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=February 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204211635/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In his final home game against the ], he had seven receptions for 76 yards in the 17–0 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers – December 17th, 2000 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200012170sfo.htm |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616184753/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200012170sfo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> It was the same game in which ] set the single-game record for receptions, with 20.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2000 |title=Owens Sets Catches Mark In Rice's Likely Farewell |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/18/sports/nfl-week-16-yesterday-s-games-owens-sets-catches-mark-in-rice-s-likely-farewell.html |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US |agency=] |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701091701/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/18/sports/nfl-week-16-yesterday-s-games-owens-sets-catches-mark-in-rice-s-likely-farewell.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This angered Rice as he wanted it to be a special day for him, not for Owens, and many of Owens' receptions were intentionally called in order for him to break the record.<ref name="NFL Network-2014"/> San Francisco once again struggled, going 6–10 and missing the postseason.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2000 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/2000.htm |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616184620/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/2000.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2000 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2000/index.htm |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=April 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425092557/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2000/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
=== Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, and later career (2001–2005) === | |||
==== Oakland Raiders ==== | |||
With the emergence of ] in San Francisco and because of their desire to rebuild the team and clear salary, Rice was released by the 49ers in June 2001 and signed with the ] for a four-year, $7.8 million contract.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 5, 2001 |title=PLUS: PRO FOOTBALL; Released Rice Looks at Raiders |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/05/sports/plus-pro-football-released-rice-looks-at-raiders.html |access-date=April 15, 2023 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US |agency=] |archive-date=April 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422084919/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/05/sports/plus-pro-football-released-rice-looks-at-raiders.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/It-s-official-Rice-is-a-Raider-1056433.php | work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer | first=Anne | last=Peterson | title=It's official: Rice is a Raider | date=April 6, 2001 | access-date=April 2, 2017 | archive-date=January 25, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125141231/http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/It-s-official-Rice-is-a-Raider-1056433.php | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Spotrac.com" /> He joined a Raiders team coming off a loss in the playoffs to form one of the oldest receiver duos with ] (age 35).{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|pp=102–103}} During the season, he had an eight reception, 131-yard performance with three touchdowns against the ], and a nine reception, 108-yard performance against the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders – November 18th, 2001 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200111180rai.htm |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616181837/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200111180rai.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos – December 30th, 2001 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200112300den.htm |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616181912/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200112300den.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice caught 83 passes for 1,139 yards and nine touchdowns for the year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 2001 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |access-date=June 2, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=February 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204211635/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Oakland finished the season with a 10–6 record and made the postseason.<ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-14">{{Cite web |title=Las Vegas/Oakland/LA Raiders Team Encyclopedia |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/index.htm |access-date=June 2, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602180445/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2001 Oakland Raiders Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/2001.htm |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=November 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114194336/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/2001.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The Raiders played the ] in the ], winning 38–24, with Rice having nine receptions for 183 yards and a touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card – New York Jets at Oakland Raiders – January 12th, 2002 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200201120rai.htm |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330212741/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200201120rai.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the ], the Raiders faced ] and the ]. In what was later called the "]", the Raiders lost in overtime 16–13, after officials reviewed an apparent Brady fumble, overturning the call on the field to be an incomplete pass, allowing the Patriots to kick the game-tying field goal, all in a severe snowstorm.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – Oakland Raiders at New England Patriots – January 19th, 2002 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200201190nwe.htm |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=October 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007170831/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200201190nwe.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cimini |first=Rich |date=January 19, 2016 |title=Tom Brady fumble ruled an incomplete pass leads to Patriots beating Raiders 16–13 in 2002 |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/snowy-replay-patriots-wayvinatieri-ices-game-ot-article-1.491741 |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=New York Daily News |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616182327/https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/snowy-replay-patriots-wayvinatieri-ices-game-ot-article-1.491741 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In 2002, Rice caught 92 passes for 1,211 yards and seven touchdowns, while being named to his 13th Pro Bowl team, and to the Second-team All-Pro team.<ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-3">{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 2002 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/2002/ |access-date=June 2, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602165241/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/2002/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/probowl.htm |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213063917/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/probowl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/allpro.htm |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326222427/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/allpro.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice's teammate, Raiders starting quarterback ], was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player for the 2002 season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2003 |agency=] |title=Record-setting Gannon edges Favre for MVP |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/2003/0101/1485320.html |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=] |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701091707/https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/2003/0101/1485320.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Against the ], where Rice had seven receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown, he surpassed ] as the all-time leader in scrimmage yards, with 21,281 scrimmage yards.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Crowley |first=John |date=September 30, 2002 |title=Rice sweetens record pile |page=4B |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/462533485/?terms=jerry%20rice&match=1 |access-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602165241/https://www.newspapers.com/image/462533485/?terms=jerry%20rice&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> He scored his 200th career touchdown against the ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Farmer |first=Sam |date=November 12, 2002 |title=Rice first player to score 200 touchdowns, breaks Payton's yardage record |pages=C1–C4 |work=] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/697102474/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602165242/https://www.newspapers.com/image/697102474/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Oakland finished the season with an 11–5 record and made the postseason.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 Oakland Raiders Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/2002.htm |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=January 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111170655/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/2002.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/index.htm |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=March 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328063426/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/ |url-status=live }}</ref> They won in the ] against the ], 30–10. Rice had a receiving touchdown in the win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – New York Jets at Oakland Raiders – January 12th, 2003 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200301120rai.htm |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=January 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165122/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200301120rai.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The team won in the ] against the ],<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship – Tennessee Titans at Oakland Raiders – January 19th, 2003 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200301190rai.htm |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=January 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165039/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200301190rai.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> 41–24, making it to ]. There, against the ], coached by former Raiders head coach ],<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeArdo |first=Bryan |date=January 27, 2021 |title=Buccaneers Super Bowl history: How Jon Gruden and Tampa Bay's '02 team ended nearly three decades of futility |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/buccaneers-super-bowl-history-how-jon-gruden-and-tampa-bays-02-team-ended-nearly-three-decades-of-futility/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616182750/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/buccaneers-super-bowl-history-how-jon-gruden-and-tampa-bays-02-team-ended-nearly-three-decades-of-futility/ |url-status=live }}</ref> they were defeated 21–48, with Gannon throwing five interceptions, including three for touchdowns, and Rice having five receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XXXVII – Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Oakland Raiders – January 26th, 2003 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200301260rai.htm |access-date=June 10, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=October 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013093309/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200301260rai.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Up to this point, Rice had been undefeated in the Super Bowl, having already won three with San Francisco.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=108}} The fact that he lost a Super Bowl overwhelmed him to the point of crying in his hotel room after the game.<ref name="NFL Network-2014"/> | |||
In Week 4 of the 2003 season, Rice had seven receptions for 126 receiving yards in the 34–31 victory of the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders – September 28th, 2003 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200309280rai.htm |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616183723/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200309280rai.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In Week 16, against the Green Bay Packers, he had ten receptions for 159 receiving yards in the 41–7 loss.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Green Bay Packers at Oakland Raiders – December 22nd, 2003 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200312220rai.htm |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603011351/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200312220rai.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Overall, in the 2003 season, Rice caught 63 passes for 869 yards; he didn't score a touchdown until the 12th game of the season, scoring only two through the whole year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 2003 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/2003/ |access-date=June 3, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603011307/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/2003/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Oakland as a team regressed from their 11–5 record in 2002 to a 4–12 record in 2003, leading to the firing of head coach ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2003 Oakland Raiders Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/2003.htm |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=February 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224193359/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/2003.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McCauley |first=Janie |date=December 31, 2003 |title=Raiders Fire Callahan After 4–12 Season |url=https://apnews.com/article/ba805db80f794f50b604a6f9e592c56b |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}</ref><ref name="espn.com-2004">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=1901415 |title=Frustration grows in Rice |website=] |agency=] |date=October 14, 2004 |access-date=September 8, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107060526/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1901415 |url-status=live }}</ref> This led Rice to be frustrated about his role with the team.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|pp=108–109}} | |||
By the time the 2004 season was starting, Rice struggled, and by the fourth game of the season, Rice had five receptions for only 64 yards.<ref name="espn.com-2004" /> Because of this, he asked Raiders owner ] to trade him.<ref name="espn.com-2004" /> | |||
==== Seattle Seahawks ==== | |||
Rice was traded to the ] six games into the 2004 season in exchange for a seventh round pick and reunited with Seattle head coach ], who had previously worked with Rice as San Francisco's offensive coordinator.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cour |first=Jim |date=October 20, 2004 |title=Rice's trade to Seahawks reunites star wide receiver with Holmgren |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2004/oct/20/rices-trade-to-seahawks-reunites-star-wide/ |access-date=April 15, 2023 |website=The Spokesman-Review |agency=] |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814011946/https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2004/oct/20/rices-trade-to-seahawks-reunites-star-wide/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After speaking with ], Rice was permitted to wear Largent's retired jersey No. 80.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 20, 2004 |title=NFL legend's No. 1 job: Help Hawks win, With Steve Largent's blessing, Jerry Rice is eager to put on No. 80 and help take Seattle to the next level. |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NewsLibrary&p_multi=TNTB&d_place=TNTB&p_theme=newslibrary2&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=105DBFCEAAB1B385&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025234119/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NewsLibrary&p_multi=TNTB&d_place=TNTB&p_theme=newslibrary2&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=105DBFCEAAB1B385&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |access-date=January 28, 2013 |website=The News Tribune |via=NewsLibrary.com}}</ref> In a ''Monday Night Football'' game against the ], Rice set the career record for combined net yards by catching a 27-yard touchdown pass from ], his 35th career record.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=1940143 |title=Rice sets his 35th NFL record |website=] |agency=] |date=December 6, 2004 |access-date=September 8, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107060855/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1940143 |url-status=live }}</ref> He finished that game eight receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown.<ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-15">{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 2004 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/2004/ |access-date=June 2, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602180446/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/2004/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In total Rice had 25 receptions for 362 receiving yards and three touchdowns with the Seahawks, having 30 receptions for 429 yards and three touchdowns in total for the season.<ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-15" /> At age 41, he managed to play 17 games in a 16-game season, as he was traded before Oakland's ] and after Seattle's, and never missed a game, so he played six games for the Raiders and 11 for the Seahawks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Mike |date=January 14, 2023 |title=Looking Back at 49ers Great Jerry Rice's Lone Season With the Seahawks, a Year He Played 17 Games in a 16-Game Season |url=https://www.sportscasting.com/looking-back-at-49ers-great-jerry-rices-lone-season-with-the-seahawks-a-year-he-played-17-games-in-a-16-game-season/ |access-date=April 15, 2023 |website=Sportscasting |language=en-US |archive-date=April 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415231652/https://www.sportscasting.com/looking-back-at-49ers-great-jerry-rices-lone-season-with-the-seahawks-a-year-he-played-17-games-in-a-16-game-season/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Rice played his last non-preseason professional game for Seattle, a ] to the ] in which he did not catch a pass.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card – St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks – January 8th, 2005 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200501080sea.htm |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701091658/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200501080sea.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
===Denver Broncos=== | |||
After the 2004 season, Rice signed a one-year contract worth $790,000 in total salary with the ] which was his lowest contract offer in his 20 years in the league.<ref>{{cite news |last=Germano |first=Barbara Jean |date=May 26, 2005 |title=Broncos give Rice a chance to extend career |work=USA Today |agency=] |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/broncos/2005-05-25-rice-signing_x.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=April 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205058/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/broncos/2005-05-25-rice-signing_x.htm |archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref> Rice never played for the Broncos, therefore he was only allowed his guaranteed money for a grand total of $25,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saunders |first=Patrick |date=May 25, 2005 |title=Star receiver Jerry Rice to join Broncos |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2005/05/25/star-receiver-jerry-rice-to-join-broncos/ |access-date=April 15, 2023 |website=The Denver Post |language=en-US |archive-date=April 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415232603/https://www.denverpost.com/2005/05/25/star-receiver-jerry-rice-to-join-broncos/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
==== Retirement ==== | |||
Just before the 2005 season, on September 5, 2005, Rice announced his retirement after 20 seasons.<ref>{{cite news | first1=Gina | last1=Pace | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/football-legend-jerry-rice-retires/ | publisher=CBS News | title=Football Legend Jerry Rice Retires | date=September 5, 2005 | access-date=April 2, 2017 | archive-date=November 11, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111182651/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/09/05/archive/main816606.shtml | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NFL Network-2014"/> In August 2006, the 49ers announced that Rice would sign a contract with them, allowing him to retire as a member of the team where his NFL career began. On August 24, he officially retired as a 49er, signing a one-day contract for $1,985,806.49. The number represented the year Rice was drafted (1985), his No. 80, the year he retired (2006), and the 49ers (49). The figure was ceremonial, and Rice received no money.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 24, 2006 |title=Rice signs one-day deal to retire as a 49er |work=USA Today |agency=] |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/niners/2006-08-24-rice-ceremony_x.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=August 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130813142115/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/niners/2006-08-24-rice-ceremony_x.htm |archive-date=August 13, 2013}}</ref> A halftime ceremony honored him during the 49ers' match-up with the Seattle Seahawks on November 19, 2006.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jerry Rice: One Retirement Isn't Enough|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/story?id=2337394&page=1|access-date=April 2, 2017|publisher=ABC News|date=August 21, 2006|archive-date=April 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403194722/http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/story?id=2337394&page=1|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
== Legacy == | |||
] at ]]] | |||
Rice holds numerous NFL receiving records. His 197 career touchdown receptions are 41 scores more than the second place of 156 touchdown receptions by ]; his 208 total touchdowns (197 receiving, ten rushing, and one fumble recovery) are 33 scores ahead of ]'s second-place total of 175.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Career Touchdowns Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/all_td_no_other_career.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925095548/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/all_td_no_other_career.htm |archive-date=September 25, 2015 |access-date=September 23, 2015 |website=]}}</ref> His 22,895 career receiving yards are 5,403 yards ahead of the second-place ]. His 1,256 career points scored make him the highest-scoring non-] in NFL history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Points Scored Career Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/scoring_career.htm |access-date=April 15, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> Many of these records are considered by sports analysts to be unbreakable.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schalter |first=Ty |date=June 20, 2013 |title=What Is the Most Unbreakable Record in the NFL? |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1677926-what-is-the-most-unbreakable-record-in-the-nfl |access-date=June 13, 2022 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pereles |first=Zachary |date=August 2, 2022 |title=The most unbreakable sports records still being chased: Jerry Rice, Wilt Chamberlain, Wayne Gretzky stand out |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/the-most-unbreakable-sports-records-still-being-chased-jerry-rice-wilt-chamberlain-wayne-gretzky-stand-out/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kleinschmidt |first=Jessica |date=July 20, 2020 |title=This shows just how untouchable Jerry Rice's all-time NFL records are |url=https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nfl/this-shows-just-how-untouchable-jerry-rices-all-time-nfl-records-are/1269856/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=NBC Sports Bay Area & California |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 7, 2015 |title=Jerry Rice Owns Most Unbreakable Record in NFL History |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/jerry-rice-owns-most-unbreakable-record-in-nfl-history-15469450 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=49ers.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 25, 2022 |title=Emmitt Smith's rushing yards mark headlines our list of unbreakable records |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34872477/sports-most-unbreakable-records |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> During a career spanning two decades, Rice averaged 75.6 receiving yards per game.<ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-1" /> He received MVP votes in six out of his 20 seasons, finishing as the runner-up twice in 1987 and 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nedrich |first=Jason |date=March 4, 2010 |title=2010 Hall Of Fame: The NFL's All-Time Greatest Is Still Jerry Rice |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/356219-2010-hall-of-fame-the-nfls-all-time-greatest-is-still-jerry-rice |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1987 Awards Voting |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/awards_1987.htm |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1995 Awards Voting |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/awards_1995.htm |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=]}}</ref> He won two NFL Offensive Player of The Year Awards, and a ] in 1987.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cialini |first=Joe |date=January 15, 1988 |title=Rice wins Bert Bell award |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/01/15/Rice-wins-Bert-Bell-award/4481569221200/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> | |||
Rice is remembered as one of the best clutch players in football history, often making game-winning catches throughout his career. Rice also was noted as an effective blocking receiver.{{Sfn|O'Brien|2005|p=46}} Rice's "famous" catching ability, sometimes attributed to him having to catch bricks when working with his father during his childhood, led him to 1,549 career receptions, 117 ahead of the second-place Fitzgerald.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Receptions Career Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_career.htm |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=16}} | |||
Despite being keen about his public image early in his career, Rice is remembered for his work ethic and dedication.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|pp=90, 11, 15, 16}} He still cared extensively about his physical appearance, often tailoring his uniform and jersey, and combed his hair before putting on his helmet; his philosophy was: "If you look good, feel good, you'll play good", as described by Shawn Rogers, one of his friends.<ref name="NFL Network-2014"/> In his 20 NFL seasons, Rice missed only 17 regular season games, 14 of them in the 1997 season and the other three in the strike-shortened season of 1987; his 303 games are the most ever by an NFL wide receiver by a wide margin.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=119}} In addition to staying on the field, his work ethic showed in his dedication to conditioning and running precise routes, with coach ] calling him "the best route runner I've ever seen".{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=8}} One of the best-known examples of his dedication and ethic was "The Hill," a steep hill in ] that is {{convert|2.5|mi|km|0}} long. Rice would sprint across the hill every day during the offseason to improve his abilities.{{Sfn|Sterngass|2008|p=91}} | |||
] | |||
In 1999, Rice was ranked No. 2 on the '']''' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, behind only ], and was 35 places ahead of the next-highest-ranked player then active, ].<ref name=SN100/> In 2000, Rice won the ESPY Award for Pro Football Player of the Decade for the 1990s. On November 4, 2010, he was ranked No. 1 on '']''.<ref name="Barall-2010">{{Cite web |last=Barall |first=Andy |date=November 5, 2010 |title=Jim Brown Should Be No. 1, but What About Most Underrated? |url=https://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/jim-brown-should-be-no-1-but-what-about-most-underrated/ |access-date=June 9, 2022 |website=The Fifth Down |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2011, The Sports Network awarded the inaugural ], to be given each year to the most outstanding freshman ] (formerly I-AA) player. The inaugural winner was ] running back ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/7518684/jerry-rice-award-humbles-namesake-college-football |title=Jerry Rice Award humbles its namesake |website=] |date=January 30, 2012 |access-date=February 7, 2012 |last=Hunt |first=Donald |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628010218/http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7518684/jerry-rice-award-humbles-namesake-college-football |archive-date=June 28, 2016 }}</ref> | |||
In January 2015, Rice stated that he put ], a substance that makes the ball easier to catch and hold on to, on his gloves during his career, saying: "I know this might be a little illegal, guys, but you put a little spray, a little Stickum on them, to make sure that texture is a little sticky."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Edholm|first1=Eric|title=Jerry Rice calls out 'cheating' Patriots but admitted to using stickum|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/jerry-rice-calls-out--cheating--patriots-but-admitted-to-using-stickum-200324269.html;_ylt=AwrBT9iiNtVUQDkAhPtXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzZzM0Ym82BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMgRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1ZJUDI4NF8x|publisher=Yahoo! Sports|date=February 6, 2015|access-date=February 6, 2015|archive-date=February 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207004908/http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/jerry-rice-calls-out--cheating--patriots-but-admitted-to-using-stickum-200324269.html;_ylt=AwrBT9iiNtVUQDkAhPtXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzZzM0Ym82BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMgRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1ZJUDI4NF8x|url-status=live}}</ref> Stickum and similar adhesives were banned in the NFL in 1981, four years before Rice joined the league; he commented that "all players" in his era used the substance.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-deflategate-jerry-rice-admits-to-cheating-20150206-story.html|title=Hall of Famer Jerry Rice admits to cheating with stickum|first=Matt|last=Wilhalme|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=February 6, 2015|access-date=April 2, 2017|archive-date=August 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830182243/http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-deflategate-jerry-rice-admits-to-cheating-20150206-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first1=Jared|last1=Dubin|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25061760/jerry-rice-on-stickum-use-all-players-did-it|title=Jerry Rice on stickum use: 'All players did it'|work=CBS Sports|date=February 7, 2015|access-date=April 2, 2017|archive-date=April 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401053550/http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25061760/jerry-rice-on-stickum-use-all-players-did-it|url-status=live}}</ref> The claims were rebutted by Pro Football Hall of Fame members ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|first1=Mike|last1=Florio|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/09/cris-carter-says-he-never-used-stickum/|title=Cris Carter says he never used stickum|website=profootballtalk.com|publisher=NBC Sports|date=February 9, 2015|access-date=April 2, 2017|archive-date=March 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320003649/http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/09/cris-carter-says-he-never-used-stickum/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first1=Mike|last1=Florio|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/12/irvin-strongly-denies-using-stickum/|title=Irvin strongly denies using stickum|website=profootballtalk.com|publisher=NBC Sports|date=February 12, 2015|access-date=April 2, 2017|archive-date=March 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320010006/http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/12/irvin-strongly-denies-using-stickum/|url-status=live}}</ref> Rice retracted his claim shortly thereafter, stating that he "never used Stickum."<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 15, 2015 |title=Jerry Rice Backtracks |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/49ers/jerry-rice-backtracks-never-used-stickum |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701104654/https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/49ers/jerry-rice-backtracks-never-used-stickum |archive-date=July 1, 2019 |access-date=July 3, 2019 |website=NBC Sports}}</ref> | |||
Rice was selected for induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2010 in his first year of eligibility.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |date=February 7, 2010 |title=Tearful Rice and Smith Lead Class of Seven to Hall of Fame |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/sports/football/07fame.html |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}</ref> He was inducted in ], on August 7, 2010, alongside ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilner |first=Barry |date=August 8, 2010|agency=] |title=Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice give Hall of Fame class star power |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/nfl/2010/08/08/emmitt-smith-jerry-rice-give-hall-fame-class-star-power/15935510007/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=The Florida Times-Union |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Wood |first=Skip |title=Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith lead NFL's 2010 Hall of Fame class |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2010-02-07-rice-smith-hall-of-fame_N.htm |access-date=April 2, 2017 |work=USA Today |date=February 7, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005185032/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2010-02-07-rice-smith-hall-of-fame_N.htm |archive-date=October 5, 2012 }}</ref> On September 20, 2010, during halftime of a game against the Saints, the 49ers ] Rice's No. 80 jersey.<ref name="espn.com-2010">{{cite news |date=September 20, 2010 |title=49ers retire Jerry Rice's number at half |work=ESPN.com |agency=] |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5598144 |url-status=live |access-date=April 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403194747/http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5598144 |archive-date=April 3, 2017}}</ref> He was officially named to both the ] and the ].<ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-17">{{Cite web |title=NFL 100 All Time Team |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-100-all-time-team.htm |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="NFL.com">{{Cite web |title=NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team |url=https://www.nfl.com/photos/nfl-75th-anniversary-all-time-team-09000d5d808fe7f2 |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}</ref> During his career, he was included in the ] and the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Teams – 1980s |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/ |access-date=April 15, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Teams – 1990s |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/ |access-date=April 15, 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
==NFL career statistics== | |||
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" | |||
! colspan="2"| Legend | |||
|- | |||
| style="background:#ffd700; width:3em;"| | |||
| AP ] | |||
|- | |||
| style="background:#f4c842; width:3em;"| | |||
| ] | |||
|- | |||
| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"| | |||
| Won the ] | |||
|- | |||
| style="background:#e0cef2; width:3em;"| | |||
| NFL record | |||
|- | |||
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| | |||
| Led the league | |||
|- | |||
| '''Bold''' | |||
| Career high | |||
|} | |||
===Regular season=== | |||
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||
|- | |||
! rowspan="2"| Year | |||
! rowspan="2"| Team | |||
! colspan="2"| Games | |||
! colspan="5"| Receiving | |||
! colspan="5"| Rushing | |||
! colspan="2"| Fumbles | |||
! rowspan="2"| Other<br/>TDs | |||
|- | |||
! GP !! GS !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Fum !! Lost | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 16 || 4 || 49 || 927 || 18.9 || 66 || 3 || 6 || 26 || 4.3 || 15 || 1 || 0 || 0 || — | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 16 || 15 || 86 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 1,570 || 18.3 || 66 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 15 || 10 || 72 || 7.2 || 18 || 1 || 0 || 0 || — | |||
|- | |||
! style="background:#ffd700;"|] !! ] | |||
| 12 || 12 || 65 || 1,078 || 16.6 || 57 || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''22''' || 8 || 51 || 6.4 || 17 || 1 || 0 || 0 || — | |||
|- | |||
! style="background:#f4c842;"|] !! style="background:#afe6ba;"|] | |||
| 16 || 16 || 64 || 1,306 || '''20.4''' || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''96''' | |||
| 9 || '''13''' || '''107''' || 8.2 || 29 || 1 || 0 || 0 || — | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! style="background:#afe6ba;"|] | |||
| 16 || 16 || 82 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 1,483 || 18.1 || 68 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 17 || 5 || 33 || 6.6 || 17 || 0 || 0 || 0 || — | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 16 || 16 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 100 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 1,502 || 15.0 || 64 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 13 || 2 || 0 || 0.0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || — | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 16 || 16 || 80 || 1,206 || 15.1 || 73 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 14 || 1 || 2 || 2.0 || 2 || 0 || 1 || 0 || — | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 16 || 16 || 84 || 1,201 || 14.3 || 80 || 10 || 9 || 58 || 6.4 || 26 || 1 || 2 || 1 || — | |||
|- | |||
! style="background:#ffd700;"|] !! ] | |||
| 16 || 16 || 98 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 1,503 || 15.3 || 80 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 15 || 3 || 69 || '''23.0''' || '''43''' || 1 || '''3''' || 0 || — | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! style="background:#afe6ba;"|] | |||
| 16 || 16 || 112 || style="background:#cfecec"| 1,499 || 13.4 || 69 || 13 || 7 || 93 || 13.3 || 28 || '''2''' || 1 || 1 || — | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 16 || 16 || '''122''' || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''1,848''' || 15.1 || 81 || 15 || 5 || 36 || 7.2 || 20 || 1 || '''3''' || '''3''' || '''1''' | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 16 || 16 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 108 || 1,254 || 11.6 || 39 || 8 || 11 || 77 || 7.0 || 38 || 1 || 0 || 0 || — | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 2 || 1 || 7 || 78 || 11.1 || 16 || 1 || 1 || −10 || −10.0 || −10 || 0 || 0 || 0 || — | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 16 || 16 || 82 || 1,157 || 14.1 || 75 || 9 || — || — || — || — || — || 2 || 2 || — | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 16 || 16 || 67 || 830 || 12.4 || 62 || 5 || 2 || 13 || 6.5 || 11 || 0 || 0 || 0 || — | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 16 || 16 || 75 || 805 || 10.7 || 68 || 7 || 1 || −2 || −2.0 || −2 || 0 || '''3''' || 2 || — | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 16 || 15 || 83 || 1,139 || 13.7 || 40 || 9 || — || — || — || — || — || 1 || 0 || — | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 16 || 16 || 92 || 1,211 || 13.2 || 75 || 7 || 3 || 20 || 6.7 || 12 || 0 || 1 || 1 || — | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 16 || 15 || 63 || 869 || 13.8 || 47 || 2 || — || — || — || — || — || 2 || 1 || — | |||
|- | |||
! rowspan="2"|] !! ] | |||
| 6 || 5 || 5 || 67 || 13.4 || 18 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || 0 || 0 || — | |||
|- | |||
! ] | |||
| 11 || 9 || 25 || 362 || 14.5 || 56 || 3 || — || — || — || — || — || 0 || 0 || — | |||
|- | |||
! colspan="2"| !! 303 !! 284 !! style="background:#e0cef2;"| 1,549 !! style="background:#e0cef2;"| 22,895 !! 14.8 !! 96 !! style="background:#e0cef2;"| 197 !! 87 !! 645 !! 7.4 !! 43 !! 10 !! 19 !! 11 !! 1 | |||
|} | |||
=== Postseason === | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||
|- | |||
! rowspan="2"| Year | |||
! rowspan="2"| Team | |||
! colspan="2"| Games | |||
! colspan="5"| Receiving | |||
! colspan="5"| Rushing | |||
! colspan="2"| Fumbles | |||
|- | |||
! GP !! GS !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Fum !! Lost | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 1 || 1 || 4 || 45 || 11.3 || 20 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || '''1''' || 0 | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 1 || 1 || 3 || 48 || 16.0 || 24 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || '''1''' || '''1''' | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 1 || 1 || 3 || 28 || 9.3 || 13 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || 0 || 0 | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! style="background:#afe6ba;"|] | |||
| 3 || 3 || '''21''' || '''409''' || '''19.5''' || 61 | |||
| '''6''' || '''3''' || '''29''' || 9.7 || '''21''' || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! style="background:#afe6ba;"|] | |||
| 3 || 3 || 19 || 317 || 16.7 || '''72''' || 5 || — || — || — || — || — || 0 || 0 | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 2 || 2 || 11 || 122 || 11.1 || 19 || 1 || — || — || — || — || — || 0 || 0 | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 2 || 2 || 14 || 211 || 15.1 || 36 || 1 || 1 || 9 || 9.0 || 9 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 2 || 2 || 9 || 126 || 14.0 || 23 || 0 || 1 || −9 || −9.0 || −9 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! style="background:#afe6ba;"|] | |||
| 3 || 3 || 16 || 233 || 14.6 || 44 || 4 || 1 || 10 || '''10.0''' || 10 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 1 || 1 || 11 || 117 || 10.6 || 32 || 0 || 1 || 5 || 5.0 || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 2 || 2 || 9 || 86 || 9.6 || 36 || 1 || — || — || — || — || — || 0 || 0 | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 0 || 0 || colspan="12"| ''did not play due to injury'' | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 2 || 2 || 4 || 69 || 17.3 || 38 || 1 || — || — || — || — || — || 0 || 0 | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 2 || 2 || 13 || 231 || 17.8 || 47 || 1 || — || — || — || — || — || 0 || 0 | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 3 || 3 || 14 || 362 || 14.5 || 48 || 2 || — || — || — || — || — || '''1''' || 0 | |||
|- | |||
! ] !! ] | |||
| 1 || 1 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 0 || 0 | |||
|- | |||
! colspan="2"| !! 29 !! 29 !! 151 !! style="background:#e0cef2;"| 2,245 !! 14.9 !! 72 !! style="background:#e0cef2;"| 22 !! 7 !! 44 !! 6.3 !! 21 !! 0 !! 3 !! 1 | |||
|} | |||
== NFL records == | |||
As of the end of the 2015 NFL season, Rice holds the following league records:<ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-1" /><ref name="FoxRecords">{{Cite web |date=August 4, 2010 |title=Rice's receiving records untouchable |url=http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/jerry-rice-nfl-hall-of-fame-receiving-records-career-080410 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425171951/https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/rices-receiving-records-untouchable |archive-date=April 25, 2021 |access-date=June 14, 2017 |website=FOX Sports}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=2016 Official NFL Record and Fact Book|date=2016|publisher=National Football League|url=http://www.nfl.com/static/content/public/photo/2015/07/21/0ap3000000502939.pdf|access-date=May 2, 2017|editor1-last=Lee|editor1-first=Brenden|editor2-last=Gellerman|editor2-first=Jacob|editor3-last=Marini|editor3-first=Matt|archive-date=November 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106030504/http://www.nfl.com/static/content/public/photo/2015/07/21/0ap3000000502939.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
* Most career receiving yards: 22,895<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Receiving Yards Career Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_yds_career.htm |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=]}}</ref> | |||
* Most career receptions: 1,549 | |||
* Most career touchdown receptions: 197 | |||
* Most career yards from scrimmage: 23,540 (22,895 receiving, 645 rushing)<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Yards From Scrimmage Career Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/yds_from_scrimmage_career.htm |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
* Most career touchdowns from scrimmage: 207 (197 receiving, 10 rushing)<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Touchdowns Career Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/all_td_career.htm |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
* Most career all purpose yards: 23,546 (22,895 receiving, 645 rushing, 6 kick returns)<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL All-Purpose Yards Career Leaders (since 1945) |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/all_purpose_yds_career.htm |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
* Most career all purpose touchdowns: 208 (197 receiving, 10 rushing, 1 fumble recovery) | |||
* Most career postseason receiving yards: 2,245<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Receiving Yards Career Playoffs Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_yds_career_playoffs.htm |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
* Most career postseason touchdown receptions: 22<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Receiving Touchdowns Career Playoffs Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_td_career_playoffs.htm |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
* Most career Super Bowl receiving yards: 589<ref name="superbowlpfr">{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/super-bowl/leaders.htm |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
* Most career Super Bowl receptions: 33<ref name="superbowlpfr" /> | |||
* Most career Super Bowl touchdown receptions: 8<ref name="superbowlpfr" /> | |||
* Most career Super Bowl points scored: 48<ref name="superbowlpfr" /> | |||
* Most receiving yards in one Super Bowl: 215<ref name="superbowlpfr" /> | |||
* Most receiving touchdowns in one Super Bowl: 3<ref name="superbowlpfr" /> | |||
* Most games of 100 or more receiving yards: 76<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tabeek |first=Matthew |date=January 21, 2020 |title=Julio Jones pulls out of Pro Bowl, replaced by Davante Adams |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/julio-jones-pulls-out-of-pro-bowl-replaced-by-davante-adams |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
* Most consecutive games with a reception: 274<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dedaj |first=Paulina |date=September 19, 2023 |title=This day in sports history: Jerry Rice ends remarkable NFL streak, Mariano Rivera saves the day |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/this-day-sports-history-jerry-rice-ends-remarkable-nfl-streak-mariano-rivera-saves-day |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
* Most consecutive games with a touchdown from scrimmage: 13 | |||
* Most seasons of 1,000 or more receiving yards: 14 | |||
* Fastest player to reach 100 touchdown receptions: 120 games | |||
* Fastest player to reach 14,000 receiving yards: 164 games | |||
* Fastest player to reach 15,000 receiving yards: 172 games | |||
* Most points scored by a non-kicker: 1,256<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2015 |title=Vinatieri Becomes 1st Player to Score 1,000 Points for Multiple Teams |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2575730-vinatieri-becomes-1st-player-to-score-1000-points-for-multiple-teams |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref> | |||
* Most games played by a wide receiver: 303 (leads all non-kickers and non-quarterbacks)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=December 23, 2020 |title=Tom Brady: 300 Games is 'Pretty Cool' |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/tom-brady-300-career-nfl-games-reaction-bucs-lions-week-16 |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=Buccaneers.com |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
* Oldest player to catch a touchdown in a Super Bowl: 40 years, 105 days<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oldest players to record a receiving touchdown in the Super Bowl, NFL history |url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/who-is-the-oldest-player-to-have-a-receiving-touchdown-in-a-super-bowl |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=StatMuse |language=en}}</ref> | |||
* Most receiving touchdowns in a game: 5 (tied with Kellen Winslow and Bob Shaw)<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Receiving Touchdowns Single Game Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_td_single_game.htm |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
== Awards and honors == | |||
Throughout his collegiate and professional career, Rice has won the following awards and honors:<ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-1" /><ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-16" /><ref name="NFL.com" /><ref name="Pro-Football-Ref-17" /><ref name="espn.com-2010" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Cohn |first=Grant |date=July 11, 2021 |title=Players Who Should Be in the 49ers Hall of Fame But Aren't Yet |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/49ers/news/players-who-should-be-in-the-49ers-hall-of-fame-but-arent-yet |access-date=September 5, 2022 |magazine=] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Nissenson-1983" /><ref name="Services-1984" /> | |||
=== NFL === | |||
* 3× ] (], ], ]) | |||
* ] (]) | |||
* 2× ] (], ]) | |||
* 6× ] (1986, 1989, 1990, 1993–1995) | |||
* 2× ] (1990, 1996) | |||
* 6× ] (1986, 1987, 1989–1991, 1993) | |||
* ] (1987)<ref>{{Cite web |title=1987 NFL Scoring Summary |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1987/scoring.htm |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
* 13× ] (1986–1996, 1998, 2002) | |||
* 10× ] (1986–1990, 1992–1996) | |||
* ] (2002) | |||
* ] (1985) | |||
* ] (1987)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bert Bell Award (Player of the Year) Winners |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/bert-bell-award.htm |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=]}}</ref> | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* No. 80 ]<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 21, 2010 |title=49ers retire No. 80 jersey of Hall of Famer Rice |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5598144 |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=]|agency=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
* ]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nowels |first=Michael |date=January 21, 2020 |title=49ers: Jerry Rice book event set for Tuesday night in San Jose |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/01/21/49ers-jerry-rice-book-event-set-for-tuesday-night-in-san-jose/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
=== NCAA === | |||
* 2× First-team ] ] (1983, 1984) | |||
== Personal life == | |||
Rice married Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell on September 8, 1987. Jacqueline Rice filed for divorce in June 2007, which became final in late December 2009. They have three children together: Jaqui Bonet (born 1987), ] (born 1991), and Jada Symone (born 1996). Jerry Jr., who attended high school at ] in ], graduated in 2009. Jerry Jr. was a walk-on at ] and redshirted his first season.<ref name="Uclabruins.com-1991">{{Cite web |date=July 27, 1991 |title=Player Bio: Jerry Rice, Jr. – UCLA Official Athletic Site |url=http://www.uclabruins.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/ricejr_jerry00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430100450/http://www.uclabruins.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/ricejr_jerry00.html |archive-date=April 30, 2011 |access-date=April 24, 2011 |website=UCLA Bruins Athletics}}</ref><ref name="Paloaltoonline.com-2009">{{Cite web |date=March 26, 2009 |title=Menlo's Jerry Rice Jr. commits to UCLA |url=http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=11754 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320014225/http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=11754 |archive-date=March 20, 2012 |access-date=September 8, 2012 |website=Palo Alto Online}}</ref> After three seasons and limited playing time, Jerry Jr. graduated from UCLA and transferred to ], and was eligible to play immediately.<ref name="Uclabruins.com-1991" /> Jerry Jr. played wide receiver for the ], and participated in a 49ers local pro day before the ], but was not drafted.<ref name="ESPN-2014">{{Cite web |date=May 13, 2014 |title=Reports: Ravens invite Jerry Rice Jr. |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/10925080/baltimore-ravens-invite-jerry-rice-jr-rookie-minicamp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517011847/http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10925080/baltimore-ravens-invite-jerry-rice-jr-rookie-minicamp |archive-date=May 17, 2014 |access-date=May 14, 2014 |website=]}}</ref> Jerry has another son, ], who played football for the University of Colorado for two years. On January 1, 2022, it was announced that Brenden was transferring to the University of Southern California.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=McCarty |first=Andrew |date=January 1, 2022 |title=Brenden Rice, Son Of NFL Legend Jerry Rice, Announces Transfer |url=https://thespun.com/college-football/brenden-rice-son-of-nfl-legend-jerry-rice-announces-transfer |access-date=January 1, 2022 |magazine=]}}</ref> As of October 21, 2019, Rice is married to Latisha Pelayo whom he had dated since 2008.<ref name="secondmar">{{Cite web |last=Kimble |first=Lindsey |date=October 21, 2019 |title=NFL Legend Jerry Rice Marries Latisha Pelayo in Napa Ceremony |url=https://people.com/sports/jerry-rice-marries-latisha-pelayo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106221328/https://people.com/sports/jerry-rice-marries-latisha-pelayo/ |archive-date=November 6, 2019 |access-date=November 6, 2019 |website=People.com}}</ref> | |||
Rice is a ]. He said he was raised as a Christian and still maintains the same faith from his youth.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hall of Fame Special with Jerry Rice, Troy Polamalu and Isaac Bruce |url=https://faithonthefieldshow.com/hall-of-fame-special-with-jerry-rice-troy-polamalu-and-isaac-bruce/ |website=Faith On The Field |access-date=October 11, 2023}}</ref> | |||
=== After football === | |||
] in 2009]] | |||
During the 2005–2006 broadcasting season, Rice competed in the ] '']''. He paired with dancer ], and they reached the final two before losing to singer ] and his partner ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Brian |date=March 14, 2020 |title='Dancing with the Stars': Every Athlete Who Ever Competed |url=https://popculture.com/sports/news/dancing-with-the-stars-every-athlete-competed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807154736/https://popculture.com/sports/news/dancing-with-the-stars-every-athlete-competed/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |access-date=February 11, 2021 |website=PopCulture.com}}</ref> In 2009, Rice portrayed Hal Gore in the film '']''. In the same year, he guest-starred as himself in the episode "Lyin' King" on the ] '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2022 |title=Rules of Engagement: Season 3, Episode 5 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/rules-of-engagement/s03/e05 |access-date=June 11, 2022 |website=]}}</ref> Rice has co-authored two books about his life: ''Rice'' (with Michael Silver, published 1996, {{ISBN|0-312-14795-3}}) and ''Go Long: My Journey Beyond the Game and the Fame'' (with Brian Curtis, published 2007, {{ISBN|0-345-49611-6}}).<ref name="Allbookstores.com">{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice Books – List of books by Jerry Rice |url=https://www.allbookstores.com/Jerry-Rice/author |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=All Bookstores |language=en}}</ref> In 2019, he co-authored a book ''America's Game: The NFL at 100'' (with Randy O. Williams, {{ISBN|978-0062692900}}), celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Football League.<ref name="Allbookstores.com" /> Rice and his dog, Nitus, were featured in ''Jerry Rice & Nitus' Dog Football'', a video game for the ] that was released on August 16, 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 16, 2011 |title=Jerry Rice & Nitus' Dog Football Wii |url=http://wii.ign.com/objects/115/115086.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118191612/http://wii.ign.com/objects/115/115086.html |archive-date=January 18, 2012 |access-date=September 26, 2011 |website=IGN.com}}</ref> Rice served as an alumni captain for "Team Rice" during the ] and ]s.<ref name="NFL-2013">{{cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/2014-pro-bowl-features-new-format-for-nfl-all-star-game-0ap1000000224052 |title=2014 Pro Bowl features new format for NFL all-star game |website=NFL.com |publisher=National Football League |date=July 31, 2013 |access-date=September 15, 2013 |archive-date=December 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212051247/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000224052/article/2014-pro-bowl-features-new-format-for-nfl-allstar-game |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Sports Illustrated-2016">{{cite magazine |date=January 27, 2016 |title=Michael Irvin, Jerry Rice draft Pro Bowl teams |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/01/27/pro-bowl-2016-teams-irvin-rice-rosters |url-status=live |access-date=April 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404043125/https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/01/27/pro-bowl-2016-teams-irvin-rice-rosters |archive-date=April 4, 2017}}</ref> In 2022, Rice partnered with the ] to raise awareness about ]s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gaydos |first=Ryan |date=April 18, 2022 |title=NFL legend Jerry Rice fights through fear of needles to partner with Red Cross, advocates for blood donations |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nfl-jerry-rice-needles-red-cross-blood-donations |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
Rice has played golf for over 20 years and woke up early to play golf during his football career.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ritter |first=Jeff |date=July 7, 2017 |title=Jerry Rice has found his post-football competitive spirit playing golf |url=https://golf.com/news/jerry-rice-has-found-his-post-football-competitive-spirit-playing-golf/ |access-date=June 6, 2022 |website=Golf |language=en-US}}</ref> He competed in the ] on the ] on April 15–16, 2010, receiving a sponsor's exemption to play in the tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strege |first=John |date=April 15, 2010 |title=Jerry Rice: Why? |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/jerry-rice-why |access-date=June 6, 2022 |website=The Loop |language=en}}</ref> Rice missed the cut and finished one shot ahead of last place, 17-over and 151st among the 152 players who completed two rounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-jerry-rice-misses-cut-in-nationwide-tour-event-2010apr16-story.html |title=Jerry Rice misses cut in Nationwide Tour event |work=] |agency=] |date=April 16, 2010 |access-date=December 20, 2023 |location=Hayward, CA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220101219/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-jerry-rice-misses-cut-in-nationwide-tour-event-2010apr16-story.html |archive-date=December 20, 2023 }}</ref> He was a team captain on ] Puerto Rico, where his team won.<ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Marty |date=September 22, 2013 |title=Napa golfer rejoins 'Big Break,' teamed with Jerry Rice |url=https://napavalleyregister.com/sports/napa-golfer-rejoins-big-break-teamed-with-jerry-rice/article_4bcccec2-240c-11e3-bdc3-0019bb2963f4.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225044237/https://napavalleyregister.com/sports/napa-golfer-rejoins-big-break-teamed-with-jerry-rice/article_4bcccec2-240c-11e3-bdc3-0019bb2963f4.html |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |access-date=May 13, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2013 |title=Jerry Rice Wins 'Big Break NFL' |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/jerry-rice-wins-big-break-nfl-12193861 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308132025/https://www.49ers.com/news/jerry-rice-wins-big-break-nfl-12193861 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |access-date=May 13, 2020 |website=49ers.com}}</ref> | |||
After ] announced that he would be ] during games, Rice criticized his actions, stating in a Twitter post: "]. So much going on in this world today. Can we all just get along! Colin, I respect your stance but don't disrespect the Flag".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marans |first=Daniel |date=August 30, 2016 |title=Jerry Rice Rebukes Colin Kaepernick: 'All Lives Matter' |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jerry-rice-colin-kaepernick-all-lives-matter_n_57c5a2a6e4b0664f13ca9a3b |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604032011/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jerry-rice-colin-kaepernick-all-lives-matter_n_57c5a2a6e4b0664f13ca9a3b |archive-date=June 4, 2022 |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref> He backtracked these statements later that month, after being criticized by the public and other players.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brinson |first=Will |date=September 21, 2016 |title=Jerry Rice changes his mind on Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the anthem |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jerry-rice-changes-his-mind-on-colin-kaepernick-kneeling-during-the-anthem/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605062324/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jerry-rice-changes-his-mind-on-colin-kaepernick-kneeling-during-the-anthem/ |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |access-date=June 5, 2022 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref> | |||
== See also == | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
==References== | |||
{{Reflist}} | |||
== Footnotes == | |||
{{refbegin}} | |||
* {{cite book |last1=Maiocco |first1=Matt |title=San Francisco 49ers: Where Have You Gone? Joe Montana, Y. A. Tittle, Steve Young, and Other 49ers Greats |date=2011 |publisher=Skyhorse Publishing |isbn=978-1613210451 |edition=illustrated |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=099xKMdVkhAC |access-date=December 12, 2017 |archive-date=April 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425172027/https://books.google.com/books?id=099xKMdVkhAC |url-status=live}} | |||
*{{Cite book |last=Sterngass |first=Jon |url=https://archive.org/details/jerryrice0000ster/mode/2up |title=Jerry Rice |publisher=] |year=2008 |isbn=9780791096079 |location=New York |language=English |url-access=registration}} | |||
*{{Cite book |last=Rice & Curtis |first=Jerry & Brian |url=https://archive.org/details/golongmyjourneyb0000rice/page/4/mode/2up |title=Go Long!: My Journey Beyond The Game And The Fame |publisher=] |year=2007 |isbn=9780345496119 |location=New York |language=English |url-access=registration}} | |||
*{{Cite book |last=O'Brien |first=Richard |url=https://archive.org/details/ultimatesportsha0000obri/page/46/mode/2up?q=jerry+rice |title=The Ultimate Sports Handbook |publisher=] |year=2005 |isbn=9781594740343 |location=London |language=English |url-access=registration}}{{refend}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{Commons category}} | |||
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* {{Profootballhof|jerry-rice}} | |||
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* {{College Football HoF|2171}} | |||
* {{Footballstats |nfl=jerry-rice |espn=12 |cbs= |yahoo=126 |fox= |pfr=R/RiceJe00 |rotoworld= }} | |||
* {{IMDb name|0005357}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 14:41, 21 December 2024
American football player (born 1962)American football player
Rice in 2010 | |||||||||
No. 80 | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Position: | Wide receiver | ||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||
Born: | (1962-10-13) October 13, 1962 (age 62) Starkville, Mississippi, U.S. | ||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||
Weight: | 200 lb (91 kg) | ||||||||
Career information | |||||||||
High school: | B. L. Moor (Oktoc, Mississippi) | ||||||||
College: | Mississippi Valley State (1981–1984) | ||||||||
NFL draft: | 1985 / round: 1 / pick: 16 | ||||||||
Career history | |||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
| |||||||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
| |||||||||
Pro Football Hall of Fame | |||||||||
College Football Hall of Fame |
Jerry Lee Rice (born October 13, 1962) is an American former professional football wide receiver who played for 20 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He won three Super Bowl titles with the San Francisco 49ers before two shorter stints at the end of his career with the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks. For his accomplishments and numerous records, Rice is widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver of all time and one of the greatest players in NFL history. His biography on the official Pro Football Hall of Fame website names him "the most prolific wide receiver in NFL history with staggering career totals". In 1999, The Sporting News listed Rice second behind Jim Brown on its list of "Football's 100 Greatest Players". In 2010, he was chosen by NFL Network's NFL Films production The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players as the greatest player in NFL history.
Rice played college football for four seasons with the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils, setting several National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and team receiving records, including becoming the all-time leader in NCAA receiving touchdowns. He joined the 49ers after being selected with the 16th overall pick of the 1985 NFL draft. After a modest rookie season, Rice emerged in the following season as one of the best receivers in the league, leading the NFL in receiving yards and touchdowns, a feat he achieved four times. In 1987, Rice set the record for most receiving touchdowns in a season, with 22, in a twelve-game strike-shortened season. He won back-to-back championships in 1988 and 1989, and was the MVP of the former championship. Rice developed connections with quarterbacks Joe Montana and Steve Young that are viewed as among the best in NFL history, helping him lead the league in both receiving yards and touchdowns six times, and in receptions twice.
Going into the 1990s, Rice won a third Super Bowl in 1994, and a second Offensive Player of the Year Award. After recovering from a knee injury and his play regressing, San Francisco released him in June 2001, where the Raiders would sign him to a four-year deal. He continued to start for the team, and helped lead them to an appearance in Super Bowl XXXVII, where they were defeated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, affecting Rice's previously unblemished Super Bowl record. Midway through 2004, the Raiders traded him to the Seahawks, where he spent his final season. He briefly signed with the Broncos, retiring shortly before the start of the 2005 season.
Rice is the career leader in most major statistical categories for wide receivers, including receptions, receiving touchdowns, receiving yards, scrimmage yards, and total touchdowns, holding the postseason records for these statistics, and once held the single-season records for yards and touchdowns. He scored more points than any other non-kicker in NFL history with 1,256. Rice was selected to the Pro Bowl 13 times (1986–1996, 1998, 2002) and named All-Pro twelve times in his 20 NFL seasons, including ten First-team All-Pros, tied for the most by any player. Rice was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006. Rice was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2007, and in the same year was inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. The NFL honored him as a member of the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team and the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team, as well as both the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Early life
Jerry Lee Rice Sr. was born on October 13, 1962, in Starkville, Mississippi, and lived in Crawford, Mississippi, the sixth of eight children. Crawford was a small town, having only 600 residents. Rice's father, Joe, was a brick mason who built houses by hand, while holding other jobs to provide for the family. Joe was described by Rice as "a tough man" and held him and his siblings to a strict lifestyle. Eddie B., Rice's mother, raised Rice while Joe was working, and after Rice left cleaned the houses of wealthy families. Rice and his brothers often worked with their father building houses, catching bricks on top of scaffolds to make sure his father had bricks to lay. He did not see bricklaying as his future, later saying that "it taught me the meaning of hard work." The Rice family struggled financially, with Rice sometimes not having many pairs of clothing or having a "hearty meal on the table". To provide for his family, he and his brothers picked corn, cotton, carrots, and hay. Rice asserted that he was shy as a child, and had few friends.
Rice attended B. L. Moor High School in Oktoc, Mississippi. Although he played mock games of basketball and football, Rice initially played no sports in high school. He enjoyed playing sandlot football and watching football on television. His mother didn't allow him to join the school's football team in his freshman year, as she thought that football was "too rough" for Rice. While Rice was a sophomore, the school's assistant principal caught him skipping class with a friend, causing him to panic and sprint away. After Rice fled, the principal was impressed with his speed, and informed the school's football coach, Charles Davis, who offered Rice a place on the team. Initially unhappy about this, Rice's mother relented after realizing that "the more I fought it, the more determined he was, so I gave it up." Rice played basketball as a forward and was on the track and field team, competing in the high jump. Rice played multiple positions in high school, including running back, defensive back and tight end. The position he was most skilled at, however, was wide receiver. During the off-season before his junior year, Rice increased his training; running several miles back to his house because he didn't have a ride. Rice had a breakout junior season, primarily playing wide receiver and defensive back.
Rice was a Mississippi All-State selection at wide receiver in his senior year. Due to the small size of Moor, few of his statistics were officially recorded. According to sports journalist Glenn Dickey, Rice caught 50 receptions and 30 touchdowns as a senior, helping to lead the team to a 17–2 record over his final two seasons. He and Moor's starting quarterback, Willie Gillespie, were very dependable, enough for them to be nicknamed Johnny Unitas and Raymond Berry. Rice initially wanted to go to Mississippi State University, but the team wasn't interested in Rice. Mississippi State was one of over 40 NCAA Division I-A schools that contacted him, but did not offer a scholarship. He was drawn to Mississippi Valley State, in part because the school's coach, Archie Cooley, ran a pass-heavy offense—enough that Cooley was nicknamed "The Gunslinger." After Cooley watched him play in person and after he visited the school's campus, Rice committed to playing at Mississippi Valley State.
College career
Rice attended Mississippi Valley State University from 1981 to 1984. When Rice arrived at Mississippi Valley State, he attended summer school and freshman orientation before the regular season. Two of his former teammates from B.L. Moor were there as well, but both left before the start of training camp. Rice studied receiving techniques from Gloster Richardson, stating: "I soaked up everything I could."
In 1981, Rice's freshman season, he caught 30 passes for 428 yards and two touchdowns. In 1982, Rice played his first season with freshman quarterback Willie Totten. They became friends and practiced into the evening. Under the direction of Cooley, Mississippi Valley State ran an "unusual" offense, playing four wide receivers who tended to line up on one side of the field. Rice caught 66 passes for 1,133 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore that year. Together, Totten and Rice became known as "The Satellite Express." Success on the field did not put any money in his pocket, and many times he relied on friends for food, stating that the food given to him at Mississippi Valley "were not enough for a growing man".
Rice had a record-setting 1983 campaign, including NCAA marks for receptions (102) and receiving yards (1,450). He was named a first-team Division I-AA All-American. He set a single-game NCAA record with 24 receptions against Southern University. He acquired the nickname "World," because of his ability to seemingly catch anything thrown near him.
After an August practice experiment, Cooley had Totten call all the plays at the line of scrimmage without a huddle, resulting in even more staggering offensive numbers. Rice caught 17 receptions for 199 yards against Southern, 17 receptions for 294 yards, and five receiving touchdowns against Kentucky State, and 15 for 285 yards against Jackson State. During the game against Kentucky State, Rice caught twelve passes and scored three touchdowns in a single quarter. As a senior in 1984, he surpassed his own Division I-AA records for receiving yards (1,845), and receptions (112); his 27 touchdown receptions in the 1984 season set the NCAA record for every division. The 1984 Delta Devils averaged more than 60 points per game. Rice was named to the Division I-AA All-American team and finished ninth in Heisman Trophy balloting in 1984.
In the Blue–Gray Classic all-star game played on Christmas Day, he earned MVP honors after four receptions for 101 yards and a 60-yard touchdown. He finished his career with 301 catches for 4,693 yards and 50 touchdowns, (although some sources have his numbers as 310 receptions, 4,856 receiving yards, and 51 touchdowns); his NCAA record for total career touchdown receptions stood until 2006 when New Hampshire wide receiver David Ball recorded his 51st career receiving touchdown. Rice's all-division NCAA record for total career receptions stood until 1999 when Scott Pingel of Division III Westminster logged his 302nd career reception. By the end of his college career, he had broken 18 NCAA records. Rice became a member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity at the Delta Phi chapter. In 1999, the school renamed its football stadium from Magnolia Stadium to Rice–Totten Stadium in honor of the players. Rice was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006, and was in the inaugural class of the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
During this time, Rice met Jackie Mitchell at an MVS basketball game, while she was still in high school. Rice eventually approached her, and they dated casually before Rice met her mother. Her mother was initially unhappy about Rice and preferred that Mitchell see another boy that lived in Greenville, Mississippi, but after meeting Rice in person she approved of him.
Professional career
San Francisco 49ers (1985–2000)
Rice's record-breaking season at Mississippi Valley State caught the attention of NFL scouts. Sources vary on his 40-yard dash time, which was measured between 4.45 and 4.71 seconds. Both the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers showed interest in him. San Francisco had won two out of the previous four Super Bowls prior to the draft. Rice later wrote in Go Long! that he was unsure about what success he might have in the league, and that he would "often play head games" with himself; his backup plan if his football career didn't pan out was fixing electronics. In a 2022 interview with Fox News Digital, Rice expressed his doubts about being drafted at the time: "To be honest, I never thought I was going to get drafted, I downplayed everything because I didn't want that disappointment of getting up here and then come down in disappointment if it didn't happen".
In the first round of the 1985 NFL draft, Dallas had the No. 17 selection and San Francisco, as Super Bowl champion from the previous season, had the last. 49ers coach Bill Walsh sought Rice after seeing television highlights of his college performances. Walsh "saw the deep-threat the 49ers lacked ... a player who could break open a game with one play." The 49ers traded their first, second, and third-round picks for the New England Patriots' first and third-round picks. The 49ers had the No. 16 selection overall and drafted Rice before the Cowboys had a chance. Walsh described Rice as "a swift, smooth player who's got great instincts running with the ball, going to the ball and catching in a crowd." Rice was selected by the United States Football League (USFL), where the Birmingham Stallions selected him with the No. 1 overall pick of the 1985 USFL Draft, but the league folded after its 1986 season. In training camp, Rice had to compete with 49ers Dwight Clark and Freddie Solomon for roster spots at the wide receiver position.
Joe Montana and first two Super Bowls (1985–1989)
In July 1985, Rice was one of 21 rookie players who had not yet signed a contract. Rice signed a rookie contract for five years that paid him $377,000 per year. He wrote that during training camp, he was nicknamed "Fifi" because of his haircut, but he was praised by his teammates for his work ethic. It was with the 49ers where Rice switched from his college number, 88 (which was already taken by teammate Freddie Solomon), to his now famous #80 (in honor of his idol, Steve Largent). Rice made his NFL debut in the 49ers' regular season opener against the Minnesota Vikings. He had four receptions for 67 yards in the 28–21 loss. Rice scored his first receiving touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons on a 25-yard reception from Joe Montana in Week 5. Rice had a breakout game with ten receptions for a then franchise-record 241 yards against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13, his first over 100 receiving yards, with San Francisco losing 27–20. For his game against the Rams, Rice earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week. After a seven reception, 111-yard performance in a 31–16 victory in the regular season finale against the Dallas Cowboys, while scoring a rushing touchdown, CBS announcer Pat Summerall stated that "When this guy is finished , he'll be considered one of the greatest wide receivers to ever play this game." He recorded 49 catches, for 927 yards, and three receiving touchdowns, averaging 18.9 yards per catch in his rookie season, and started four out of sixteen possible games. United Press International (UPI) named Rice the NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year, and he was selected to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Nevertheless, Rice struggled, dropping numerous passes that season. In a game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Rice dropped two wide-open passes and later fumbled on an 8-yard pass that was intended to boost Rice's confidence. Rice said that his poor play may have been impacted by his increased wealth and the distractions that came with it. The 49ers finished the regular season with a 10–6 record and made the postseason. During the Wild Card Round against the New York Giants, Rice had four receptions for 44 yards in the 17–3 loss.
During the 1986 off-season, Rice spent much of his time studying the 49ers playbook. Playing against the Los Angeles Rams, Rice had six receptions for 157 yards and a touchdown in a Week 2 loss. He followed that with a seven reception, 120-yard game against the New Orleans Saints in a 26–17 victory in Week 3. Following a two-touchdown game against the Miami Dolphins in Week 4, Rice had six receptions for 172 yards and three touchdowns in a 35–14 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. In Week 10, against the St. Louis Cardinals, he had four receptions for 156 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the 43–17 victory. Rice had his second career 200-yard receiving game against the Washington Redskins, having a 12 reception, 204-yard performance in Week 11. For his game against Washington, he won NFC Offensive Player of the Week. He won NFC Offensive Player of the Month for November. Overall, he caught 86 passes for 1,570 yards and 15 touchdowns, both of which led the league, the first of four seasons in which Rice led the NFL in both receiving yards and touchdown receptions. He was named to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro teams. The 49ers finished the regular season with a 10–5–1 record, won the NFC West, and made the postseason. Rice struggled in the Divisional Round against the eventual Super Bowl-winning Giants, fumbling what would have been a long touchdown on the game's first drive. The 49ers lost 49–3.
In the first game of the 1987 season, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rice went for eight receptions and 108 yards with a touchdown in a 30–17 loss. The following week against the Cincinnati Bengals, Rice recorded four receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns in a 27–26 victory. The NFL Players Association began a strike after the season's second game, causing Rice to miss the next four games while backups replaced him (including a canceled game). He picketed outside the 49ers practice facility while some of his teammates (including quarterback Joe Montana and halfback Roger Craig), crossed picket lines to play. When the strike ended, Rice resumed playing in Week 7. In Week 10, against the New Orleans Saints, he had four receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns in the 26–24 loss. In the following game, a 24–10 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he had seven receptions for 103 yards and three receiving touchdowns in the 24–10 victory. His continued his productive streak with seven receptions for 126 yards and three touchdowns in a 38–24 victory over the Cleveland Browns in the following game. For his game against the Browns, he won NFC Offensive Player of the Week. Two weeks later, in Week 14, Rice recorded three receiving touchdowns for the third time in four games in a 41–0 victory over the Chicago Bears. In the final two games of the regular season, Rice recorded four total receiving touchdowns. Rice scored a receiving touchdown in every game he played that season. In total, he scored 22 receiving touchdowns in 12 games, coupled with 1,078 receiving yards from 65 receptions. His touchdown number broke a then-NFL-record previously held by Mark Clayton (18), which Rice officially broke against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15. The record was broken by Randy Moss in 2007, when he scored 23 receiving touchdowns. After being selected to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro teams, Rice was awarded the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award, becoming the first wide receiver to receive the award. He was also named the NFLs MVP by the Newspaper Enterprise Association. In 1987, the touchdown runner-up was receiver Mike Quick with 11, marking the first time in post-NFL–AFL merger history that a category leader doubled the total of his nearest competitor and the second time in the history of the NFL from its inception; the first being Don Hutson in 1942. The 49ers finished the season 13–2,the best record in the NFL, but lost in the Divisional Playoffs to the Minnesota Vikings 36–24, with Rice having three receptions for 28 yards.
Before the 1988 season, Rice signed a five-year, $5.05 million contract in June that kept him with the 49ers through 1992. He was plagued by an ankle injury throughout the season, In Week 3, Rice had eight receptions for 163 yards in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons. In the following game, he recorded 163 receiving yards once again and had three touchdowns in a 38–7 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. In Week 13, he had six receptions for 171 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in a 48–10 victory over the San Diego Chargers. He won NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his game against the Chargers. He still put up high numbers in the games he played, finishing the season with 64 receptions for 1,306 yards and nine receiving touchdowns, averaging a career-high 20.4 yards per reception, earning him more selections to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro teams. The 49ers won the NFC West with a 10–6 record. Rice had five receptions for 61 yards and three touchdowns, scoring all three in the first half of the 49er's 34–9 win against the Vikings during the Divisional Round. In the 49ers' 28–3 win over the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship, he had five receptions for 133 yards and two touchdowns. In Super Bowl XXIII, Rice had an 11 reception, 215-yard performance with a touchdown, helping the 49ers to a narrow 20–16 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Both his receptions and receiving yards were Super Bowl records. For his performance, Rice was named the Super Bowl MVP; he called the win "stupendous". He became the third wide receiver to earn Super Bowl MVP honors. Even though Rice won the MVP, Montana uttered the famous: "I'm going to Disney World!" line, instead of Rice; Rice attributed him not saying it to racism. Overall, Rice caught 21 receptions for 409 yards and six touchdowns; his yards and touchdown numbers stood as postseason records until Larry Fitzgerald broke both of them in 2008.
After the 1988 season, 49ers head coach Bill Walsh retired from coaching after much speculation, and was to be replaced by George Seifert; Rice was saddened by this, referring to Walsh his "West Coast father". Rice started off the season strong with six receptions for 163 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in a 30–24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. In the following game, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he had eight receptions for 122 receiving yards in the 20–16 victory. In the next game, a 38–28 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, he had a season-high 164 receiving yards on six receptions for two touchdowns. Two weeks later, he had seven receptions for 149 receiving yards and a touchdown in a 24–20 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 5. Starting in Week 7, Rice had a six-game stretch where he had three games with two receiving touchdowns and three games going over the 100-yard mark. By the end of the 1989 season, Rice had gained 82 receptions for 1,483 yards and 17 receiving touchdowns; both his yards and touchdown numbers led the league. For the fourth straight season, Rice was selected to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro team. San Francisco finished the regular season with a 14–2 record, the league's best. Rice had six receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns in the Divisional Round against the Minnesota Vikings; the 49ers won 41–13. In the NFC Championship against the Los Angeles Rams, he had six receptions for 55 yards in the 30–3 victory. Rice finished Super Bowl XXIV with seven receptions for 148 yards and three touchdowns in the 49ers 55–10 blowout victory against the Denver Broncos.
Steve Young years (1990–1994)
In the 1990 season, Rice started all 16 games. In Week 3, against the Atlanta Falcons, he had eight receptions for 171 yards and a touchdown in the 19–13 victory. For his game against the Falcons, he won NFC Offensive Player of the Week. On October 14, in Week 6 against the Falcons, Rice caught a career-best five touchdowns to go with 13 receptions for 225 yards in the 45–35 victory. For the second time and against the same opponent in the 1990 season, Rice won NFC Offensive Player of the Week. On November 4, against the Green Bay Packers, Rice had a six reception, 181-yard performance with a touchdown. In the following game, against the Dallas Cowboys, he had 12 receptions for 147 yards and one touchdown in the 24–6 victory. In three of the last four games of the regular season, Rice went over 100 receiving yards. Rice had a successful year, leading the NFL in receptions (100), receiving yards (1,502), and receiving touchdowns (13), becoming the first player to lead the NFL in all three categories in the Super Bowl era: only Sterling Sharpe (1992), Steve Smith Sr. (2005), and Cooper Kupp (2021) have managed the feat since. He was named to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro teams. Rice's efforts helped San Francisco finish the year with an NFL-best 14–2 record. During the Divisional Round against the Redskins, Rice had six receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown in the 28–10 victory. Montana injured his elbow in the NFC Championship against the New York Giants, ending with the 49ers losing 15–13, failing to repeat as NFC champions for a third time; Rice went for five receptions and 54 yards in the game.
In 1991, Montana was ruled out for the season with an injury, making Steve Young the starting quarterback. Along with Montana, teammates Ronnie Lott and Roger Craig had left in free agency, making Rice "the last of the Mohicans" as he described himself, the only remaining star player from San Francisco's 80s dynasty. Rice started the season with six receiving touchdowns in the first four games, which included a 150-yard game against the San Diego Chargers in Week 2. In Week 7, against the Atlanta Falcons, he had seven receptions for 138 yards and one touchdown in the 39–34 loss. Rice recorded 80 receptions for 1,206 yards and led the league in receiving touchdowns with 14 in the 1991 season, and was again selected to the Pro Bowl. He suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) against the Vikings, but the injury did not cost him any games. San Francisco managed to win their final six games to finish with a 10–6 record but they failed to make the postseason, marking the first time in Rice's career that the 49ers failed to do so.
During the 1992 season, a quarterback controversy swirled around Montana and Young. Rice openly supported Montana, but Young ended up starting, while Montana rehabbed. Wanting a high-value contract, Rice skipped training camp. He eventually signed with the 49ers for a three-year, $7.5 million contract, returning to training camp. On September 13, Rice was knocked unconscious against the Buffalo Bills, and was taken out of the game with a concussion. In Week 7, against the Falcons, Rice had a seven reception, 183-yard performance with two touchdowns to go along with a 26-yard touchdown rush, totaling 209 scrimmage yards in the 56–17 victory. He won NFC Offensive Player of the Week for this game against the Falcons. In Week 13 against the Philadelphia Eagles, he had eight receptions for 133 receiving yards and one touchdown in the 20–14 victory. He won NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his game against the Eagles. Rice surpassed Steve Largent's career receiving touchdown record on December 6 in a Week 14 game against the Miami Dolphins, scoring his 101st touchdown. In Week 16 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he had seven receptions for 118 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in the 21–14 victory. Overall, Rice finished the season with 84 catches for 1,201 yards and ten touchdowns, and was once again named to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro team. Rice helped the 49ers to an NFL-best 14–2 record, and they made the postseason. San Francisco won in the Divisional Round against the Redskins, but lost in the NFC Championship against the eventual Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys, being unable to stop the offense of Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith. Rice had eight receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown in the game, with the touchdown being his 13th of his postseason career, an NFL record.
After the 1992 season, in April 1993, Montana was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs; Rice wasn't able to properly say goodbye to him, and believed that San Francisco should have "treated Joe with more class" when they traded him. In Week 8, Rice had a 155-yard performance with two receiving touchdowns against the Phoenix Cardinals. In Week 11, Rice had eight receptions for 172 yards and four touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 45–21 victory. For his game against Tampa Bay, he won NFC Offensive Player of the Week. Two weeks later, he had eight receptions for 166 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in the 35–10 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. In Week 16, he had four receptions for 132 receiving yards and one touchdown in the 55–17 victory over the Detroit Lions. Rice caught 98 receptions for 1,503 yards and 15 touchdowns in the 1993 season; both his receiving yards and touchdown numbers led the league. He was awarded his second career NFL Offensive Player of The Year Award, along with being selected to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro teams. San Francisco finished the season 10–6, and made the postseason. Rice and the 49ers won in the Divisional Round against the New York Giants, but once again lost in the NFC Championship against the Dallas Cowboys; Rice recorded nine receptions for 126 yards during the 1993 postseason.
While he didn't get along with free agent addition Deion Sanders, he believed Sanders would help in the 49ers' pursuit of the Super Bowl. These assertions were proven correct, as Rice made it back to the Super Bowl with the 49ers in 1994, recording 112 receptions for 1,499 yards and 13 touchdowns, with Sanders winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. The season began against the Los Angeles Raiders, where he had a seven reception, 169-yard game with two touchdowns (rushing for one more), moving into first place in the NFL records for career touchdowns, with 127. On September 18 against the Rams, his 147 receiving yards from 11 catches moved him past Art Monk as the NFLs active leader in that category and past Charlie Joiner for third all-time. In Week 12, in another game against the Rams, he had 16 receptions for 165 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. For his game against the Rams, he won NFC Offensive Player of the Week. In Week 15 against the Chargers, he had 12 receptions for 144 receiving yards in the 38–15 victory. He passed Largent for second place in the 16th game of the season. Rice was selected to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro teams. With a 13–3 record and making the postseason, the 49ers won against the Bears in the Divisional Round. Moving on to the NFC Championship, they faced the Cowboys for the third straight year. After two previous defeats, the 49ers were victorious against the Cowboys 38–28. Rice was a vital component in their 49–26 victory over the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX, combined with a six-touchdown performance by Young, Rice caught ten passes after catching six in the 49ers last two postseason games, coupled with 149 yards and three touchdowns, despite playing with a separated shoulder for much of the game. In three Super Bowl appearances at this point in his career, Rice caught 28 receptions for 512 yards and seven touchdowns, with all three statistics career Super Bowl records.
Final 49ers' seasons (1995–2000)
During the 1995 season, Rice had a record-setting campaign. After an 87-yard, one-touchdown day to start the season against the New Orleans Saints, Rice had 11 receptions for 167 yards and two touchdowns in a 41–10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Following a two-touchdown game against the New England Patriots in Week 3, Rice had 11 receptions for 181 yards in a 27–24 loss to the Detroit Lions. In Rice's next three games, he scored a receiving touchdown in each. On October 29, with an eight reception, 108-yard performance in Week 9, he surpassed James Lofton as the all-time leader in receiving yards against the Saints, with 14,040. Against the Cowboys, he had five receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown in a Week 11 victory. In Week 12, against the Miami Dolphins, he had eight receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns in the 44–20 victory. Rice had one of the best statistical games in his career against the Vikings, catching 14 passes for a career-high 289 yards (at the time the fifth-most ever in a game), and three touchdowns. Rice won NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his game against the Vikings. Vikings head coach Dennis Green said of Rice: "We did take the 49ers out of their running game, but Jerry was the one ingredient we had a hard time stopping", "In fact, we had a hard time slowing him down". In the final game of the regular season against the Atlanta Falcons, he surpassed Art Monk as the all-time leader in receptions, with 942; his performance included 12 receptions for 153 yards, a 41-yard touchdown-throw, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown; his yards total was enough to break the record for most receiving yards in a season, with 1,848 yards, coupled with 122 receptions and 15 touchdowns. He was selected to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro teams. His single-season receiving yards record was not broken until Calvin Johnson broke it in 2012. With an 11–5 record and making the postseason, the 49ers lost in the Divisional Round to the Green Bay Packers, in which Rice had 11 receptions for 117 yards.
During the offseason of 1996, Rice and Jackie were expecting their third child, and on May 16, 1996, Jada Rice was born. Minutes after the birth, however, Jackie suffered complications and nearly died from blood loss. She made a recovery after many surgeries. This caused Rice to miss almost all of June mini-camp and one week of training camp; he was supported by his teammates and coaches along the way. Even through these troubles, he was available for the start of the regular season. In Week 4, against the Carolina Panthers, he had ten receptions for 127 receiving yards. In Week 7, he had his only game of the season with multiple receiving touchdowns with two against the Green Bay Packers. He had ten receptions for 129 yard and a touchdown in a Week 15 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Overall, he recorded 108 receptions (leading the NFL) for 1,254 yards and eight touchdowns. Rice was selected to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro. With a 12–4 record and making the postseason, San Francisco won in the Wild Card Round against the Philadelphia Eagles 14–0 with Rice scoring a touchdown, but lost to the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round, as the 49ers were unable to gain any ground with their offense, with only 196 yards of total offense. Through 1994 and 1996, Rice racked up 342 catches for 4,601 yards and 36 touchdowns.
Before the 1997 season, Rice signed a seven-year, $32 million contract. During the 49ers' opening game of the season, Rice tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee on a reverse. Warren Sapp of the Buccaneers grabbed Rice by the face mask and wrenched him to the ground, drawing a 15-yard personal foul. The injury broke Rice's streak of 189 consecutive games played; throughout high school, college, and the NFL he had never missed a game excluding three strike games. Wanting to make it back in time for the retirement of Montana's jersey number, he made his return 14 weeks later on December 15, much earlier than doctors wanted him to. He scored a touchdown, but he cracked his left patella as he came down with the catch. He missed the Pro Bowl team for the first time in 11 years due to the injury. San Francisco still made the postseason with a 13–3 record, beating the Minnesota Vikings in the Divisional Round 38–22, but lost for the third straight time against the Green Bay Packers 23–10 in the NFC Championship.
Rice made a full recovery, coming back in time for the 1998 regular season opener. In Week 4, against the Atlanta Falcons, he had eight receptions for 162 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in the 31–20 victory. In Week 11, in another game against the Falcons, he had ten receptions for 169 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown. Overall, he recorded 82 catches for 1,157 yards and nine touchdowns, becoming the oldest receiver ever to record a 1,000-yard season, at age 36, and returned to the Pro Bowl team. San Francisco made the postseason with a 12–4 record. They faced the Packers once again the Wild Card Round. Though Rice only had one catch for six yards in the game, the 49ers defeated the Packers 30–27. San Francisco was defeated in the Divisional Round by the Atlanta Falcons 18–20. Rice had a receiving touchdown in the loss.
In Week 13 of the 1999 season, Rice had nine receptions for 157 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the 44–30 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. In the 49ers' regular season finale against the Atlanta Falcons, he had six receptions for 143 yards in the 34–29 defeat. Rice finished the 1999 season with 67 receptions for 830 yards and five touchdowns. The season was the first that Rice failed to reach 1,000 yards receiving while playing in all 16 games. San Francisco struggled as a whole, going 4–12 and missing the postseason, losing 11 out of their last 12 games after Young had concussion troubles, leading him to retire after the season.
In the 2000 season, his final season in San Francisco, he again missed 1,000 receiving yards, with 75 receptions for 805 yards and seven touchdowns. The 2000 season marked Rice's first without having a game where he recorded at least 100 receiving yards. In his final home game against the Bears, he had seven receptions for 76 yards in the 17–0 victory. It was the same game in which Terrell Owens set the single-game record for receptions, with 20. This angered Rice as he wanted it to be a special day for him, not for Owens, and many of Owens' receptions were intentionally called in order for him to break the record. San Francisco once again struggled, going 6–10 and missing the postseason.
Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, and later career (2001–2005)
Oakland Raiders
With the emergence of Terrell Owens in San Francisco and because of their desire to rebuild the team and clear salary, Rice was released by the 49ers in June 2001 and signed with the Oakland Raiders for a four-year, $7.8 million contract. He joined a Raiders team coming off a loss in the playoffs to form one of the oldest receiver duos with Tim Brown (age 35). During the season, he had an eight reception, 131-yard performance with three touchdowns against the Chargers, and a nine reception, 108-yard performance against the Broncos. Rice caught 83 passes for 1,139 yards and nine touchdowns for the year. Oakland finished the season with a 10–6 record and made the postseason. The Raiders played the New York Jets in the Wild Card Round, winning 38–24, with Rice having nine receptions for 183 yards and a touchdown. In the Divisional Round, the Raiders faced Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. In what was later called the "Tuck Rule Game", the Raiders lost in overtime 16–13, after officials reviewed an apparent Brady fumble, overturning the call on the field to be an incomplete pass, allowing the Patriots to kick the game-tying field goal, all in a severe snowstorm.
In 2002, Rice caught 92 passes for 1,211 yards and seven touchdowns, while being named to his 13th Pro Bowl team, and to the Second-team All-Pro team. Rice's teammate, Raiders starting quarterback Rich Gannon, was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player for the 2002 season. Against the Tennessee Titans, where Rice had seven receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown, he surpassed Walter Payton as the all-time leader in scrimmage yards, with 21,281 scrimmage yards. He scored his 200th career touchdown against the Broncos. Oakland finished the season with an 11–5 record and made the postseason. They won in the Divisional Round against the Jets, 30–10. Rice had a receiving touchdown in the win. The team won in the AFC Championship against the Tennessee Titans, 41–24, making it to the Super Bowl. There, against the Buccaneers, coached by former Raiders head coach Jon Gruden, they were defeated 21–48, with Gannon throwing five interceptions, including three for touchdowns, and Rice having five receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown. Up to this point, Rice had been undefeated in the Super Bowl, having already won three with San Francisco. The fact that he lost a Super Bowl overwhelmed him to the point of crying in his hotel room after the game.
In Week 4 of the 2003 season, Rice had seven receptions for 126 receiving yards in the 34–31 victory of the San Diego Chargers. In Week 16, against the Green Bay Packers, he had ten receptions for 159 receiving yards in the 41–7 loss. Overall, in the 2003 season, Rice caught 63 passes for 869 yards; he didn't score a touchdown until the 12th game of the season, scoring only two through the whole year. Oakland as a team regressed from their 11–5 record in 2002 to a 4–12 record in 2003, leading to the firing of head coach Bill Callahan. This led Rice to be frustrated about his role with the team.
By the time the 2004 season was starting, Rice struggled, and by the fourth game of the season, Rice had five receptions for only 64 yards. Because of this, he asked Raiders owner Al Davis to trade him.
Seattle Seahawks
Rice was traded to the Seattle Seahawks six games into the 2004 season in exchange for a seventh round pick and reunited with Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren, who had previously worked with Rice as San Francisco's offensive coordinator. After speaking with Largent, Rice was permitted to wear Largent's retired jersey No. 80. In a Monday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Rice set the career record for combined net yards by catching a 27-yard touchdown pass from Matt Hasselbeck, his 35th career record. He finished that game eight receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown. In total Rice had 25 receptions for 362 receiving yards and three touchdowns with the Seahawks, having 30 receptions for 429 yards and three touchdowns in total for the season. At age 41, he managed to play 17 games in a 16-game season, as he was traded before Oakland's bye week and after Seattle's, and never missed a game, so he played six games for the Raiders and 11 for the Seahawks. Rice played his last non-preseason professional game for Seattle, a Wild Card Round loss to the St. Louis Rams in which he did not catch a pass.
Denver Broncos
After the 2004 season, Rice signed a one-year contract worth $790,000 in total salary with the Denver Broncos which was his lowest contract offer in his 20 years in the league. Rice never played for the Broncos, therefore he was only allowed his guaranteed money for a grand total of $25,000.
Retirement
Just before the 2005 season, on September 5, 2005, Rice announced his retirement after 20 seasons. In August 2006, the 49ers announced that Rice would sign a contract with them, allowing him to retire as a member of the team where his NFL career began. On August 24, he officially retired as a 49er, signing a one-day contract for $1,985,806.49. The number represented the year Rice was drafted (1985), his No. 80, the year he retired (2006), and the 49ers (49). The figure was ceremonial, and Rice received no money. A halftime ceremony honored him during the 49ers' match-up with the Seattle Seahawks on November 19, 2006.
Legacy
Rice holds numerous NFL receiving records. His 197 career touchdown receptions are 41 scores more than the second place of 156 touchdown receptions by Randy Moss; his 208 total touchdowns (197 receiving, ten rushing, and one fumble recovery) are 33 scores ahead of Emmitt Smith's second-place total of 175. His 22,895 career receiving yards are 5,403 yards ahead of the second-place Larry Fitzgerald. His 1,256 career points scored make him the highest-scoring non-kicker in NFL history. Many of these records are considered by sports analysts to be unbreakable. During a career spanning two decades, Rice averaged 75.6 receiving yards per game. He received MVP votes in six out of his 20 seasons, finishing as the runner-up twice in 1987 and 1995. He won two NFL Offensive Player of The Year Awards, and a Bert Bell Award in 1987.
Rice is remembered as one of the best clutch players in football history, often making game-winning catches throughout his career. Rice also was noted as an effective blocking receiver. Rice's "famous" catching ability, sometimes attributed to him having to catch bricks when working with his father during his childhood, led him to 1,549 career receptions, 117 ahead of the second-place Fitzgerald.
Despite being keen about his public image early in his career, Rice is remembered for his work ethic and dedication. He still cared extensively about his physical appearance, often tailoring his uniform and jersey, and combed his hair before putting on his helmet; his philosophy was: "If you look good, feel good, you'll play good", as described by Shawn Rogers, one of his friends. In his 20 NFL seasons, Rice missed only 17 regular season games, 14 of them in the 1997 season and the other three in the strike-shortened season of 1987; his 303 games are the most ever by an NFL wide receiver by a wide margin. In addition to staying on the field, his work ethic showed in his dedication to conditioning and running precise routes, with coach Dennis Green calling him "the best route runner I've ever seen". One of the best-known examples of his dedication and ethic was "The Hill," a steep hill in Edgewood County Park & Natural Preserve that is 2.5 miles (4 km) long. Rice would sprint across the hill every day during the offseason to improve his abilities.
In 1999, Rice was ranked No. 2 on the Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, behind only Jim Brown, and was 35 places ahead of the next-highest-ranked player then active, Deion Sanders. In 2000, Rice won the ESPY Award for Pro Football Player of the Decade for the 1990s. On November 4, 2010, he was ranked No. 1 on The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players. In 2011, The Sports Network awarded the inaugural Jerry Rice Award, to be given each year to the most outstanding freshman Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) player. The inaugural winner was Towson running back Terrance West.
In January 2015, Rice stated that he put Stickum, a substance that makes the ball easier to catch and hold on to, on his gloves during his career, saying: "I know this might be a little illegal, guys, but you put a little spray, a little Stickum on them, to make sure that texture is a little sticky." Stickum and similar adhesives were banned in the NFL in 1981, four years before Rice joined the league; he commented that "all players" in his era used the substance. The claims were rebutted by Pro Football Hall of Fame members Cris Carter and Michael Irvin. Rice retracted his claim shortly thereafter, stating that he "never used Stickum."
Rice was selected for induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2010 in his first year of eligibility. He was inducted in Canton, Ohio, on August 7, 2010, alongside Emmitt Smith, Floyd Little, Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Dick LeBeau, and John Randle. On September 20, 2010, during halftime of a game against the Saints, the 49ers retired Rice's No. 80 jersey. He was officially named to both the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. During his career, he was included in the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team and the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team.
NFL career statistics
Legend | |
---|---|
AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year | |
Super Bowl MVP | |
Won the Super Bowl | |
NFL record | |
Led the league | |
Bold | Career high |
Regular season
Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Fumbles | Other TDs | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | |||
1985 | SF | 16 | 4 | 49 | 927 | 18.9 | 66 | 3 | 6 | 26 | 4.3 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
1986 | SF | 16 | 15 | 86 | 1,570 | 18.3 | 66 | 15 | 10 | 72 | 7.2 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
1987 | SF | 12 | 12 | 65 | 1,078 | 16.6 | 57 | 22 | 8 | 51 | 6.4 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
1988 | SF | 16 | 16 | 64 | 1,306 | 20.4 | 96 | 9 | 13 | 107 | 8.2 | 29 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
1989 | SF | 16 | 16 | 82 | 1,483 | 18.1 | 68 | 17 | 5 | 33 | 6.6 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
1990 | SF | 16 | 16 | 100 | 1,502 | 15.0 | 64 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
1991 | SF | 16 | 16 | 80 | 1,206 | 15.1 | 73 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
1992 | SF | 16 | 16 | 84 | 1,201 | 14.3 | 80 | 10 | 9 | 58 | 6.4 | 26 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — |
1993 | SF | 16 | 16 | 98 | 1,503 | 15.3 | 80 | 15 | 3 | 69 | 23.0 | 43 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — |
1994 | SF | 16 | 16 | 112 | 1,499 | 13.4 | 69 | 13 | 7 | 93 | 13.3 | 28 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — |
1995 | SF | 16 | 16 | 122 | 1,848 | 15.1 | 81 | 15 | 5 | 36 | 7.2 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
1996 | SF | 16 | 16 | 108 | 1,254 | 11.6 | 39 | 8 | 11 | 77 | 7.0 | 38 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
1997 | SF | 2 | 1 | 7 | 78 | 11.1 | 16 | 1 | 1 | −10 | −10.0 | −10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
1998 | SF | 16 | 16 | 82 | 1,157 | 14.1 | 75 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — |
1999 | SF | 16 | 16 | 67 | 830 | 12.4 | 62 | 5 | 2 | 13 | 6.5 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
2000 | SF | 16 | 16 | 75 | 805 | 10.7 | 68 | 7 | 1 | −2 | −2.0 | −2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | — |
2001 | OAK | 16 | 15 | 83 | 1,139 | 13.7 | 40 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | — |
2002 | OAK | 16 | 16 | 92 | 1,211 | 13.2 | 75 | 7 | 3 | 20 | 6.7 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — |
2003 | OAK | 16 | 15 | 63 | 869 | 13.8 | 47 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — |
2004 | OAK | 6 | 5 | 5 | 67 | 13.4 | 18 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | — |
SEA | 11 | 9 | 25 | 362 | 14.5 | 56 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | — | |
Career | 303 | 284 | 1,549 | 22,895 | 14.8 | 96 | 197 | 87 | 645 | 7.4 | 43 | 10 | 19 | 11 | 1 |
Postseason
Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Fumbles | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
1985 | SF | 1 | 1 | 4 | 45 | 11.3 | 20 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 |
1986 | SF | 1 | 1 | 3 | 48 | 16.0 | 24 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
1987 | SF | 1 | 1 | 3 | 28 | 9.3 | 13 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
1988 | SF | 3 | 3 | 21 | 409 | 19.5 | 61 | 6 | 3 | 29 | 9.7 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1989 | SF | 3 | 3 | 19 | 317 | 16.7 | 72 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
1990 | SF | 2 | 2 | 11 | 122 | 11.1 | 19 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
1992 | SF | 2 | 2 | 14 | 211 | 15.1 | 36 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1993 | SF | 2 | 2 | 9 | 126 | 14.0 | 23 | 0 | 1 | −9 | −9.0 | −9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1994 | SF | 3 | 3 | 16 | 233 | 14.6 | 44 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 10.0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1995 | SF | 1 | 1 | 11 | 117 | 10.6 | 32 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1996 | SF | 2 | 2 | 9 | 86 | 9.6 | 36 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
1997 | SF | 0 | 0 | did not play due to injury | |||||||||||
1998 | SF | 2 | 2 | 4 | 69 | 17.3 | 38 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
2001 | OAK | 2 | 2 | 13 | 231 | 17.8 | 47 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
2002 | OAK | 3 | 3 | 14 | 362 | 14.5 | 48 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 |
2004 | SEA | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
Career | 29 | 29 | 151 | 2,245 | 14.9 | 72 | 22 | 7 | 44 | 6.3 | 21 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
NFL records
As of the end of the 2015 NFL season, Rice holds the following league records:
- Most career receiving yards: 22,895
- Most career receptions: 1,549
- Most career touchdown receptions: 197
- Most career yards from scrimmage: 23,540 (22,895 receiving, 645 rushing)
- Most career touchdowns from scrimmage: 207 (197 receiving, 10 rushing)
- Most career all purpose yards: 23,546 (22,895 receiving, 645 rushing, 6 kick returns)
- Most career all purpose touchdowns: 208 (197 receiving, 10 rushing, 1 fumble recovery)
- Most career postseason receiving yards: 2,245
- Most career postseason touchdown receptions: 22
- Most career Super Bowl receiving yards: 589
- Most career Super Bowl receptions: 33
- Most career Super Bowl touchdown receptions: 8
- Most career Super Bowl points scored: 48
- Most receiving yards in one Super Bowl: 215
- Most receiving touchdowns in one Super Bowl: 3
- Most games of 100 or more receiving yards: 76
- Most consecutive games with a reception: 274
- Most consecutive games with a touchdown from scrimmage: 13
- Most seasons of 1,000 or more receiving yards: 14
- Fastest player to reach 100 touchdown receptions: 120 games
- Fastest player to reach 14,000 receiving yards: 164 games
- Fastest player to reach 15,000 receiving yards: 172 games
- Most points scored by a non-kicker: 1,256
- Most games played by a wide receiver: 303 (leads all non-kickers and non-quarterbacks)
- Oldest player to catch a touchdown in a Super Bowl: 40 years, 105 days
- Most receiving touchdowns in a game: 5 (tied with Kellen Winslow and Bob Shaw)
Awards and honors
Throughout his collegiate and professional career, Rice has won the following awards and honors:
NFL
- 3× Super Bowl champion (1988, 1989, 1994)
- Super Bowl MVP (1988)
- 2× NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award (1987, 1993)
- 6× NFL receiving yards leader (1986, 1989, 1990, 1993–1995)
- 2× NFL receptions leader (1990, 1996)
- 6× NFL receiving touchdowns leader (1986, 1987, 1989–1991, 1993)
- NFL scoring leader (1987)
- 13× Pro Bowl (1986–1996, 1998, 2002)
- 10× First-team All-Pro (1986–1990, 1992–1996)
- Second-team All-Pro (2002)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (1985)
- Bert Bell Award (1987)
- NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
- NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
- NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
- NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
- No. 80 retired by the San Francisco 49ers
- San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame
NCAA
- 2× First-team Division I-AA All-American (1983, 1984)
Personal life
Rice married Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell on September 8, 1987. Jacqueline Rice filed for divorce in June 2007, which became final in late December 2009. They have three children together: Jaqui Bonet (born 1987), Jerry Rice Jr. (born 1991), and Jada Symone (born 1996). Jerry Jr., who attended high school at Menlo School in Atherton, California, graduated in 2009. Jerry Jr. was a walk-on at UCLA and redshirted his first season. After three seasons and limited playing time, Jerry Jr. graduated from UCLA and transferred to UNLV, and was eligible to play immediately. Jerry Jr. played wide receiver for the Rebels, and participated in a 49ers local pro day before the 2014 NFL draft, but was not drafted. Jerry has another son, Brenden Rice, who played football for the University of Colorado for two years. On January 1, 2022, it was announced that Brenden was transferring to the University of Southern California. As of October 21, 2019, Rice is married to Latisha Pelayo whom he had dated since 2008.
Rice is a Christian. He said he was raised as a Christian and still maintains the same faith from his youth.
After football
During the 2005–2006 broadcasting season, Rice competed in the reality show Dancing with the Stars. He paired with dancer Anna Trebunskaya, and they reached the final two before losing to singer Drew Lachey and his partner Cheryl Burke. In 2009, Rice portrayed Hal Gore in the film Without a Paddle: Nature's Calling. In the same year, he guest-starred as himself in the episode "Lyin' King" on the sitcom Rules of Engagement. Rice has co-authored two books about his life: Rice (with Michael Silver, published 1996, ISBN 0-312-14795-3) and Go Long: My Journey Beyond the Game and the Fame (with Brian Curtis, published 2007, ISBN 0-345-49611-6). In 2019, he co-authored a book America's Game: The NFL at 100 (with Randy O. Williams, ISBN 978-0062692900), celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Football League. Rice and his dog, Nitus, were featured in Jerry Rice & Nitus' Dog Football, a video game for the Wii that was released on August 16, 2011. Rice served as an alumni captain for "Team Rice" during the 2014 and 2016 Pro Bowls. In 2022, Rice partnered with the American Red Cross to raise awareness about blood donations.
Rice has played golf for over 20 years and woke up early to play golf during his football career. He competed in the Fresh Express Classic at TPC Stonebrae on the Nationwide Tour on April 15–16, 2010, receiving a sponsor's exemption to play in the tournament. Rice missed the cut and finished one shot ahead of last place, 17-over and 151st among the 152 players who completed two rounds. He was a team captain on The Big Break Puerto Rico, where his team won.
After Colin Kaepernick announced that he would be kneeling during the national anthem during games, Rice criticized his actions, stating in a Twitter post: "All lives matter. So much going on in this world today. Can we all just get along! Colin, I respect your stance but don't disrespect the Flag". He backtracked these statements later that month, after being criticized by the public and other players.
See also
- List of NFL career receiving yards leaders
- List of NFL career receptions leaders
- List of NFL career receiving touchdowns leaders
- List of NFL career scoring leaders
- List of NFL annual receiving yards leaders
- List of NFL annual receptions leaders
- List of NFL receiving touchdowns leaders
- List of NFL annual scoring leaders
- List of NFL individual records
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Footnotes
- Maiocco, Matt (2011). San Francisco 49ers: Where Have You Gone? Joe Montana, Y. A. Tittle, Steve Young, and Other 49ers Greats (illustrated ed.). Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN 978-1613210451. Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
- Sterngass, Jon (2008). Jerry Rice. New York: Chelsea House. ISBN 9780791096079.
- Rice & Curtis, Jerry & Brian (2007). Go Long!: My Journey Beyond The Game And The Fame. New York: Ballantine Books. ISBN 9780345496119.
- O'Brien, Richard (2005). The Ultimate Sports Handbook. London: Chronicle Books. ISBN 9781594740343.
External links
- Jerry Rice at the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Jerry Rice at the College Football Hall of Fame
- Career statistics from NFL.com · ESPN · Yahoo Sports · Pro Football Reference
- Jerry Rice at IMDb
- 1962 births
- Living people
- 20th-century African-American sportsmen
- 21st-century African-American sportsmen
- American football wide receivers
- American philanthropists
- College Football Hall of Fame inductees
- Denver Broncos players
- Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils football players
- National Conference Pro Bowl players
- National Football League announcers
- NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award winners
- National Football League players with retired numbers
- Oakland Raiders players
- Participants in American reality television series
- People from Crawford, Mississippi
- Players of American football from California
- Players of American football from Mississippi
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees
- San Francisco 49ers players
- Seattle Seahawks players
- Sportspeople from Starkville, Mississippi
- Sportspeople from the San Francisco Bay Area
- Super Bowl MVPs
- All-American college football players