Jerry Rice, Hall of Fame Receiver

As a San Francisco 49ers fan, I was blessed to grow up watching the best receiver to ever play the game, Jerry Rice. Rice came to San Francisco in 1985 and joined my then favorite receiver, Dwight, "The Catch", Clark. By 1988, Clark was gone, and Rice had surpassed fans expectations as a replacement. Already on his way to being one of the best receivers in the game, Jerry Rice was named MVP of Super Bowl XXIII. The following year, for my high school graduation, Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, and the guys gave me another Super Bowl victory.

In a time when it appears wide receivers in the NFL have gone wild, the games best receiver will once again remind us how the position is supposed to be played, when he is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. When we look back over the career of Jerry Rice we are amazed that a receiver many thought too slow, was able to race through the record books. To list all of Rice's accomplishments would take too long, so here is a list of just some of his amazing stats.

Records:

~ 203 Total Touchdowns

~ 21,598 total receiving yards

~ 22,146 total yards

~ 1,848 receiving yards in a season

~ 257 Consecutive games with a reception

Awards:

~ NFL Rookie of the Year

~ Super Bowl MVP

~ NFL Player of the Year

~ 13 Pro Bowls

~ NFL MVP

While his honors are beyond impressive, what's most remarkable is how hard Rice worked every season to get better, to improve. Never content with previous years gains, Rice was determined to remain the games best receiver. Jerry Rice is an example of what hard work and perseverance will bring. Not heavily recruited out of high school, Rice attended Mississippi Valley State University, the only school to offer him a scholarship, they wouldn't be sorry.

After college, Bill Walsh and the 49ers traded up to get Rice ,and in the beginning it seemed those that said Rice was too slow to make it in the NFL were right, not because of his speed, but because of the number of passes Rice dropped. The early struggles would only make the young receiver stronger, and by the end of his first year, Rice was playing so well, he was named Rookie of the Year. Throughout his career people have underestimated Jerry Rice, but that was because they couldn't measure his heart.

Perhaps former teammate, Ronnie Lott says it best, "That humility, that drive, that determination - those things say more about Jerry Rice than any catch he ever made. Jerry played just as hard on Wednesday that he did on Sunday. That, to me, is the essence of Jerry Rice."

His playing days over, Rice stands ready to receive the ultimate honor, entry into the Hall of Fame. Every game, every off season workout, Rice has worked and prepared for this moment. Congratulations Jerry Rice, you deserve it, and thanks for the wonderful memories.

Sources:

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers/2010/02/05/49ers-jerry-rice-gears-up-for-hall-of-fame-call/

http://pages.prodigy.net/seangates31/RiceRecords.htm