EARLY LIFE
Jerry Rice grew up in Crawford, Mississippi, the son of a brick mason. 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.
Jerry Rice grew up in Crawford, Mississippi, the son of a brick mason. 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.
Rice attended Mississippi Valley State University, 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 touchdown catches and averaged 10 catches per game in 1984, when Mississippi Valley State averaged over 59 points per game. That season he was named an AP All-American and finished 9th in Heisman Trophy balloting. The school later named its football stadium Rice-Totten Stadium in honor of Rice and quarterback Willie Totten who threw Rice his many touchdown passes at Mississippi Valley State.
PERSONAL LIFE
Rice currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has three children, Jaqui Bonet (b. June 7, 1987), Jerry Jr. (b. July 27, 1991), and Jada Symone (b. May 16, 1996). He is considering stepping into the broadcasting booth.
During the 2005-2006 broadcasting season, Rice competed in the reality TV show Dancing with the Stars, where he, to his great surprise, achieved amazing success in the show, reaching the final two and finally losing to singer Drew Lachey and his partner Cheryl Burke.
Paired with dancer Anna Trebunskaya, they were considered the underdogs on the show. His amazing work ethic and exceptional sportsmanship charmed many viewers, and his determination also made him a judge's favorite.
He also appeared in the first episode of Spike TV's Pros vs. Joes challenge show.
Rice is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. He was initiated at Mississippi Valley State through the Delta Phi chapter.
Rice, who has been involved with the United Negro College Fund, has a foundation titled "127 Foundation" that annually donates funds to the Bay Area Omega Boys Club.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Rice at a glance
- A 13-time Pro Bowl wide receiver who holds records for nearly every career receiving category.
- Owns 38 career records, according to the NFL’s Record & Fact Book (16 regular season, 9 postseason, 11 Super Bowl and 2 Pro Bowl).
- Won three Super Bowls (XXIII, XXIV, XXIX) during 16 years (1985-2000) with San Francisco and advanced to one Super Bowl (XXXVII) in three full seasons (2001-03) with Oakland.
- Selected by San Francisco in the first round (16th overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft after setting 18 NCAA Division II records at Mississippi Valley State University.
NFL Records
Rice held the following NFL records at the time of his retirement:
Regular Season
- Regular Season Receptions (1,549)
- Receiving yards (22,895)
- Touchdown receptions(198)
- All-purpose yards (23,540)
- Touchdowns (208)
- Receiving yards gained in a single season (1,848)
- Touchdown receptions in a single season (22)
- Seasons with at least 50 receptions (17)
- Seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards (14)
- Games with at least 100 receiving yards (76)
- Consecutive games with at least one reception (274)
- Consecutive games with at least one touchdown reception (13)
Postseason
- Postseason Games played (28)
- Touchdowns (22)
- Receptions (151)
- Yards receiving (2,245)
- Touchdown receptions in a single game (3, three times; 10 others have had 3 in a game once)
- Games with at least 100 receiving yards (8)
- Consecutive games with at least one reception (28)
Super Bowl
- Receptions (33)
- Yards receiving (589)
- All-purpose yards (604)
- Touchdown receptions (8)
- Points scored (48)
- Receptions in a single game (11)
- Yards receiving in a single game (215)
- Touchdown receptions in a single game (3, twice)
- Points scored in a single game (18, twice)
Accomplishments
- Pro Bowls 13 Awards
- 1995 Pro Bowl MVP
- 1993 AP Offensive Player of the Year
- 1988 Super Bowl MVP
- 1987 AP Offensive Player of the Year
- 1988 PFWA MVP
- 1988 UPI NFC Offensive Player of the Year
- 1985 UPI NFC Rookie of the Year
Honors
- NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
- NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
- NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
- NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time TeamNFL 1990s All-Decade TeamNFL 1980s All-Decade Team