Jerry Rice Research Paper

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Pages: 5

“Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t.” These famous words were spoken by the popular wide receiver, Jerry Lee Rice. Jerry Rice was born October 13, 1962, in Starkville, MS. He spent his younger years growing up in Crawford, MS helping his father lay brick. The hot Mississippi summers made this very tough work, but Rice now appreciates it as he has said, “It taught me the meaning of hard work.” Jerry believes throwing bricks up two stories to his brother as they helped their father is where his gifted hands were developed. He began his football career in high school after trying to skip classes one day and the principle was awed by his speed as he ran away. The school’s football coach was informed …show more content…
For his rookie season, records report that Rice caught 49 passes for 927 yards. That year he was named NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year. His second year he caught 86 passes for 1,570 yards and had 15 touchdowns. That year was the first of six that Jerry Rice would lead the National Football League in receiving yards and touchdown receptions. His 1987 record of 1,078 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns in 12 games set an NFL record that stood until 2007. That year he was named Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. Rice obtained 64 passes for 1,306 yards and 9 touchdowns in 1988. Rice’s performance in Super Bowl XXIII is known as one of his best games. During the San Francisco 49ers Cincinnati Bengals matchup Jerry Rice caught 11 passes for 215 yards and scored one touchdown. This performance earned him Super Bowl MVP honors for his record setting receptions and receiving yards. The following year, Rice helped the 49ers return to compete in Super Bowl XXIV by obtaining a record of 82 receptions for 1,483 yards and 17 touchdowns during the regular season. Jerry Rice continued to improve each year and in 1990 he led the NFL receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. His record shows as 100 receptions, 1,502 receiving yards, and 13 receiving touchdowns. He continued to have great records for years 1992-1993. In 1994, Jerry Rice helped the San Francisco 49ers return to play for the Super Bowl by setting a career high 112 receptions for 1,499 yards with 13 touchdowns. He played with a separated shoulder, but still managed to help the 49ers win Super Bowl XXIX. His 1994-1996 seasons he accumulated 342 catches for 4.601 yards with 36 touchdowns. Jerry Rice tore his ACL and MCL in his left knee in the 49ers opening game. He returned to play after recovering, but failed to reach 1000 receiving yards in 1999 or 2000, which is the year he left the