HOF - This Saturday August 7th, the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio will introduce seven new names to be enshrined like it does annually. The difference this year? Collectively, the class of 2010 just might be the best class the Hall has ever seen. With names such as Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Russ Grim, Rickey Jackson, John Randle, Dick LeBeau, and Floyd Little, it's hard to name a better class off the top of your head. One name that sticks out in particular to 49er fans and football fans alike, is Jerry Rice. Highly regarded as the best to ever play the game, Rice was dubbed the nickname the GOAT aka the greatest of all-time. As a child growing up during his prime, I was fortunate enough to witness Rice at his very best. And with numerous records and achievements under his belt, it's hard to debate we'll ever see a player quite like Mr. Rice again.
Just to get an idea of what Jerry Rice's resume looks like, here's a few records and stats he compiled during his 20-year career in the NFL. Rice is the all-time leader in the following: Receptions (1,549), Reception yards (22,895), 100-yard Receiving games (76), Receiving Touchdowns (197), Total touchdowns (208), Yards from scrimmage (23, 540), 50+ Reception seasons (17), 1,000+ Receiving yard seasons (14), Single-season Receiving yards (1,848), and Consecutive games with a touchdown Reception (13).
No three words sounded better together than "Montana to Rice", when the two 49er greats connected with one another on the field and most likely ending in the end-zone. The tandem created what many consider to be the deadliest QB-WR duo the game has ever seen. And just like Rice is regarded as the greatest WR to ever play his position, Joe Montana is regarded as the best QB to ever play the game. But that story lives to be told another day. Or another blog rather. Steve Young and Jerry Rice were also a great one-two punch. Other than Jerry's on the field success that shares the likes of 3-Super Bowl rings, a Super Bowl MVP, 13-Pro Bowl selections, 1-Pro Bowl MVP and 2-NFL Offensive Player of the Year Awards, the 1985 Rookie of the Year is also respected and known for his work ethic and dedication to the game of football. And when Jerry wasn't on the field catching balls and taking licks, he was training in the most extreme conditions, torching himself like that of none other. Just look up his infamous conditioning routine when he ran what's been called, "The Hill." Believe me, you'll get tired and worn out just reading about it.
And not to be forgotten is another one of the games greats -- Emmitt Smith. Throughout his 14-year career, most notably with the Dallas Cowboys (1990-2002) before serving two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (2003-2004) and calling it quits, Smith ran for 18,355 yards, thus making him the NFL's all-time leading rusher. Although his list of records isn't as lengthy as Rice's, they're equally remarkable. Smith tops the charts in all-time Rushing yards (18,355), Rushing attempts (4,409), Rushing touchdowns (164), and 100-yard Rushing games (78).
Emmitt's 175 total touchdowns ranks him second all-time only behind the aforementioned Jerry Rice. To add to his feats, Smith is an 8-time Pro Bowler, a Super Bowl MVP, an NFL MVP (1993), and recipient of the 1990 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Similar to his counterpart Rice, Smith is also a 3-time Super Bowl Champion and a proud owner of a Super Bowl MVP Award. Smith and Rice are the only two non-kickers to score 1,000 points in a career. And what do ya know, both starred on the hit reality series 'Dancing with the Stars'. However, Emmitt has Jerry beat as far as dancing goes as Smith was the winner of his season in the Fall of '06. Rice on the other hand was the runner-up in his try one season earlier.
How fitting is it that the greatest players at their respective positions (WR & RB) are in the same Hall of Fame class and were once upon a time on opposite ends of the greatest rivalry in the game, 49ers-Cowboys. Both of whom are also being inducted in their first year of eligibility. It's a shame when players like T.O. are dropping perfect passes or fail to show up to practice on time and rather hold out, leaving their team to suffer, while Jerry Rice practiced on his spare time at home catching bricks...BRICKS! So let this be a lesson learned to all you football players out there. Don't let not having an official pigskin around spoil your fun and just remember that the games greatest used bricks of all things. And perhaps you too could one day achieve Football immortality.
Congratulations Jerry & Emmitt!
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