Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jerry Rice

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jerry Rice made an impact.

Jerry Rice is widely considered the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, playing for 20 seasons. He achieved legendary status with the San Francisco 49ers, winning three Super Bowl titles. Rice holds numerous NFL records and is renowned for his prolific career totals. He also played for the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks before retiring. His achievements have earned him recognition as one of the greatest players in NFL history and football's greatest player by NFL Network's NFL Films production.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1981: Freshman Season

In 1981, during his freshman season at Mississippi Valley State University, Jerry Rice caught 30 passes for 428 yards and scored two touchdowns.

1982: First Season with Willie Totten

In 1982, Jerry Rice played his first season with freshman quarterback Willie Totten, leading to the formation of 'The Satellite Express.' He caught 66 passes for 1,133 yards and seven touchdowns.

1983: Record-Setting Campaign

Jerry 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 and acquired the nickname "World,".

1984: Record-Breaking Season

As a senior in 1984, Jerry Rice 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. He was named to the Division I-AA All-American team and finished ninth in Heisman Trophy balloting in 1984.

July 1985: Signs Rookie Contract

In July 1985, Jerry Rice signed a five-year rookie contract with the San Francisco 49ers, earning $377,000 per year.

1985: Rice's Draft Year

1985 represents the year Jerry Rice was drafted into the NFL. It was later used in a ceremonial one-day contract with the 49ers at the time of his retirement.

1985: Joins the 49ers

In 1985, Jerry Rice was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers as the 16th overall pick in the NFL draft after playing college football for Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils.

1986: Breakout Season

In 1986, Jerry Rice had a breakout season, leading the league with 86 receptions for 1,570 yards and 15 touchdowns. 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.

1986: First Pro Bowl Selection

In 1986, Jerry Rice was selected to his first Pro Bowl. He continued to be selected to the Pro Bowl for 11 consecutive years, concluding in 1996.

1987: Record-Breaking Season and NFL Offensive Player of the Year

In 1987, Jerry Rice had a record-breaking season with 22 receiving touchdowns in 12 games, surpassing Mark Clayton's previous record. He also accumulated 1,078 receiving yards. Rice was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year, the first wide receiver to receive the award.

1987: Sets Record for Receiving Touchdowns

In 1987, Jerry Rice set a record for the most receiving touchdowns in a single season, with 22 touchdowns in a twelve-game, strike-shortened season.

1988: Wins First Championship

In 1988, Jerry Rice won his first Super Bowl championship with the San Francisco 49ers.

1988: Signing a New Contract and Super Bowl XXIII MVP

In June 1988, Jerry Rice signed a five-year, $5.05 million contract with the 49ers. Despite an ankle injury during the season, Rice had a strong season. He won the Super Bowl XXIII MVP award for his performance with 11 receptions for 215 yards and a touchdown, leading to a 20–16 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

1989: Domination Continues: Super Bowl XXIV Victory

In 1989, Jerry Rice led the league in receiving yards and touchdowns. The 49ers finished with a 14–2 record and won Super Bowl XXIV against the Denver Broncos, with Rice contributing seven receptions for 148 yards and three touchdowns.

1989: Wins Second Championship

In 1989, Jerry Rice won his second Super Bowl championship with the San Francisco 49ers.

1990: Triple Crown Season

In 1990, Jerry Rice led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, becoming the first player in the Super Bowl era to lead the league in all three categories. He recorded a career-best five touchdowns in a game against the Atlanta Falcons on October 14.

1991: Transition and Leadership

In 1991, with Montana injured and other key players gone, Jerry Rice became the remaining star player on the 49ers. He led the league in receiving touchdowns with 14 despite the team missing the postseason.

1992: Contract Dispute and Continued Success

In 1992, Jerry Rice skipped training camp due to contract disputes but eventually signed a three-year, $7.5 million contract. On September 13, Rice suffered a concussion against the Buffalo Bills. On December 6, in Week 14, he surpassed Steve Largent's career receiving touchdown record, scoring his 101st touchdown. The 49ers reached the NFC Championship but lost to the Dallas Cowboys.

1992: Contract Extension

Jerry Rice played in 1992 under the contract he had signed in 1988.

1994: Seasons between 1994-1996

Between 1994 and 1996, Jerry Rice accumulated 342 receptions for 4,601 yards and 36 touchdowns.

1994: Super Bowl Return and Record-Setting Season

In 1994, Jerry Rice returned to the Super Bowl with the 49ers. He recorded 112 receptions for 1,499 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Deion Sanders won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. Rice also started the season strong against the Los Angeles Raiders, setting a new NFL record for career touchdowns at 127. The 49ers defeated the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX, where Rice caught 10 passes for 149 yards and three touchdowns, despite a separated shoulder.

1994: Wins Third Super Bowl

In 1994, Jerry Rice secured his third Super Bowl victory and was also awarded his second Offensive Player of the Year Award.

1995: Record-Setting Season

In 1995, Jerry Rice had a record-setting season. On October 29, 1995, he surpassed James Lofton as the all-time leader in receiving yards with 14,040 against the Saints. He ended the season surpassing Art Monk as the all-time leader in receptions, with 942, and set a new record for most receiving yards in a season, with 1,848 yards.

1996: Last Consecutive Pro Bowl Selection

1996 marked the final year in Jerry Rice's 11-year consecutive selection to the Pro Bowl, having started in 1986.

1996: Publication of "Rice"

In 1996, Jerry Rice co-authored the book "Rice" with Michael Silver.

1997: Knee Injury and Return

During the opening game of the 1997 season, Jerry Rice tore his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee. He made his return 14 weeks later on December 15, 1997, but cracked his left patella during the game.

1998: Full Recovery and 1,000-Yard Season

In 1998, Jerry Rice made a full recovery and recorded 82 catches for 1,157 yards and nine touchdowns. At age 36, he became the oldest receiver to record a 1,000-yard season and returned to the Pro Bowl team.

1998: Selected to the Pro Bowl

In 1998, Jerry Rice was selected to the Pro Bowl.

1999: Season Statistics and Team Struggles

In 1999, Jerry Rice recorded 67 receptions for 830 yards and five touchdowns. This was the first season where Rice failed to reach 1,000 receiving yards while playing in all 16 games. The 49ers struggled as a whole, finishing with a 4–12 record.

2000: Final Season in San Francisco

In 2000, Jerry Rice's final season with the San Francisco 49ers, he recorded 75 receptions for 805 yards and seven touchdowns, again missing 1,000 receiving yards. It was his first season without a 100-yard receiving game. Terrell Owens set the single-game record for receptions, which angered Rice.

June 2001: Release from 49ers and Signing with Raiders

In June 2001, Jerry Rice was released by the 49ers and signed a four-year, $7.8 million contract with the Oakland Raiders due to the emergence of Terrell Owens and the team's desire to rebuild.

June 2001: Released by San Francisco 49ers

In June 2001, after recovering from a knee injury and experiencing a decline in performance, Jerry Rice was released by the San Francisco 49ers.

2002: Pro Bowl Selection and Super Bowl Loss

In 2002, Jerry Rice caught 92 passes for 1,211 yards and seven touchdowns, earning his 13th Pro Bowl selection. He surpassed Walter Payton as the all-time leader in scrimmage yards. The Raiders lost Super Bowl XXXVII against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48-21, marking Rice's first Super Bowl loss, which greatly affected him.

2002: Season Statistics and Team Success

In 2002, Jerry 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.

2002: Last Pro Bowl Selection

In 2002, Jerry Rice was selected to his last Pro Bowl.

2003: Season Statistics and Team Regression

In the 2003 season, Jerry Rice caught 63 passes for 869 yards and two touchdowns. The Oakland Raiders regressed from an 11-5 record in 2002 to a 4-12 record in 2003, leading to the firing of head coach Bill Callahan, which frustrated Rice about his role with the team.

2004: Trade Request

By the fourth game of the 2004 season, Jerry Rice had only five receptions for 64 yards, leading him to request a trade from Raiders owner Al Davis.

2004: Trade to Seahawks and Final Season

In 2004, Jerry Rice was traded to the Seattle Seahawks six games into the season. During a game against the Dallas Cowboys, he set the career record for combined net yards. He finished the season with 30 receptions for 429 yards and three touchdowns. His last non-preseason professional game was a Wild Card Round loss to the St. Louis Rams.

2004: Traded to the Seahawks

Midway through 2004, the Oakland Raiders traded Jerry Rice to the Seattle Seahawks, marking his final season in the NFL.

May 25, 2005: Signing with the Denver Broncos

On May 25, 2005, Jerry Rice signed a one-year contract with the Denver Broncos for $790,000, his lowest contract offer in 20 years. During training camp, he initially moved up to the no. 3 receiver spot but was later bumped down after the preseason. He caught four passes for 24 yards in four preseason games.

September 5, 2005: Retirement Announcement

On September 5, 2005, after 20 seasons, Jerry Rice announced his retirement from the NFL. He only received his guaranteed money of $25,000 from the Denver Broncos since he did not play any regular season games for them.

2005: Retirement

Shortly before the start of the 2005 regular season, Jerry Rice retired from professional football after briefly signing with the Denver Broncos.

August 2006: Contract with 49ers and Retirement

In August 2006, the 49ers announced Jerry 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, a ceremonial number representing the year Rice was drafted (1985), his No. 80, the year he retired (2006), and the 49ers (49).

November 19, 2006: Halftime Ceremony

On November 19, 2006, during the 49ers' game against the Seattle Seahawks, a halftime ceremony was held to honor Jerry Rice.

2007: Publication of "Go Long"

In 2007, Jerry Rice co-authored the book "Go Long: My Journey Beyond the Game and the Fame" with Brian Curtis.

2007: Randy Moss Breaks Rice's Touchdown Record

In 2007, Randy Moss broke Jerry Rice's record for receiving touchdowns in a season, scoring 23 touchdowns.

2008: Fitzgerald Breaks Rice's Postseason Records

In 2008, Larry Fitzgerald broke Jerry Rice's postseason records for receiving yards and touchdowns.

August 7, 2010: Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction

On August 7, 2010, Jerry Rice was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

September 20, 2010: 49ers Jersey Retirement

On September 20, 2010, during halftime of a game against the Saints, the 49ers retired Jerry Rice's No. 80 jersey.

2012: Single-Season Receiving Yards Record Broken

In 2012, Calvin Johnson broke Jerry Rice's single-season receiving yards record that was set in 1995.

2014: Jerry Rice Jr. Participates in 49ers Pro Day

In 2014, Jerry Rice Jr. participated in a 49ers local pro day before the NFL draft but was not drafted.

2015: League Records Held

As of the end of the 2015 NFL season, Jerry Rice held multiple league records.

2019: Publication of "America's Game"

In 2019, Jerry Rice co-authored the book "America's Game: The NFL at 100" with Randy O. Williams, celebrating the NFL's 100th anniversary.

2022: Partnership with American Red Cross

In 2022, Jerry Rice partnered with the American Red Cross to raise awareness about blood donations.

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