Jerry Rice's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Jerry Rice. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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

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.

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: Runner-up for MVP and Awards

In 1987, Jerry Rice finished as the runner-up for MVP and also won two NFL Offensive Player of The Year Awards, and a Bert Bell Award.

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.

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.

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.

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: Runner-up for MVP

In 1995, Jerry Rice finished as the runner-up for MVP for the second time in his career.

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.

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: Sporting News Ranking

In 1999, Jerry Rice was ranked No. 2 on the Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, only behind Jim Brown.

2000: ESPY Award

In 2000, Jerry Rice won the ESPY Award for Pro Football Player of the Decade for the 1990s.

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.

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.

2006: Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame

In 2006, Jerry Rice was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

2007: Inducted into Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame

In 2007, Jerry Rice was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.

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.

November 4, 2010: Ranked No. 1 on NFL's Greatest Players List

On November 4, 2010, Jerry Rice was ranked No. 1 on The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players.

2010: Inducted into Black College Football Hall of Fame

In 2010, Jerry Rice was in the inaugural class of the Black College Football Hall of Fame.

2010: NFL Network's Top 100

In 2010, NFL Network's NFL Films production, The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players, selected Jerry Rice as the greatest player in NFL history.

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2011: Inaugural Jerry Rice Award

In 2011, The Sports Network awarded the inaugural Jerry Rice Award, given annually to the most outstanding freshman Football Championship Subdivision player. The inaugural winner was Towson running back Terrance West.