Class of 2018 Finalist Spotlight: Isaac Bruce

Former St. Louis Rams wide receiver Isaac Bruce was recently named a finalist for the Class of 2018. If elected, Bruce would become the 26th wide receiver enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. There has been a wide receiver enshrined into the HOF in four out of the last five classes.

Bruce was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round (33rd player overall) of the 1994 NFL Draft.

Known for his precise route-running and tireless work ethic, Bruce totaled 1,024 receptions for 15,208 yards and 91 touchdowns during a 16-year career with the Rams (1994-2007) and San Francisco 49ers (2008-09). His receptions total ranked fifth and his receiving yardage placed him second in NFL history at the time of his retirement.

Bruce earned a starting role with the Rams in his second season and produced one of the greatest seasons by a wide receiver in league history. He totaled 119 receptions for 1,781 yards and 13 TDs. The yardage total would have been a new NFL record had Jerry Rice not posted 1,848 yards that same season. Bruce was also the first in NFL history to record three consecutive games with 170 or more receiving yards (181, 191, 173).

Bruce produced eight 1,000-yards seasons and 10 seasons in which he recorded 60 or more receptions.

In 1999, Bruce was a key ingredient in the Rams’ surprise turnaround from a team that had not finished higher than third place in the NFC Western Division in nine seasons to a first-place finish and a Super Bowl victory. Bruce’s 77 receptions for 1,165 and 12 touchdowns earned him an All-Pro nod and helped prime the Rams to a then-franchise best 13-3 record. In Super Bowl XXXIV, Bruce grabbed six receptions for 162 yards (third most in Super Bowl history) and one touchdown. The touchdown was a 73-yard reception that proved to be the game winner with 1:54 remaining in contest.

Bruce, who recorded 42 100-yard games during his career, earned four Pro Bowl invitations during his 223-game career.

The former Rams wide continued to give back to the community after he retired from playing football. Bruce founded the Isaac Bruce Foundation in 2006, which focuses on health, wellness, nutrition, fitness and education for youth. He also performs youth ministry work at his church and volunteered a wide receivers coach at his alma mater, Dillard High.

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