Moments in NFL History: Jerry Rice sets touchdown record
There’snoquestionthatJerryRiceisthegreatestathleteandgreatestfootballplayerthathaseverputonauniform.Edward DeBartolo Jr.
As the person who brought a young JERRY RICE to the Bay Area out of Mississippi Valley State in 1985, then-San Francisco 49ers owner EDWARD DEBARTOLO JR. might be biased in calling Rice the greatest to play pro football.
On the surface, this not-so-well-known wide receiver out of a small Division I-AA school was considered a shot in the dark. He finished his collegiate career with 301 receptions, 4,693 yards and 50 touchdowns, propelling him to be selected 16th overall by the 49ers.
After a modest rookie year, during which he caught only three touchdowns, Rice’s career blossomed. Starting in 1986 and running to 1996, he was named as a first-team All-Pro 10 times and the AP Offensive Player of the Year twice. Over his 20-year NFL career, he led the league in receiving six times, touchdowns six times, yards per game six times and receptions twice.
It was on this date (Sept. 5) in 1994, when Rice further cemented his name in pro football history. He entered the 1994 NFL season with 124 total touchdowns, three short of breaking now-fellow Hall of Famer JIM BROWN’s record of 126. The 49ers opened the season in Candlestick Park on a Monday night against an in-state rival, the Los Angeles Raiders.
Rice came out of the tunnel on fire, scoring on a 69-yard touchdown pass from quarterback STEVE YOUNG on the 49ers’ first possession of the game, bringing Rice’s total to 125. It took until the fourth quarter for Rice to reach 126. He scampered 23 yards on an end-around for No. 126, pushing the 49ers’ lead to 36-14. With a win imminent, the staff removed Rice and Young from the game.
After some persuasive talking, head coach George Seifert relented and let them both return. With 4:13 left on the clock, Young connected with Rice on a 38-yard touchdown pass to break the career touchdown record.
Rice sits atop the NFL leaderboard in numerous categories, including career receptions (1,432), receiving yards (22,895) and touchdown catches (197). He would score 81 more times after his record-reaching Monday night performance, pushing his total touchdowns mark to 208.
Only three active players have eclipsed 100 total touchdowns, leaving Rice’s record untouchable for many years to come.
