Jerry Rice is widely considered one of the best wide receivers in NFL history. Rice's son, Brenden Rice, followed in his father's footsteps and recently became an NFL receiver.
The younger Rice finished his college football career with 1,821 receiving yards. Earlier this year, he declared for the NFL Draft and last month he fell to the Los Angeles Chargers in the seventh round.
While many projections had Brenden as a Day 2 or Day 2 pick, his slide to the final round of the draft took some by surprise, especially his Hall of Fame father.
“My dad was hot,” Rice told reporters while smiling. “You guys catch the flash as…the humble guy, right? Me, he's like, 'Hell no, we're going to take this to a different level. These guys are going to feel us.'”
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Jerry Rice poses for a photo with his son, Brenden Rice #WO25 of Southern California, during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/Getty Images)
Rice attended his friend's funeral the same day the Chargers called him and told him he would be one of their draft picks.
“It was like a blessing from God because he allowed me to go ahead and just grieve my friend's death,” Rice said, “and then move on and be happy, and it was a glorious day.”
THE SON OF NFL LEGEND JERRY RICE BELIEVES HE AND CALEB WILLIAMS COULD BE THE NEXT TOM BRADY-ROB GRONKOWSKI DUOT
He found the silver lining in his unexpected fall into the air current. The 22-year-old now has a chance to catch passes from quarterback Justin Herbert.
“I'm in the best possible position to move forward and leave my mark and my own legacy. I went from Caleb Williams to Justin Herbert, and I'm in a room that will allow me to compete, day in and day out. All day long,” Rice said.
Former professional football player and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice talks with his son, Brenden Rice #2 of the USC Trojans, after the spring football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on the 15th April 2023 in Los Angeles. , California. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
The Chargers moved on from wide receiver Mike Williams and traded six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen this offseason, giving Rice the opportunity to play a major role in the team's offense.
“It's all on me. If you guys don't see me this fall, that's on me. If you guys see me out there, then I'll do the work necessary to put my best foot in the door and go out there and produce.”
USC quarterback Caleb Williams, right, talks with Austin Jones, No. 6, Brenden Rice, No. 2, and Tahj Washington, No. 16, at the Pro Day at USC on Wednesday, Jan. 20. March 2024. (David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)
Rice spent the first two seasons of his college football career at Colorado, before transferring to USC in 2022.
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Brenden suggested that it is yet to be determined whether he is a better athlete than his father, but he is certainly motivated to surpass his father's NFL rookie production.
“I feel like we're neck and neck. I'm faster and I heard his rookie season in the NFL wasn't good,” Rice said. “I have to get over it.”
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