CANTON, Ohio – While being inducted into the Hall of Fame, NFL receiving leader Jerry Rice says he believes he still could play.
The man who holds every important pass-catching record as the game breaker in the West Coast offense for the San Francisco 49ers was elected in his first year of eligibility. He became the top receiver in the pro game's most dangerous scheme, combining with Joe Montana and then Steve Young to establish marks that might never be broken.
Rice caught 1,549 passes for 22,895 yards and 208 touchdowns, easily shattering the previous records. He made 10 All-Pro teams, was chosen for 13 Pro Bowls, and made receptions in an almost-unimaginable 274 consecutive games.
Yet, he says, at 47, "I played for 20 years and I still believe in my heart I could play today."
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