Tom Brady Named the Greatest Wide Receiver in NFL History

Given he played in 10 Super Bowls and won seven of them, Tom Brady is often described by fans as one of the greatest NFL players of all time. As quarterback for the New England Patriots, he was considered one of the most famous athletes of all time. He is a player who transcended his sport. This was a man for the big occasion. On five occasions, he was named MVP at the Super Bowl. The last time he was given the accolade was after he guided the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Super Bowl.

Brady certainly knew how to throw that ball. He also has an innate understanding of the qualities required to be a wide receiver. The best in that position are match winners. Players who have pace and great athletic ability. Brady himself enjoyed playing with the likes of Wes Welker and Julian Edelman, both fine wide receivers in their own right. Yet the player Brady considers the greatest ever wide receiver wasn’t a teammate of his at either the Patriots or the Bucs.

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Tom Brady Acknowledges All-Time Great Wide Receiver

Wide receivers like Terrell Owens, who played in Brady’s era for the 49ers, the Eagles and the Cowboys, are on the list for best ever wide receiver. When it comes to the greatest ever wide receiver, Brady is clear; Jerry Rice is the undisputed number one. Rice won three Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers in the 1980s and 1990s. He also played at the Pro Bowl in 13 different seasons.

Like Brady, Rice brought a unique dedication to his craft. He was particularly fond of brutal hill runs as part of his workout. During his illustrious career, Rice’s numbers include 1,549 receptions, 22,895 yards and 197 touchdowns. It was a long career too. He competed in the NFL for 20 years. After leaving the 49ers, Rice played for the Oakland Raiders, the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos.

Jerry Rice is One of the Greatest 49ers Players in NFL History

One of the greatest San Francisco 49ers of all time, Rice has always remained humble when it comes to his abilities. He made this clear when he previously spoke to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

I don’t think I’m such a natural. I think what I’m doing is very hard work. I work hard to keep in shape, I work hard on the practice field, and I work hard in a game.

The former wide receiver is self-effacing on his standing in the game, but there’s no doubting his delivery in the biggest games. Rice scored a record eight touchdowns in Super Bowls. During Super Bowl XXIV, Rice scored three touchdowns in the 49ers’ 55-10 victory over the Denver Broncos. The previous year, he was named Super Bowl MVP. In that game, he caught 11 passes for 215 yards. He, of course, scored a touchdown in that game too. Rice enjoyed playing with legendary quarterback Joe Montana.

Mindset was one area that Brady and Rice agreed on. They both wanted to be the best. For Rice, the fear of failure was a driver. Brady also had a relationship with failure. Although he has always seen failure as a great teacher. In another similarity with Tom Brady’s career, Rice had great longevity. The 49ers released him when he was 38. Rather than retire, he joined the Oakland Raiders.

He helped the Raiders get to Super Bowl XXXVII. He even scored a touchdown in that game, but the Raiders ended up losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But NFL fans will always remember Rice in the red, white and gold uniform of the 49ers. It was there he struck fear into the hearts of NFL defenses across the land. Tom Brady remembers and looks at Rice as the best.