America's Game by Jerry Rice

Author:Jerry Rice
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins

Jerry Rice on MNF

“I never think about records. The most important thing is to win,” 49ers receiver Jerry Rice said. But on this Monday night, September 5, 1994, the Hall of Fame receiver would get both.

In front of the home crowd at Candlestick Park, Jerry Rice passed Jim Brown’s record of 126 career touchdowns in a 44–14 win over the Los Angeles Raiders.

Jerry: I remember that play vividly. We break the huddle, and I go on motion, where I see Tim Brown, the Raiders’ wide receiver, standing almost halfway on the field. I hear him say, “Jerry, you better not break this record against us on Monday Night Football!” I run straight down the field trying to stretch the defense, and I look back to see the ball that Steve Young had thrown was really high.

Everything slowed down. I could see the rotation on the ball. I could not hear the crowd. You hear athletes all the time talk about being “in the zone.” Coach Walsh always talked to his receivers about going up and attacking the ball. Don’t give the defender any extra time or opportunities. I remember reaching for the ball with two Raiders going for it as well. I was able to hold on to it. Jim Brown, the greatest football player ever. To break his record on Monday Night Football is something I will never forget.

By the time his career was over, number 127 had become 208.

Late the next season, JR submitted one of the greatest performances by a wideout in the history of Monday Night Football. On December 18, 1995, Rice caught 14 passes for 289 yards (both MNF records) and two touchdowns, leading the 49ers to a 37–30 win over the Vikings.

The 49ers receiver explained how being on that platform inspired him:

Monday Night Football, everybody is watching. Monday Night Football, you can make a statement. Let opponents know if you were going up against the 49ers or against me, it was going to be a battle for four quarters. I loved performing on that stage. If you go back and look at my football games, on Monday Night Football, Sunday night football, the playoffs and the Super Bowl, I felt I had to be at my very best and excel at those times. I felt I could play my best football on those stages and not a lot of players can do that. Focus in that way. They don’t want that pressure. I loved the pressure. It brought out the best in me. And that is when I think I played my best football.

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