Niner Noise
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49ers: 5 Worst Free-Agent Losses in Franchise History

By James LeBreton

Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers former players Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott, and Jerry Rice laugh on the sideline during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers former players Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott, and Jerry Rice laugh on the sideline during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 29, 2016; Kahuku, HI, USA; Jerry Rice gestures during 2016 Pro Bowl practice at Turtle Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2016; Kahuku, HI, USA; Jerry Rice gestures during 2016 Pro Bowl practice at Turtle Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Jerry Rice

What else can you say about Jerry Rice that hasn’t already been said? He’s been called the greatest receiver of all time. There are very few people who would argue with that. He’s also been called the greatest football player of all time.

Drafted number 16 overall in 1985 out of Mississippi Valley State, Rice stormed into the league and never looked back.

He holds over 100 NFL records that still stand today, but most notably he is the all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, touchdowns and touchdown receptions. Jerry was selected to 13 Pro Bowls,  is a ten time All-Pro and has amassed 15 one thousand yard seasons. He made the All-Decade team twice and was voted Super Bowl XXIII MVP.

In fact, the only thing more amazing than his on-field performance were his off-season workouts. When he took the field it was business as usual, but make no mistakes, he was having a blast the whole time.

Rice was the heart and soul of the 49ers offense for many years, not to mention the go-to-guy every time he took the field. Every catch was spectacular, every drop was circus-like and every play was for the fans.

Unfortunately, all great things must to come to an end. During the home finale against the Chicago Bears in the year 2000, Jerry played his last game as a 49er. Due to the emergence of Terrell Owens, he too played the role of an aging player with whom the franchise felt was on the decline. And boy were they wrong.

In 2001 Jerry signed with the Oakland Raiders where he would play along side Tim Brown. In three years he amassed two more thousand yard seasons, was selected to his thirteenth Pro Bowl and went on to play in his fifth Super Bowl. Not bad for a guy on the decline. He played 20 total seasons and every year he played with the heart of a champion.

On August 24, 2006 Jerry Rice retired as a member of the San Francisco 49ers. After signing a one-day contract, he came back to retire in the place where it all began.

More importantly, he came home to the place where he never should’ve left.

Next: Joe Montana