49ers: Ranking San Francisco's GOATs at each position

Ranking the San Francisco 49ers GOATs at each position.

By James Jones | Jul 24, 2019

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 20: Former San Francisco 49ers player Jerry Rice is seen during a ceremony honoring the 1981-82 team at halftime of the NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Levi's Stadium on December 20, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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17 Dec 2000: Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers is defended by Jerry Azumah of the Chicago Bears during their game at 3Comm Park in San Francisco, California. San Francisco went on to win 17-0. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/ALLSPORT /

Wide Receiver 1: Jerry Rice

After finishing his 49ers career with 1,281 receptions for 19,247 yards, 176 touchdowns through the air and 10 more on the ground, Jerry Rice has an argument as the greatest football player of all time.

For our purposes, though, he’s the greatest wide receiver to ever wear the red and gold.

When a man has set multiple receiving records, some of which will likely never be broken, statistics speak for themselves. There will never be another receiver with the drive, focus and determination Rice gave to the 49ers.

While he went on to play for other teams, his career and legacy were forged in San Francisco. As such, on Aug. 24, 2006, Rice signed a one-day contract with the 49ers so that he could retire with the team who drafted him.

Once a Niner, always a Niner.