49ers news: Jerry Rice sends endorsement of Justin Fields

The 49ers’ greatest of all time, Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, shot off an endorsement of Justin Fields ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft.

If there’s one player who has known great quarterbacks, it’s San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, who had the pleasure of playing alongside all-time greats like Joe Montana and Steve Young for the bulk of his career.

So, with the Niners pegged to draft a quarterback at No. 3 overall this upcoming April 29, it’s not too shocking the GOAT would have some serious interest in head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch’s selection.

Rice’s apparent favorite? Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields.

Jerry Rice’s drops hint 49ers should draft Justin Fields

San Francisco’s No. 1 all-time player has never been shy about which players he feels the 49ers should grab and which ones could make the biggest impact. And while the 2021 NFL Draft is laden with first-round quarterbacking talent, Rice is completely set on Fields.

The Hall of Famer took to Instagram to express his support of Ohio State’s quarterback on Wednesday:

“Justin Fields. Hey, man. Don’t worry about what they’re saying about you, brother,” Rice said in the post. “We know that you’re a hard worker and you enjoy what you’re doing on the football field. You inspire your teammates to be better.”

There were some previous reports questioning Fields’ work ethic, although those suggestions have been met with some obvious and understandable criticism.

Sounds like Rice is next in line to join the critique, also propping up Fields as a top prospect.

“They said the same thing about me,” Rice continued. “They said I couldn’t run a 40 [yard dash]. I might have run a 4.5 or 4.6, I’m not even sure. But for one thing, they didn’t clock me on my way to the end zone because nobody could catch me. So let that stuff just blow over your head, man.”

Surely a GOAT-like statement.

“Congratulations. I’m sure you’re looking forward to the draft, and hopefully, you go high,” Rice finished.

While he didn’t come out and directly say it, Rice sure seems to be on board with the idea the 49ers go after Fields with the No. 3 overall pick. He might have some understanding of it, too, as the Niners once moved up from the last pick in Round 1 back in the 1985 NFL Draft to grab him 16th overall out of Mississippi Valley State.

That move sure worked out well for San Francisco. Maybe its aggressive trade-up to No. 3 in this year’s draft will have a similar effect on the franchise, too.