The signature moment from the San Francisco 49ers' brief playoff run this season came on a trick play with wide receiver Jauan Jennings throwing a touchdown pass to running back Christian McCaffrey.
It was an awesome moment that helped the Niners upset the defending Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles on their home turf, and it turns out that 49ers legend Jerry Rice actually executed a nearly identical play during his career.
Rice was asked about San Francisco's trick play against Philadelphia, and he brought up a play back during the 1995 season against the Atlanta Falcons. Quarterback Steve Young handed the ball off to a running back, who then handed it off to Rice who was running a reverse.
The exchange was not clean, so Rice bobbled the ball for a second before getting a grip and firing a dart down the field to wide receiver J.J. Stokes.
Watching the play below, it is remarkable how similar the two plays are.
Jerry Rice said Jauan Jennings touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey against the Eagles reminded him of his own version of the “Skyy Bang Reverse” that the 49ers ran in 1995. Jerry connected with JJ Stokes for a touchdown against the Falcons pic.twitter.com/t6FdInP9Jx
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) February 2, 2026
In Rice's career, he completed three of 10 pass attempts for 71 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Rice is the greatest wide receiver of all time who accomplished so many impressive feats, but he called that trick play one of the highlights of his career.
While Rice has just a bit of a leg up over Jennings when it comes to receiving stats, Jennings has his number as a passer. The former high school quarterback has completed two passes in his NFL career for a total of 50 yards with both plays resulting in a touchdown.
The other one was also a passing touchdown to running back Christian McCaffrey in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs in early 2024.
Jennings has talked about how cool the play against Philadelphia was and how he didn't even see the play unfold because he took a huge hit after letting go of the ball, which ironically, resulted in a roughing the passer penalty.
The fiery wide receiver may be known more for antagonizing opponents and blocking guys into the water coolers on the sideline, but he now has a reputation as arguably the best dual wide receiver-quarterback threat in the NFL.
The season ended in disappointment a week later in Seattle, but man, was it sweet to take down the Eagles, thanks in part to an amazing trick play that Rice replicated himself back in his playing days.