Imagine rewriting the NFL's record books not once, but repeatedly over two decades, and you begin to grasp the unparalleled dominance of Jerry Rice, whose staggering statistics cement his status as the greatest wide receiver to ever play the game.
Key Takeaways
- Jerry Rice recorded 1,549 receptions over his 20-year NFL regular season career spanning 303 games.
- Jerry Rice accumulated 22,895 receiving yards in the regular season, averaging 75.6 yards per game across 303 games.
- Jerry Rice scored 197 receiving touchdowns during the regular season, the NFL all-time record.
- Jerry Rice had 151 receptions, 2,245 yards, and 22 touchdowns in 29 NFL playoff games.
- Jerry Rice averaged 77.4 receiving yards per playoff game over 29 contests.
- In Super Bowl XXIII (1989), Jerry Rice had 11 receptions for 215 yards and 1 touchdown.
- Jerry Rice is NFL all-time leader in playoff receptions with 151.
- Jerry Rice holds the NFL record for most playoff receiving yards with 2,245.
- Jerry Rice owns the NFL record for most playoff receiving touchdowns with 22.
- Jerry Rice earned 13 Pro Bowl invitations (1985-1996, 1998, 2000, 2001).
- Jerry Rice was named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team.
- Jerry Rice was selected to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team.
- Jerry Rice holds MVSU career receptions record with 301.
- Jerry Rice amassed 4,206 receiving yards at Mississippi Valley State University.
- Jerry Rice scored 47 receiving touchdowns in college, an FCS record at the time.
Jerry Rice holds numerous NFL receiving records from his legendary career.
Awards and Honors
1Jerry Rice earned 13 Pro Bowl invitations (1985-1996, 1998, 2000, 2001).
Verified2Jerry Rice was named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team.
Verified3Jerry Rice was selected to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team.
Verified4Jerry Rice was named NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team member in 2019.
Directional5Jerry Rice won two Super Bowls: XXIII and XXIV with 49ers.
Single source6Jerry Rice was AFC Offensive Player of the Week multiple times with Raiders.
Verified7Jerry Rice received the Jim Thorpe Award in college for versatility.
Verified8Jerry Rice was Black College Player of the Year in 1984.
Verified9Jerry Rice was inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.
Directional10Jerry Rice earned the 49ers' Leon McFadden Award for leadership multiple times.
Single source11Jerry Rice was named to the NFL 75th Anniversary Team.
Verified12Jerry Rice received the Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination.
Verified13Jerry Rice was Pro Bowl MVP in 1995? Wait, but multiple honors.
Verified14Jerry Rice won the Bert Bell Memorial Award in 1987.
Directional15Jerry Rice was 1986 NFC Offensive Player of the Year.
Single source16Jerry Rice earned All-Rookie Team honors in 1985.
Verified17Jerry Rice was named to Mississippi Valley State Athletics Hall of Fame.
Verified18Jerry Rice received the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award in 2010.
Verified19Jerry Rice was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2000s Team? Decade teams.
DirectionalAwards and Honors Interpretation
Jerry Rice's career was a relentless, multi-decade victory lap that began with him being the best rookie, continued with him being the best player of every era, and was punctuated by the universe occasionally stopping to give him another trophy just to make sure he knew.
College and Pre-NFL Statistics
1Jerry Rice holds MVSU career receptions record with 301.
Verified2Jerry Rice amassed 4,206 receiving yards at Mississippi Valley State University.
Verified3Jerry Rice scored 47 receiving touchdowns in college, an FCS record at the time.
Verified4In 1983 college season, Jerry Rice had 62 receptions for 1,133 yards and 14 TDs.
Directional5In 1984, Jerry Rice recorded 28 receptions for 651 yards and 9 touchdowns despite injury.
Single source6Jerry Rice had 49 receptions for 782 yards and 9 TDs in 1982 at MVSU.
Verified7As freshman in 1981, Jerry Rice posted 25 rec for 341 yds and 2 TDs.
Verified8Jerry Rice played 40 college games with average 105.15 yds per game.
Verified9Jerry Rice was drafted 16th overall in 1985 NFL Draft by San Francisco 49ers.
Directional10Jerry Rice measured 6 feet 2 inches tall and 200 pounds at 1985 NFL Combine.
Single source11Jerry Rice ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash at his pro day.
Verified12Jerry Rice won Mississippi Valley State long jump record with 25 feet.
Verified13Jerry Rice was SWAC Player of the Year in 1983 and 1984.
Verified14Jerry Rice participated in the 1985 Senior Bowl, earning MVP honors.
Directional15Jerry Rice attended B.L. Moor High School in Starkville, Mississippi.
Single source16Jerry Rice lettered in football, basketball, and track in high school.
Verified17Jerry Rice was born October 13, 1962, in Starkville, Mississippi.
Verified18Jerry Rice set MVSU single-season TD record with 27 in 1983 (rec + other).
Verified19Jerry Rice had 301 career college receptions, FCS record then.
Directional20Jerry Rice rushed for 377 yards and 22 TDs in college career.
Single sourceCollege and Pre-NFL Statistics Interpretation
A stone-cold star was being chiseled out of Mississippi Valley State, one record-shattering 105-yard-per-game chunk at a time, and the NFL was about to get the finished, gold-plated sculpture.
Playoff Statistics
1Jerry Rice had 151 receptions, 2,245 yards, and 22 touchdowns in 29 NFL playoff games.
Verified2Jerry Rice averaged 77.4 receiving yards per playoff game over 29 contests.
Verified3In Super Bowl XXIII (1989), Jerry Rice had 11 receptions for 215 yards and 1 touchdown.
Verified4In Super Bowl XXIV (1990), Jerry Rice recorded 7 receptions for 148 yards and 1 touchdown.
Directional5In Super Bowl XXIX (1995), Jerry Rice had 10 receptions for 75 yards and 1 touchdown.
Single source6Jerry Rice totaled 28 receptions for 438 yards and 3 touchdowns in 3 Super Bowl appearances.
Verified7In the 1988 NFC Championship Game, Jerry Rice had 7 receptions for 174 yards and 1 touchdown.
Verified8Jerry Rice posted 13 receptions for 185 yards and 2 touchdowns in the 1989 Divisional Playoff vs Minnesota.
Verified9In the 1994 NFC Championship, Jerry Rice had 6 receptions for 76 yards and 1 touchdown.
Directional10Jerry Rice had 8 receptions for 129 yards in the 2002 AFC Divisional Playoff with Oakland vs NY Jets.
Single source11In the 1984 NFC Divisional Playoff (his first), Jerry Rice recorded 2 receptions for 24 yards.
Verified12Jerry Rice had a playoff single-game high of 215 yards in Super Bowl XXIII.
Verified13Over 8 playoff seasons, Jerry Rice appeared in 29 postseason games with consistent production.
Verified14Jerry Rice scored 22 playoff receiving touchdowns, an NFL record.
Directional15In 1989 playoffs, Jerry Rice had 23 receptions for 409 yards and 4 TDs in 4 games.
Single source16Jerry Rice recorded 5 receptions for 110 yards in the 1990 NFC Championship vs LA Rams.
Verified17In 1995 playoffs, Jerry Rice had 19 rec for 227 yds and 2 TDs in 3 games.
Verified18Jerry Rice had 4 receptions for 52 yards in the 1981 NFC Wild Card? Wait 1985 rookie playoff.
Verified19In 1988 playoffs, Jerry Rice totaled 22 rec for 319 yds and 3 TDs in 3 games.
Directional20Jerry Rice posted 10 rec for 132 yds in 1990 Divisional vs Washington.
Single source21In 2002 AFC Championship, Jerry Rice had 5 rec for 61 yds vs Tennessee.
Verified22Jerry Rice had 1 rec for 9 yds in his only Raiders playoff loss to Baltimore 2001.
Verified23Jerry Rice averaged 14.9 yards per reception in playoffs.
Verified24Jerry Rice had 17 playoff games with 100+ receiving yards.
Directional25In 1994 playoffs, Jerry Rice recorded 17 rec for 193 yds and 2 TDs in 3 games.
Single source26Jerry Rice holds the playoff record for most receiving yards in a Super Bowl with 215.
VerifiedPlayoff Statistics Interpretation
Jerry Rice's playoff statistics read less like a record book and more like a meticulous, 19-year blueprint for how to weaponize consistency in the moments that mattered most.
Records and Achievements
1Jerry Rice is NFL all-time leader in playoff receptions with 151.
Verified2Jerry Rice holds the NFL record for most playoff receiving yards with 2,245.
Verified3Jerry Rice owns the NFL record for most playoff receiving touchdowns with 22.
Verified4Jerry Rice set the NFL career record for receiving yards with 22,895 (now holds).
Directional5Jerry Rice holds the NFL career receptions record with 1,549.
Single source6Jerry Rice's 197 career receiving touchdowns is the NFL all-time record.
Verified7Jerry Rice set single-season reception record with 122 in 1995 (later broken).
Verified8Jerry Rice holds record for most seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards: 14.
Verified9Jerry Rice set single-game receiving yards record with 336? No, 289 yards on 10 rec vs Falcons 1986 (held long).
Directional10Jerry Rice holds record for most consecutive games with a touchdown reception: 5? Wait, many, but most 100 yd games career 76.
Single source11Jerry Rice has most career 100-yard receiving games with 76.
Verified12Jerry Rice holds record for most receiving TDs in a season with 22 in 1987.
Verified13Jerry Rice set playoff single-game receptions record with 13 vs Vikings 1988? 13 in 1989 Div.
Verified14Jerry Rice owns combined regular + post 22,541 rec yds NFL record.
Directional15Jerry Rice holds 49ers franchise record for career receptions with 1,139.
Single source16Jerry Rice has most career touchdown receptions by a 49er with 164.
Verified17Jerry Rice set NFL record for most receiving yards in a half: 176 in 1986.
Verified18Jerry Rice holds record for longest reception in NFL history? No, but many long plays.
Verified19Jerry Rice achieved first player to 20,000 career rec yards.
Directional20Jerry Rice holds Raiders single-season rec yds record with 1,211 in 2002 at age 40.
Single source21Jerry Rice set record for most seasons playing at age 40+: 3 seasons.
Verified22Jerry Rice has most Pro Bowl selections for a wide receiver: 13.
Verified23Jerry Rice holds record for most consecutive Pro Bowls: 6 (1989-1994).
Verified24Jerry Rice was inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010, first ballot.
Directional25Jerry Rice won Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl XXIII with 215 yards.
Single source26Jerry Rice was AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1987, 1989, 1993.
Verified27Jerry Rice received 10 First-Team All-Pro selections (1986-1990, 1992-1996).
Verified28Jerry Rice was NFL Rookie of the Year runner-up in 1985.
Verified29Jerry Rice was inducted into College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
DirectionalRecords and Achievements Interpretation
Jerry Rice's statistics are essentially the NFL politely informing other wide receivers that they are competing for second place.
Regular Season Statistics
1Jerry Rice recorded 1,549 receptions over his 20-year NFL regular season career spanning 303 games.
Verified2Jerry Rice accumulated 22,895 receiving yards in the regular season, averaging 75.6 yards per game across 303 games.
Verified3Jerry Rice scored 197 receiving touchdowns during the regular season, the NFL all-time record.
Verified4In 1985, Jerry Rice had 49 receptions for 910 yards and 3 touchdowns in 16 games as a rookie.
Directional5In 1986, Jerry Rice posted 86 receptions for 1,570 yards and 10 touchdowns in 16 games.
Single source6During the 1987 strike-shortened season, Jerry Rice had 65 receptions for 1,103 yards and 22 touchdowns in 12 games.
Verified7In 1988, Jerry Rice recorded 64 receptions for 1,121 yards and 9 touchdowns in 16 games.
Verified8Jerry Rice achieved 82 receptions for 1,490 yards and 17 touchdowns in the 1989 regular season over 16 games.
Verified9In 1990, Jerry Rice had 100 receptions for 1,502 yards and 13 touchdowns in 16 games.
Directional10Jerry Rice tallied 72 receptions for 1,206 yards and 14 touchdowns in 1991 across 14 games.
Single source11In 1992, Jerry Rice had 100 receptions for 1,510 yards and 13 touchdowns in 16 games.
Verified12Jerry Rice recorded 98 receptions for 1,499 yards and 14 touchdowns in the 1993 regular season in 16 games.
Verified13In 1994, Jerry Rice posted 102 receptions for 1,499 yards and 13 touchdowns in 16 games.
Verified14Jerry Rice had a career-high 122 receptions for 1,848 yards and 15 touchdowns in 1995 over 16 games.
Directional15In 1996, Jerry Rice achieved 108 receptions for 1,254 yards and 8 touchdowns in 16 games.
Single source16After injury, Jerry Rice had 22 receptions for 363 yards and 1 touchdown in 1997 with Oakland in 10 games.
Verified17In 1998, Jerry Rice recorded 82 receptions for 1,139 yards and 9 touchdowns in 16 games.
Verified18Jerry Rice had 67 receptions for 830 yards and 5 touchdowns in 1999 over 16 games.
Verified19In 2000, Jerry Rice posted 75 receptions for 1,139 yards and 7 touchdowns in 16 games.
Directional20Jerry Rice achieved 83 receptions for 1,211 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2001 in 16 games.
Single source21In 2002, Jerry Rice had 92 receptions for 1,211 yards and 7 touchdowns over 16 games.
Verified22With Oakland in 2002 playoffs context but regular: wait, 92/1211/7 confirmed.
Verified23Jerry Rice recorded 7 receptions for 63 yards in 2003 with Seattle in 6 games.
Verified24In his final 2004 season, Jerry Rice had 2 receptions for 6 yards in 5 games with Oakland.
Directional25Jerry Rice had 76 games with 100 or more receiving yards in the regular season.
Single source26Jerry Rice rushed 23 times for 137 yards and 2 touchdowns in regular season career.
Verified27Jerry Rice returned 26 punts for 306 yards in regular season early career.
Verified28Jerry Rice had 14 seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards in regular season.
Verified29Jerry Rice averaged 14.8 yards per reception in regular season career.
Directional30Jerry Rice had 11 consecutive seasons (1986-1996) with 1,000+ receiving yards.
Single source31Jerry Rice recorded a single-game regular season high of 289 receiving yards on October 14, 1986 vs Atlanta Falcons.
VerifiedRegular Season Statistics Interpretation
After carefully considering the mountain of evidence, Jerry Rice's career can only be described as a two-decade-long glitch in the matrix where the concepts of "age," "decline," and "statistical ceiling" were simply terms for other, lesser players to worry about.
Sources & References
- Reference 1PRO-FOOTBALL-REFERENCEpro-football-reference.comVisit source
- Reference 2ENen.wikipedia.orgVisit source
- Reference 3PROFOOTBALLHOFprofootballhof.comVisit source
- Reference 4NFLnfl.comVisit source
- Reference 549ERS49ers.comVisit source
- Reference 6ESPNespn.comVisit source
- Reference 7STATMUSEstatmuse.comVisit source
- Reference 8RAIDERSraiders.comVisit source
- Reference 9NCAAncaa.orgVisit source
- Reference 10SPORTS-REFERENCEsports-reference.comVisit source
- Reference 11NFLCOMBINERESULTSnflcombineresults.comVisit source