San Francisco 49ers Legend Believes He Can Still Play
San Francisco 49ers legend, Jerry Rice, still wants to play. These days, it seem that more retired players think they still have what it takes. To play in the NFL. Despite the fact that some of them have been away from the game for a long time. When they were in their final years. They were a shell of their former selves.
Do the San Francisco 49ers need Jerry Rice? A few weeks ago, former San Fran cisco 49ers wide receiver, Terrell Owens, released a video of himself running a 4.3 40 yard dash. This is impressive considering he is in his 40s. Unfortunately for Owens, even if he could still contribute, no NFL team will sign him because of the baggage he brings with him, especially after announcing that he does not intend to attend this year’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Well, maybe the Cincinnati Bengals would take a shot on him.
If you though Owens was bad enough, Jerry Rice, who is considered by most to be the greatest receiver in NFL history, made headlines this week when he proclaimed he could still burn NFL defenses at age 55.
Rice, who was featured in this year’s ESPN’s Body Issue, said he has been keeping in shape since he retired and knows he can still play if he wanted to.
Jerry Rice Makes a Comeback?
Rice said he knew he can still play after practicing with the 49ers last season. What do you think?
“The young guys could not believe that after playing a game for 20 years, and being out of the game for 15 years or something, my body knew what to do — that I could run routes, that I could catch the ball, that I can beat them off the line of scrimmage and do all those things.” Rice said. “I think that really impressed them. But because I never got out of shape, my body just knew what to do the second I put on those football shoes.”
Rice doesn’t only think he can play, he believes he can still catch at least 80 passes a year.
“I still feel like today, if I wanted to come back to football and play football, I could do it, at the age of 55. I’m one of those guys that I still believe that if I wanted to, I could come back, catch over 80 balls and really be productive on the field. … I think I’m still explosive, and I think I still can beat up on some defenses.”