JERRY RICE ENSHRINED
IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
Roderick Mosley
August 12,
2006
Itta
Bena, Miss. --- Former Mississippi
Valley State and NFL standout receiver Jerry
Rice was enshrined into 2006 Class of the
College Football Hall of Fame this evening
in ceremonies in South Bend, IN.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest wide
receivers in football history on any level,
Rice joined teammate Willie Totten as both
ends of the famed Delta Devils "Satellite
Express" are now members of the College
Football Hall of Fame. A two-time First
Team All-America selection, Rice finished
ninth in the 1984 Heisman Trophy voting as
he set numerous Division I-AA records
including single-season receptions (103) and
receiving yards (1,450). A three-time First
Team All-Conference pick, Rice was named the
1984 SWAC Player of the Year and Offensive
Player of the Year for the State of
Mississippi. A member of the Super South
11, he shattered school records with 310
career receptions, 4,856 receiving yards and
51 touchdowns and caught an NCAA record 24
passes against Southern in 1983.
Drafted in the first round of the 1985 NFL
Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, Rice
became arguably the greatest player in NFL
history. In 20 seasons, he was named to the
Pro Bowl 13 times, won three Super Bowls and
broke virtually every receiving record. His
NFL totals exceed 1,500 receptions, 22,000
receiving yards and 200 touchdowns.
In the community, Rice volunteers with the
March of the Dimes, Packard Children's
Hospital, Nike PLAY program, Team Up for
Healthy Kids, United Way and The Jerry Rice
"127" Foundation.
Others joining Rice included Kevin Dent (DB,
Jackson State, 1985-88), John Friesz (QB,
Idaho, 1986-89) and Ronnie Mallet (End,
Central Arkansas, 1978-81). Coaches that
were part of the class include Dick Farley
(Williams (Mass.), 1983-2003), John Galiardi
(Carol College (Mont.) 1949-52, Saint John’s
(Minn.) 1952-present) and Vernon “Skip”
McCain (Maryland State, 1948-63).
The enshrinement dinner and show served as a
finale for a three day festival that
included a celebrity golf scramble,
Enshrinement Festival Parade through
downtown South Bend this morning followed by
a day-long FanFest which included a youth
football clinic, celebrity flag football
game and more.
(Photo courtesy of MVSU)
-MVSU-