Jerry Rice is renowned as the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, having played in the league for 20 seasons. The San Francisco 49ers legend was unstoppable in his heyday, and helped the franchise bring home three Super Bowl victories.
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Considering his longevity and success in the league, you'd be spot on to assume the wideout made a vast fortune from his playing days. But just how much money did Rice make?
Early Years and College Career
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Jerry Lee Rice was born to Joe Nathan Rice and Eddie Rice in Starkville, Mississippi and grew up in Crawford. He didn't start playing football until high school at B.L. Moor High School, but still managed to showcase his talent enough to earn a spot on the Mississippi Valley State University football team, a Division I-AA program.
Rice was highly successful as a college wide receiver, earning All-American honors while hauling in more than 4,000 yards and setting various records at the Division I-AA level.
Despite the program not being a Division I school, Rice had done enough to establish himself as a talent capable of playing in the National Football League.
NFL Career
25 years ago today, Jerry Rice becomes the first in #NFL history with 1,000 career receptions. #TodayInSports #NFLTwitter pic.twitter.com/tl54QP8mSV
— TodayInSports (@TodayInSportsCo) November 3, 2021
Jerry Rice was drafted in the first round (16th overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft by the 49ers. Not only would he go on to become one of the greatest players in franchise history, but also NFL history as well.
Despite just starting four games in his rookie season, Rice racked up over 900 receiving yards.
Across his esteemed career in the pros, during which he played for the Niners, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos, Rice made 13 Pro Bowls, 12 of which came in the NFC, and earned 10 First Team All-Pro selections.
When he retired after the 2004 season at age 42, he was the all-time leader in touchdown receptions (197), receiving yards (22,895) and receptions (1,549). He won three Super Bowls with the 49ers, alongside legendary quarterbacks Joe Montana and Steve Young.
He caught a key touchdown reception in Super Bowl XXIII against the Bengals to help the 49ers secure the victory. Rice was named AP Offensive Player of the Year in 1987 and 1993, two of his best seasons in the league.
Rice was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010, as well as the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
Personal Life
Jerry Rice married his first wife, Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell, in 1987. The couple had three children together, Jerry Rice Jr., Jaqui Bonet Rice and Jada Symone Rice. His son, Jerry Jr., is also a football player, having attended Moor High School in Mississippi and subsequently played college football at UCLA for two years, as well as one year at UNLV.
Rice and Mitchell divorced in 2007 after 20 years of marriage.
Rice also has another son, Brenden Rice, who plays college football at Colorado.
After his split with Mitchell, Rice began dating and eventually married Latisha Pelayo in 2019.
Jerry Rice Net Worth
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jerry Rice boasts an estimated net worth of $50 million.
Per Spotrac, Rice earned over $42 million in career earnings as an NFL player. In addition to his career as a professional football player, Rice's net worth is also bolstered by his appearance on the hit show "Dancing With the Stars," as well as endorsement deals with companies such as Visa and Gatorade.
Rice and Pelayo currently reside together in a beautiful mansion in Atherton, California. In 2013, he sold his mansion in the Bay Area for $9 million.
This post was originally published on January 15, 2021.
