Flash 80 Facts

Why did Jerry Rice play football in high school? He got caught skipping class by the school principal and ran away. It was suggested to him that he display his quickness onto the football field.
Like Michael Jordan, Jerry Rice was not the first pick in the draft. He was not even the first wide receiver picked. Eddie Brown and Al Toon were picked ahead of him because Jerry Rice "only" ran a 4.6 40 yard dash at the combine. Rice was the 16th pick in the 1985 NFL draft.
Rice was the very first pick in another draft...the USFL draft, by the Birmingham Stallions.
Rice majored in electronics at Mississippi Valley State.
Rice grew up a Dallas Cowboys fan.
Rice's wife, Jackie, attended the University of Southern Mississippi.
Rice arrived at 49ers camp as a rookie weighing in at 208 pounds. He has been known to dip to as low as 189 pounds in 1993. He now weighs 198.
In his first few seasons, Rice celebrated touchdowns with his Cabbage Patch Dance.
Rice's nicknames include: World, Flash 80, JR, and...Fifi.
Rice's favorite players growing up were Drew Pearson, Tony Hill, John Stallworth, Lynn Swann, Steve Largent.
Rice didn't wear #80 because of Largent. Tthere is no specific reason why Rice wore #80 other than the fact that it was an available number with the 49ers in 1985. He wore #88 in college.
In 1994, Rice gave back $170,000 worth of incentive clauses to help the 49ers fund their practice squad
Rice's trainer is Raymond Farris, who has worked with Rice since 1987. He notes that Rice was "not a good technical player" from 1985 to 1987 and that he had "a lag in his left leg." No one questions how easy Rice makes a catch look now.
Barry Bonds trained with Rice. Others who have worked out with Rice include: Barry Sanders, Ricky Watters, Mitch Richmond..
Rice has said that if there's one player he'd want to get an autograph from, it's Barry Sanders.
Those who have thrown touchdowns to Jerry Rice include: Joe Montana, Steve Young, Steve Bono, Elvis Grbac, Matt Kavanaugh, Jeff Kemp, Mike Moroski, Jeff Garcia, Terry Kirby, Harry Sydney, Rich Gannon.