Sports Quote of the Day: Jerry Rice's Strategy to Get Ahead

The NFL has had plenty of superstar receivers, but none with a better resume than Jerry Rice. The Mississippi native has the league record for career receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22,895), receiving touchdowns (197), and all-purpose yards (23,456).

Rice was drafted in the first round by the San Francisco 49ers in 1985 and played with Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana until 1990. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder led the NFL in receiving yards three times during that span, and the 49ers won the Super Bowl during the 1988 and 1989 seasons. Rice was the Super Bowl MVP in the first one after tallying 11 catches for 215 yards and a touchdown in the 20-16 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Fellow Hall of Fame signal-caller Steve Young took over in 1991, and Rice led the NFL in receiving yards from 1993 to 1995. San Francisco won the Super Bowl again in the 1994 campaign, beating the San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers 49-26.

Jerry Rice Refused to Be Outworked

Although Rice was speedy and had reliable hands, he's not one of the more physically imposing athletes in NFL history. However, the 11-time All-Pro made up for that with an unmatched work ethic.

For example, Rice spent the majority of the offseason following his rookie year studying the 49ers' playbook, and head coach Bill Walsh said "I haven't worked with anyone who has the great capacity or capability of Jerry Rice," per the New York Times' Roy S. Johnson.

Not every player takes that initiative, but Rice went the extra mile to reach the top. That attitude inspired one of the Hall of Famer's most famous quotes.

"Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I can do what others can't."

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This story was originally published April 26, 2026 at 8:58 AM.