Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice has become an unofficial source for all things Antonio Brown. The disgruntled All-Pro receiver wants out of Pittsburgh and would love to play for the San Francisco 49ers. That much you already know.
Rice has been a strong proponent of a Brown-to-49ers scenario. He has spoken to Brown on numerous occasions and stated that the Steelers receiver would love to play for the 49ers. You know that too.
Brown has taken to social media to express his desire to play for head coach Kyle Shanahan. He started following 49ers players while seemingly shunning the Steelers on Twitter and Instagram.
But you know that. You know all of that because Antonio Brown speculation and hearsay has been shoved in front of you for over a month.
Well, here is a little more courtesy of the Hall of Fame receiver.
Rice spoke with Stephen A. Smith of ESPN this week and was asked about his support of a Brown-to-49ers scenario rather than the receiver making an effort to work things out with the Steelers.
"I did not contact AB," Rice said. "He contacted me. The fans from Pittsburgh, why are you mad at me? Why are you mad at me? He contacted me, and he said, 'Hey, Jerry, look, I would love to work out with you.'
"Then the conversation changed a little bit. He said, 'Yeah, maybe San Francisco.' I said, 'San Francisco? If we could bring you to San Francisco, with the players that we have in place right now, God, this is going to send a message to the fans that we're not waiting and trying to win two or three years down the road. We're trying to win right now.'"
Rice admits that he wants to see Brown end up with the 49ers but knows the decision ultimately lies with Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.
"That's up to those guys, but I'm just delivering the message," Rice added. "Do you see what I'm saying? We would love to have him in San Francisco."
