Jerry Rice was pretty good too and is already in the Hall of Fame. He is considered to be the greatest receiver ever to play the game. Is he, not Brady, the greatest player in NFL history, though? Shannon Sharpe made the case this week to his Undisputed co-host, Skip Bayless, who scoffs at the idea. It was in response to this article from NBC Sports Boston, where Tom E. Curran makes a case for Rice over Brady, which is probably seen as blasphemous in the Northeast.
Sharpe isn't necessarily dismissing Brady as the GOAT. He is just stating that, to him, an argument can be made in favor of Rice and Lawrence Taylor.
"Jerry was a guy, not only could he get deep," Sharpe explained, "but Jerry was one of the first guys that could take a five-yard route and turn it into an 80-yard spectacular. In the true West Coast (Offense), it's about getting the ball in the guys' hands, and running after the catch.
"You look at the guys that played. I'm talking about the really good receivers that played in the West Coast — Jerry, my brother (Sterling Sharpe), [Terrell Owens] — all of them could do what? Run after the catch. They ran angry.
"For me, Skip, I don't think anybody's going to touch his record(s). I don't see anybody getting 22,000 yards. That 197 receiving touchdowns, Skip, that ain't happening. It's over; forget it. I mean, let that sink in.
"Larry Fitzgerald is like 70 touchdowns (away). He's never going to get it. He's like 8,000 yards away. He's never going to get it. So for me, Tom Curran is right. I could make the argument for either one (Brady or Rice), but if he says Jerry, I don't fight it. If he said Lawrence Taylor, I wouldn't have fought it. I just will fight you if you say you know who (Brady)."
The argument, of course, wasn't enough to convince Bayless, who points to Brady's MVP awards and six Super Bowl wins as enough to cement him as the greatest ever. In response to Sharpe, he adds that a case could be made for Taylor but not Rice.
You can watch the entire exchange below.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
NFL insider says 49ers QB Brock Purdy's shoulder stinger "not expected to keep him out next week"
The San Francisco 49ers looked bad in their bid for the number-one seed in the NFC Saturday night, falling 13-3 to the Seattle Seahawks. But things almost got much worse when QB Brock Purdy went down late in the game. It looked bad, and there was immediate concern about whether... -
Loss of George Kittle latest heartbreaker in 49ers' injury-plagued season
Just how much must San Francisco 49ers fans endure this season? The sight of All-Pro tight end George Kittle making a catch, going down near the sideline, and immediately grabbing his leg was the latest gut punch for the 49ers in what has been a brutal, injury-plagued 2025... -
San Francisco 49ers opponents for 2026 season announced
The 2026 opponents for the San Francisco 49ers have been announced. The 49ers finished third in the NFC West and will play a third-place schedule next season. The 49ers will have nine home games and will go on the road eight times. Here are the 2026 opponents: Home Las Vegas... -
These 7 49ers players are inactive vs. Eagles
The San Francisco 49ers have released the list of inactive players for their Wild Card playoff matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. These seven players will not suit up for the game. Inactives: LB Luke Gifford (quadricep) DL Kevin Givens RB Isaac Guerendo CB Chase...