NEW ORLEANS — Hall of Famer Jerry Rice has no interest in a back-and-forth debate with Randy Moss during Super Bowl week about who’s the greatest NFL wide receiver of all time.
“This is not about Randy and Jerry,” Rice said Thursday. “It’s OK. I don’t need to talk about being the best receiver. I don’t need to do that. I don’t need to pat myself on the back.”
Rice has a strong opinion on the matter, yet insists he won’t come out and say he is the best ever. The former San Francisco 49ers star turned broadcaster will offer one thought to Moss: check the stats.
“I know he says you can’t bring the stats into the scenario, but I think that’s part of being the best receiver to play the game,” Rice said Thursday. “I’m just having fun with it right now. I think the thing is, I never took any plays off and I always gave 100 percent. Also, you put my numbers up against Randy’s and my body of work compared to his, and there’s a big difference.”
During media day Tuesday at the Superdome, Moss declared himself “the greatest receiver ever to play this game.” The 35-year-old Moss, who returned to the league this season after a year off, had 28 catches for 434 yards and three touchdowns this season for San Francisco. In 2007, he broke Rice’s single-season record for touchdown catches with 23. Rice had 22 in 1987. Rice had 14 1,000-yard seasons. Moss is second with 10.
Rice, who played the first 16 of his 21 NFL seasons with San Francisco from 1985-2000, holds nearly every significant receiving mark. That includes most career receptions (1,549); yards receiving (22,895); total touchdowns (208); and combined net yards (23,546) in his career with the 49ers, Oakland and Seattle.
Rice gives Moss the nod for pure talent and athletic ability, but that’s not all it takes.
“I was not the most talented, but I was going to outwork you. He probably could have been the greatest player ever to play the game. He’s 6-5, could run a 4.3 (seconds in the 40-yard dash). Could outjump you. Struck fear in the heart of the defense. But you have to have it here, in your heart.”
Rice said he wasn’t questioning Moss’ heart, just emphasizing his own and the passion for the game.
“This is how I impacted the game,” Rice said, holding up the sparkly 1988-89 championship ring on his right middle finger, “with Super Bowl rings. I’m hoping he can go out there and win his first one and be a big factor.”
PHONY ITEMS SEIZED
Investigators have confiscated more than $13.6 million worth of phony sports merchandise during the past five months and expect to seize more in New Orleans during Super Bowl week, a federal law-enforcement official said.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director John Morton said authorities also have shut down more than 300 websites selling counterfeit goods as part of an enforcement effort dubbed “Operation Red Zone.” The operation targeted international shipments of jerseys, hats and other souvenirs entering the U.S. for sale by stores, flea markets and street vendors.
More than 160,000 counterfeit items were seized and a total of 23 people have been arrested on related charges since September 2012.
NEUROLOGISTS NEXT?
NFL general counsel Jeff Pash says he expects independent neurological consultants to be on sidelines during games next season to help diagnose and treat concussions.
Speaking at a pre-Super Bowl news conference, Pash explained that the doctors would not be paid by the clubs or hired as team physicians. There could be more than one neurologist assigned to each team to divide home and road games.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.