NFL Hall of Famer and 49ers legend Jerry Rice took the stage at a sold-out Sonoma Speaker Series event Monday night, telling a packed house that his record-breaking career was built more on “outworking the competition” than raw natural talent.
Interviewed by veteran sportscaster Greg Papa, Rice reflected on his journey from catching bricks for his father in Mississippi to holding 36 NFL records, emphasizing that his obsession with winning and a relentless 20-year fitness routine were his true keys to the Hall of Fame.
The Sonoma Index-Tribune reports the “G.O.A.T.” also shared lighter moments about his famous stint on Dancing with the Stars and his pre-game superstitions, admitting he would often work out hours before kickoff just to hit his exact target playing weight of 190 pounds.
Now 63, Rice remains as disciplined as ever, telling the crowd that the same work ethic he used to master the 49ers’ playbook continues to drive his life and business ventures today.
