Why they rank here
Rice is the most statistically dominant non-quarterback the sport has produced, and by consensus the greatest wide receiver ever. Over twenty seasons he set career records that still stand and may never fall: 1,549 receptions, 22,895 receiving yards, and 197 receiving touchdowns, plus 208 total touchdowns. His receiving-yardage total is more than 6,000 clear of second place. Rice paired freakish work-rate, his offseason hill runs became legend, with precise route-running and reliable hands rather than pure speed. He won three Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers and was named MVP of Super Bowl XXIII. Playing deep into his forties, he made thirteen Pro Bowls and remained productive long after most peers retired, a testament to conditioning and craft that let a supposedly ordinary athlete become an all-time force.
Career profile
Each bar shows how this athlete compares with the strongest in our all-time list for that metric.