Within the grand scheme of issues, you do not have to look too far again within the historical past of the NFL to discover a time the place former San Francisco 49ers broad receiver Jerry Rice was thought-about to be the best participant to ever step on a soccer subject. Again in 2010, the NFL Community ranked all the league’s gamers on an all-time checklist and had Rice touchdown on the No. 1 spot. Whereas Rice actually nonetheless is the best receiver the league has ever seen, instances have modified within the GOAT debate during the last decade. 

Since that rating was launched, Tom Brady (who was listed at No. 21 again in 2010) has solely added to what was already a Corridor of Fame résumé. Over the past decade, the now 43-year-old quarterback has added 4 extra Tremendous Bowl titles to his title, giving him a complete of seven. These Tremendous Bowls not solely eclipse what any participant has been in a position to do over their profession, however no franchise has ever received that many. This win over the Chiefs in Tremendous Bowl LV additional put an exclamation level on Brady’s GOAT standing. Successful all of it in his first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — and away from Invoice Belichick and the New England Patriots — confirmed he is nonetheless greater than succesful away from the all-time head coach and his former franchise. 

Not solely does Brady have the championships to stop some other GOAT debates at this level, however he is additionally the winningest quarterback in league historical past, with 230 profession wins to his title (and counting). He is additionally thrown probably the most touchdowns all time and can probably cross Drew Brees subsequent season for probably the most passing yards thrown all time. 

With all that in Brady’s favor, the as soon as clear-cut case for Jerry Rice seems to have dissolved, which the 49ers legend just lately acknowledged. That stated, Rice, who spoke to 95.7 The Sport on Monday, does maintain agency that he performed in a way more bodily period than Brady. 

“I haven’t got seven Tremendous Bowl rings, however I believe I performed in an period when soccer was extra of a contact sport. You are seeing numerous that now — gamers are protected,” Rice stated, by way of Professional Soccer Speak. “When you’ve gotten seven rings, you are doing one thing proper. I believe with Brady, he nonetheless needs to play. He stated one thing about taking part in till he is 45. I believe he can do it now on this league as a result of gamers are a lot extra protected. So, yeah, he can have that GOAT standing. I by no means needed that standing anyhow.”

Once more, this isn’t to remove from what Rice has performed, however Brady has received at such a clip — even previous to this newest Lombardi — that it appears foolish to place anybody above him anymore. 

In the meantime, Rice additionally noticed Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski break the tie he and Joe Montana had with them for probably the most playoff touchdowns (12) by a QB-receiver duo after the Bucs combo related on not one however two touchdowns en path to a 31-9 win in Tremendous Bowl LV.