No. 80 returning to San Fran?

By Mike Young | Tuesday, March 11, 2008 | ( 0 )

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No. 80 might be coming back to San Francisco!?

The guy who is sixth on the all-time list with 942 catches and third in receiving yards with 14,109 will play a few more games in the Bay Area after catching passes in front of 49er crowds for the past 14 years.

Any real fan knows the previous stats aren’t those of Jerry Rice, the greatest receiver of all-time, who is first in catches (1,549), receiving yards (22,895) and receiving touchdowns (197).

Those first numbers belong to Isaac Bruce, who has been in San Fran at least once a year since becoming a member of the Los Angeles Rams way back in 1994. In 2008 he suits up for the Red and Gold and is one of few still playing who witnessed first-hand the power of the 1990s 49ers and the debacle that has been the team most of this decade.

Now in the twilight of his career, Bruce is closest thing to Jerry Rice still around. Never considered the fastest or strongest receiver, Bruce has been a model of consistency and class, putting up eight 1,000-yard seasons, averaging 67 catches per year and racking up 1,925 yards against the 49ers.

Bruce’s class showed when he took a back seat on what was always his team during the “Greatest Show on Turf.” When Torry Holt and Marshal Faulk stole the show, Bruce was happy to be a solid contributor to a championship squad (he did have 12 touchdowns) and a key cog in one of the greatest offenses ever.

His signing in the Bay hasn’t been big news but he could make waves if he decides to wear the only number he’s ever known, the hallowed No. 80.

Jerry Rice talked about the issue on his radio show, and in typical Rice fashion, displayed grace in the face of controversy.

“I have always respected Isaac Bruce,” Rice said about the longtime Ram wearing his number. “It would be left up to Isaac and myself to sit down and talk or if the 49ers decide to do something like that, it is ok with me.”

Do not expect Bruce to follow in Rice’s pattern of donning the number of a former great. Rice made a mistake in Seattle by putting on Steve Largent’s No. 80 and got a pass from the media and fans even though he played as a shell of his former self.

Bruce has much more left in the tank and doesn’t want the pressure of living up to Rice’s legacy. He’ll have enough problems trying to make an impact catching balls from Alex Smith or Shaun Hill.

But if he does decide to keep his career number, there isn’t anyone who embodies the spirit with which Rice played more than Bruce and, with Rice’s blessing, should be given that of the fans.

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