Jerry Rice Jr. is best known as the son of NFL legend Jerry Rice, but he also carved out his own path in football before transitioning into a professional career outside the sport. From playing college football at UCLA and UNLV to brief opportunities in the NFL and CFL, Jerry Rice Jr. journey reflects both the promise and the challenges of following a famous legacy. This article covers who Jerry Rice Jr. is, his football career and statistics, the teams he was associated with, and what he does today.
Jerry Rice Jr. Quick Facts
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Full name: Jerry Lee Rice Jr.
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Date of birth: July 27, 1991
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Hometown: Atherton, California, USA
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Height / Weight: Approx. 5 ft 10 in / 185 lbs
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Position: Wide receiver
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College: UCLA Bruins, UNLV Rebels
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Pro affiliations: Washington Redskins, Montreal Alouettes (CFL)
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Current profession: Real estate agent
Who Is Jerry Rice Jr.?
Jerry Rice Jr. is a former American football wide receiver who pursued a collegiate and professional football career during the early 2010s. While his last name naturally attracted attention, Rice Jr. worked to establish himself on his own merits, competing at the NCAA Division I level and later earning opportunities with professional teams. Although he never appeared in a regular-season NFL game, his journey through college football, NFL tryouts, and the Canadian Football League illustrates the competitiveness of professional football and the narrow margins that separate long-term pros from short-term opportunities.
Early Life and Background
Growing Up in California
Born and raised in Atherton, California, Jerry Rice Jr. grew up surrounded by football. His father’s legendary career meant early exposure to elite training environments, discipline, and professional expectations. However, Rice Jr. has often been described as soft-spoken and focused, choosing to let his work ethic speak louder than his surname.
High School Football
Rice Jr. attended Menlo School in California, where he played high school football and began developing as a wide receiver. While not considered a five-star recruit, he earned attention from Division I programs through solid fundamentals, reliable hands, and route-running ability.
College Football Career
UCLA Bruins
Jerry Rice Jr. began his college career with the UCLA Bruins, competing in the highly competitive Pac-12 Conference. At UCLA, he faced stiff competition on the depth chart, which limited his on-field production. Still, practicing and competing at a Power Five program helped refine his technical skills and understanding of high-level offensive systems.
Transfer to UNLV
Seeking more playing time, Rice Jr. transferred to UNLV, where he joined the Rebels football program. The move gave him a greater opportunity to contribute during games and showcase his abilities.
College Statistics Overview
While Jerry Rice Jr. college statistics were modest compared to elite NCAA receivers, they reflect a player who contributed when given opportunities:
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UNLV highlights:
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Receptions: 11
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Receiving yards: 83
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Touchdowns: 1
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These numbers underscore a key reality of college football: even talented athletes can struggle to produce big statistics when competing at the highest level.
Professional Football Attempts
Washington Redskins (NFL)
In 2014, Jerry Rice Jr. signed with the Washington Redskins after the NFL Draft but was not selected by any team. The signing generated significant media attention due to his last name, but making an NFL roster is notoriously difficult, especially for undrafted players. Rice Jr. participated in offseason activities and training camps but was released before the regular season. He did not play in any NFL regular-season games.
Montreal Alouettes (CFL)
Rice Jr. Later, he looked for chances in the Canadian Football League and signed with the Montreal Alouettes. He spent time on the team’s practice roster, continuing to chase his professional football aspirations. Despite his efforts, his professional playing career ultimately came to an end, a fate shared by many athletes who reach the edge of the pro level.
Why Jerry Rice Jr. Football Career Was Short
Professional football is extraordinarily competitive. Each year, thousands of college players compete for a very limited number of roster spots. Even with strong fundamentals, elite genetics, and access to top training, longevity is never guaranteed. Jerry Rice Jr. career serves as a reminder that making it to the NFL, even briefly, is itself an achievement, and that many talented players transition to other successful careers after football.
What Is Jerry Rice Jr. Doing Now?
Career in Real Estate
After stepping away from football, Jerry Rice Jr. transitioned into the real estate industry. He works as a real estate agent with Compass, focusing on residential real estate in California. His shift into real estate highlights a common and successful post-athletic path: leveraging discipline, personal branding, and interpersonal skills developed through sports into business and sales.
Public Life and Personal Brand
Unlike many former athletes, Rice Jr. maintains a relatively low public profile. He is not heavily involved in media or broadcasting and instead focuses on his professional career and private life.
Relationship With Jerry Rice (His Father)
Being the son of Jerry Rice, the greatest wide receiver in NFL histor,y inevitably shaped public expectations. Comparisons were unavoidable, but Rice Jr. consistently approached football with humility and a realistic perspective. Rather than attempting to replicate his father’s unprecedented success, he pursued football on his own journey. Today, his story is often cited as an example of how athletic legacy does not guarantee outcomes, but can still provide valuable life lessons and opportunities.
Final Thoughts
Jerry Rice Jr. story is not one of superstardom, but of perseverance, realism, and reinvention. While his football career did not reach the heights many expected, he successfully transitioned into a new professional chapter, proving that life after sports can be just as meaningful as time spent on the field. For many fans, his journey offers a grounded, human perspective on athletic legacy and the realities of elite competition.
FAQs:
1. Is Jerry Rice Jr. the son of Jerry Rice?
Yes. Jerry Rice Jr. He is the son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice.
2. Did Jerry Rice Jr. play in an NFL regular-season game?
No. He signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent but did not appear in a regular-season NFL game.
3. What college did Jerry Rice Jr. attend?
He played college football at UCLA and later transferred to UNLV.
4. What professional teams was Jerry Rice Jr. associated with?
He was signed by the Washington Redskins (NFL) and later joined the Montreal Alouettes (CFL).
5. What does Jerry Rice Jr. do now?
He works in real estate as a real estate agent with Compass.