Jerry Rice to Play in Nationwide Tour Event

by Adam Fonseca on Mar 19, 2010 3:28 PM EDT

Always known as one of the most dominating and competitive players in the history of the NFL, all-of-Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice is now moving on to a different challenge - becoming a professional golfer.

According to Eric Pinkela of the Mercury News, a Bay area publication, Rice has already registered to play in the Nationwide's Fresh Express Classic at TPC Stonebrae in Hayward.

Rice has said that turning pro isn't a publicity stunt; he is trying to make an earnest career change. He said this week that he hopes to turn his sponsor's exemption into a respectable showing at Stonebrae. Rice wouldn't pin himself down on what that means exactly, but he said playing on the weekend would be a great start to his life as a tour pro.

"If I make the cut, man, I'm going to go home and dance," said Rice, who famously wowed audiences on "Dancing with the Stars." "Wow, that would be like a dream come true."

FanPosts are written by Waggle Room members. Viewpoints expressed do not necessarily reflect those of WaggleRoom.com, editor, Charles Boyer or any other writer or member.

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Jerry's gonna hear it.

“you were a product of the 49ers system”, “you were slow” , “montana made you”, “John Taylor didn’t get his due”, “overrated”………Just kidding. Jerry is a fantastic golfer, he’ll have fun, and the tournament, it’s sponsors, and it’s charities will benefit. He should be congratulated on a magnificent Football career. He squoze every ounce of talent, and production out of himself. A true sportsman.

"The game is swell when it's played well."

by Fairways and Grins on Mar 19, 2010 11:21 PM EDT reply actions

Squoze?

I did a double take on that one…

Back on topic…I think it’s great the Jerry Rice is playing and I agree that he will be great draw for the event.

I write about golf at www.tees2greens.com, too.

by red tees on Mar 22, 2010 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions

F&G...here's one

guy that a heck of a lot of others could/should emulate…STUB

by thinker on Mar 20, 2010 1:58 PM EDT reply actions

In what regard stub?

We know Jerry for greatness in sport, his work ethic, for being a champion, and for his dogged determination. Yet Jerry has been controversial, and that’s fine too. Jerry also is a divorcee, and that’s fine too. It amazes me that we admire a sportsman, then immediately announce them as class acts. The events of the last few months are just the latest example of "Our heroes are still human. I personally feel that it takes a certain selfishness to be great, or at the highest level in any endeavor in life. To be a concert pianist, of the highest ilk, requires unwavering devotion, Chess grandmaster, and the list goes on. Jerry is one of these characters. Read up on him, and you’ll see a guy obsessed with being the best at his craft. This requires some mis-balance in one’s life. To which there are some consequences. Often the ones we dub as Geniuses, are also some of the most disturbed people. I am good with admiring Jerry the athlete, without trying to proclaim them as anything else. Great career, don’t really know the man. God will be the judge of us all, and that’s okay with me.

"The game is swell when it's played well."

by Fairways and Grins on Mar 21, 2010 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions

In what regard?

I’m not a football fan , but I got interested in why were the 49ers such consistent winners…the answer was Bill Welsh…his approach to the game…it wasn’t like Lombardi, win at all costs, but rather the science..Along came Rice…He did have some personal issues, but as you say, the single mindedness of being a GREAT player sometimes does that…But if you go back and see the interviews that he gave, he generated respect as a MAN not a player..I don’t care about any professionals private life until their actions reflect on the sport…When your in the spotlight, that comes with the territory..be you an athlete or entertainer…that’s just the way it is…Roger Staubach and his wife were good friends of ours, and whenever we went to dinner, it was always interesting to see how he conducted himself…So what I look for first, is RESPECT FOR THE MAN…if that’s lacking, I don’t care what the accomplishments are on the field of battle..I just don’t care…STUB

by thinker on Mar 22, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions