Jerry Rice has heard the loud roar recently in regards to Calvin Johnson, and his place in history.
Rice is aware of the argument that some in this new age of media, fill Calvin Johnson is now the greatest wide receiver to play the game.
Johnson of course is coming off a season in which he shattered Rice’s record for yards in a season with 1,964 yards — 116 more than Rice had in 1995 with the San Francisco 49ers.
Rice, still as humble as he was when he entered the league, told Tom Pelissero of USA Today that Megatron “has some work to do if he wants to be considered the greatest of all time.”
Jerry Rice on Calvin Johnson: "I'm not going to say I'm the greatest … But it's safe he has a lot of work to do." http://t.co/aRRTQhmqgL
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 12, 2013
“I think it’s great that they’re still talking about me after my career’s over. (Johnson) still has a ways to go,” Rice, a Hall of Famer, told USA TODAY Sports by phone Tuesday.
“We’re just going to let this guy continue to develop, and if he should break the majority of my records or break all my records, I’ll be the first one to congratulate him. But I know the sacrifice that you have to put into it. It takes a lot of dedication, a lot of hard work.”
The 51 year old Rice is the league’s career leader in catches (1,549), receiving yards (22,895) and receiving touchdowns (197).
“I think (Johnson) has gotten so much better route running, and he doesn’t just rely on his jumping ability anymore,” Rice said. “That’s why he’s called Megatron, man. He’s a hell of a lot (to handle) on that football field. Right now he’s had about (63) touchdowns and he’s going strong. I wish him the best. I know what type of work ethic he has. He’s a complete player.”