The Baltimore Ravens are hoping they have found the next Jerry Rice.
Correction: They have found the next Jerry Rice; what they're hoping for is even a semblance of the original Jerry Rice.
Pro Bowl changes, including draft for Team Jerry Rice and Team Deion Sanders, to boost fan interest?
NFL.com reported Tuesday that the Ravens have invited Jerry Rice Jr., son of the Hall of Famer, to try out at the team's rookie minicamp that starts Friday. Rice Jr. recorded 11 receptions of 86 yards last season at UNLV and caught his first career touchdown pass in the Heart of Dallas Bowl against North Texas.
Rice originally walked on to UCLA and played in nine games during a two-year span for the Bruins from 2011-12. He had nine catches for 69 yards during his UCLA career.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Rice Jr. ran a 4.68-second 40-yard dash, NFLDraftScout.com reported. He also had a less-than overwhelming nine repetitions with a 225-pound bench press.
Jerry Rice, the original, recorded 1,549 catches for 22,895 yards and 208 touchdowns - all NFL records that still exist today. He played 20 seasons, earning 13 Pro Bowl appearances and three Super Bowl rings with the San Francisco 49ers.
Rice's best year came in 1995 with the 49ers, in which Rice had 122 receptions for 1,848 yards and 15 touchdowns. Rice's most remarkable season, however, might've been in 2002 when, at age 40, Rice had 92 receptions for 1,211 yards and seven TDs.
According to NFL.com, Rice Jr. is following the path of quarterback Nate Montana, who tried out with the 49ers in the spring of 2013. The name, more than anything, allowed the player the opportunity to land on an NFL roster.
Rice Jr. is considered a longshot to make the team.
Do you think Jerry Rice Jr., will survive the rookie minicamp over the weekend? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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