Jerry Rice, the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, wore this red San Francisco 49ers jersey during the 1994 NFL season. 1994 was Rice’s 10th season in the NFL, and the venerable pass catcher eviscerated defensive backs en route to one of the best seasons of his career. With Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young slinging passes to Rice, the 49ers finished the regular season with a 13-3 record and the NFC West Division title. In their first game of the playoffs, a Divisional Round matchup against the Chicago Bears, the Niners scored 37 straight points to humiliate the Dave Wannstedt coached Bears in a 44-15 victory. Their chief rival, the Dallas Cowboys, awaited the 49ers in the Conference Championship round. The Cowboys had won the Super Bowl in 1993, and their offense of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin was firing on all cylinders. Rice and the Niners would not be denied, putting up 21 points in a first quarter blitz. George Seifert’s men stomped the Cowboys 38-28, with Rice scoring the game clinching touchdown on a 28 yard touchdown pass from Young late in the second quarter. The only obstacle that remained between the 49ers and the Lombardi Trophy were the San Diego Chargers, the upstart AFC champions.

     Young and Rice combined for a historic Super Bowl, with Rice grabbing 10 catches for 149 yards and three of Young’s six touchdowns. The Chargers were swept aside, 49-26, and Rice lifted the Lombardi Trophy for the third and final time in his historic career. Rice would retire after the 2004 season, ending his career as the holder of over 100 NFL records. He totaled 22,895 receiving yards and 197 total touchdowns, both still NFL records. Rice was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010, on his first ballot.

     Included in this collection are a jersey, pants, socks, and cleats worn during the 1994 season by Rice. The jersey is red, with Rice’s number “80” sewn on the front and back in white tackle twill with black drop shadow. “RICE” is sewn across the back shoulders in white tackle twill over a red nameplate. White Wilson logos are sewn on each sleeve. An NFL 75th Anniversary patch is sewn on the left breast of this jersey. This jersey was modeled after the 49ers 1955 jersey as a part of the NFL’s 75th Anniversary celebrations. This jersey shows excellent evidence of use. Rice signed the “8” on the back of the jersey in black marker.

     Rice’s pants are white, with a red and black stripe running down each leg. A red Wilson logo is sewn on the right leg. A Wilson size “32” tag is sewn on the inside of the waistband. “32” and “80” have been written in black marker on the waistband. These pants, which have a lace up crotch, show good evidence of use. Rice signed the right leg in black marker, adding his number “80” to his signature.

     The cleats are white size 11.5 Nike spikes. The top and sides are made of mesh, while the body of the cleat is white synthetic material. A red Nike swoosh graces the sides of each cleat. “NIKE” is printed in black on the heel and tongue of each shoe. The sole is black, with plastic spikes and “NIKE” printed in white letters. These shoes show excellent signs of game use. Rice signed the right toe area of each cleat in black marker, adding his number “80” to his signature. The socks are white and red NFL Pro Line Backfield Game Socks that fit an athlete 6’0” to 6’2”. The calf area of the socks features a red and white striped pattern. This article of footwear exhibits good evidence of use. Rice signed near the top of each sock in black marker, adding his number “80” to his signature. This entire lot is accompanied by a LOA, signed by Rice, from the San Francisco 49ers and individual COAs and 2 LOAs from Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication for the signatures (C11976, C11977, C11978 & C11979) and has been photo matched by Resolution Photomatching to the January 7th playoff game.

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