5 best NBA, NFL and MLB players to ever come from an HBCU

2. Jerry Rice, Wide Receiver — NFL, San Francisco 49ers — Mississippi Valley State

Legend has it that Jerry Rice’s legendary ability to catch a football came from working summers with his father as a brick mason in Mississippi. Rice’s father would throw him bricks and tell the younger Rice that he had better not drop one because they did not have any extra.

Rice developed his mythical work ethic during those summers with his father. Many college and professional football players would covet working out with Rice during the offseason; few would ever make it through one, let alone a week of workouts with Rice.

Former 49er quarterback Steve Young, commenting on Rice’s work ethic, once said he went through drills and training camp like a fringe player trying to make the roster. That work ethic, along with a plethora of physical gifts, made Rice the most best wide receiver (and arguably the greatest football player) in NFL history.

Rice would attend Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bina, Mississippi. Coached by one of the progenitors of the modern spread offense Archie Cooley, he and quarterback Willie Totten would form the “Satellite Express” and set many MVSU, NCAA 1-AA, and NCAA records for passing receiving and offense.

After a record-shattering career at Valley, the San Francisco 49ers traded up for Rice so the Dallas Cowboys would not draft him. Rice has too many NFL records to list, including receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and total touchdowns.