SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The wait is finally over. With the football world descending on the Bay Area for Super Bowl LX, San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York dropped the news every member of the Faithful has been waiting to hear: Jerry Rice is getting his statue.
Speaking on the ‘Up & Adams Show’ amidst the media frenzy of Radio Row, York didn’t just hint at the honor—he guaranteed it. When host Kay Adams pressed him on recognizing the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, York’s response was immediate and definitive.
“The Original GOAT”
York didn’t mince words. Addressing Rice directly through the camera, the 49ers owner put an end to years of speculation.
“He is the original GOAT. Let’s commission it! JR, wherever you want it, we got you, bud,” York declared.
The timing couldn’t be more electric. Levi’s Stadium is currently the epicenter of the sports universe as it hosts Super Bowl 60. While the statue won’t be ready for Sunday’s kickoff, the commitment cements Rice’s physical legacy alongside his former quarterback, Joe Montana, and the late Dwight Clark, whose statues already guard the venue.
Rice, now 63, remains the standard by which all other offensive players are measured. He hauled in 1,549 receptions for 22,895 yards and 208 total touchdowns—records that haven’t just stood the test of time; they’ve laughed in its face. Even in the high-octane passing era of 2026, no one is close.
“I would love that, to be honest with you. I think we have had talks about that. If they want to show me love like that, I would gladly welcome that… [I’d] break down and cry.” — Jerry Rice, Pro Football Hall of Famer (Class of 2010)
The Legacy Play
This move corrects a glaring omission at Levi’s Stadium. While “The Catch” is immortalized in bronze, Rice—the engine of three Super Bowl titles (XXIII, XXIV, XXIX)—had yet to receive similar treatment. York’s declaration changes the conversation from “if” to “when.”
Expect the unveiling to be the marquee event of the 2026 regular-season opener. For a franchise that prides itself on history, placing Rice permanently outside the gates isn’t just a gesture; it’s a requirement.
