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man, you wont see that happening in pittsburgh with the #88.



Rice says it's OK for Bruce to wear No. 80

Jerry Rice has given the go-ahead for Isaac Bruce to wear his No. 80 with the 49ers. The club has not issued No. 80 since Rice's final season with 49ers in 2000, though it's not officially retired.

Rice, speaking on his SIRIUS NFL Radio show, "Late Hits," cited Steve Largent's willingness to allow Rice to wear No. 80 when he joined the Seahawks during the 2004 season. Rice played 11 games for the Seahawks.

"I have always respected Isaac Bruce," Rice said. "I don't know what is going to happen in that scenario but if it was left up to me I would say, 'Yeah.' For Steve Largent to do what he did for me he showed me a side of him where I just feel like I have to do the same thing. He set the standard. It would be left up to Isaac and myself to sit down and talk or if the 49ers decide to do something like that it is OK with me."

Bruce has not commented publicly on the subject.Bruce signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the 49ers last week. On a conference call to announce his signing, Bruce said he had not thought about what number he would wear. He said he answer that question in a couple weeks.

Bruce wore No. 80 with the Rams for 14 seasons after entering the league as a second-round draft pick out of Memphis. Bruce took the number, in part, because of his respect for Rice.

Bruce is third all-time in the NFL with 14,109 receiving yards. He ranks behind Rice (22,895) and Tim Brown (14,934).

http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default. ... 2232&49ers

LAKESHOW wrote:man, you wont see that happening in pittsburgh with the #88.

Really? Since Lynn Swann wasn't half the player Jerry Rice or Steve Largent was (or for that matter Isaac Bruce was), that surprises me.

well if its alright with rice

Very nice of him. I wonder if Jerry is getting a nice watch or TV in return...

it was announced that the 49ers are not going to give Bruce #80

Thats cool he is for it, but its smart for the organization not to allow that. In fact I was shocked to read that they haven't even retired it yet. That franchise really is operating backwards.

TheMadMongoose wrote:Thats cool he is for it, but its smart for the organization not to allow that. In fact I was shocked to read that they haven't even retired it yet. That franchise really is operating backwards.

The NFL really frowns upon the actual retiring of jerseys. The Packers have, I believe 5 (Bart Starr, Don Hutson, Tony Canadeo, Ray Nitschke, and Reggie White). Soon to be 6.

There are numbers that while not officially retired are not given out. I remember back in the mid-late 80's when they gave Don Majkowski #5 (Paul Horning). It was changed quickly but the number was never retired.

LAKESHOW wrote:man, you wont see that happening in pittsburgh with the #88.

It did happen with pittsburgh. Andre Hastings wore #88 with the Steelers. Someone else possibly. I heard that none of their numbers have retired. Not even 12 or 32. Somebody thinks that Bruce should wear 81 to get that bad taste out the mouths because of Owens.