Jerry Rice, Meet Number 80

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The San Francisco 49ers recently signed free agent Isaac Bruce who had been released by the Rams. This created a problem of sorts for the team.

Isaac Bruce has always worn number 80 just like Jerry Rice – a retired number in San Francisco.

But Rice has given Bruce permission to wear the jersey number.

"“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.”"

But it sure will be strange to see anybody besides Rice wear the number.

(Santa Rosa Press Democrat)

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