Three-time Super Bowl winner Jerry Rice joined Eric Goodman and Les Shapiro on Afternoon Drive on Mile High Sports AM 1340 to lend some advice to the Denver Broncos in advance of their Super Bowl 50 matchup with the Carolina Panthers.
Though he has three Super Bowl rings, Rice was careful not to downplay the stresses involved in playing in the big game.
“It’s not just another game,” Rice said. “I was nervous every time.”
Rice said that it will be important for the Broncos to get their receivers involved early in the game. With the recent trash-talk between Emmanuel Sanders and Panthers cornerback Josh Norman, Rice offered some advice to the Broncos receivers.
“When you’ve got a defensive back that likes to talk, you beat him on the field, and if he continues to talk you score a touchdown, then you have him exactly where you want him,” Rice said.
Rice appeared in four Super Bowls, 13 Pro Bowls and holds numerous records considered to be unbreakable, but he ended his legendary career rather than spend his final season at the bottom of the Broncos’ depth chart after signing a one-year deal with Denver in 2005. He said he understands how Peyton Manning feels and the struggles of being an older athlete in the NFL.
“I know exactly what he’s going through,” Rice said. “Your mind might be saying, ‘I’ve still got the knowledge,’ but your body just doesn’t react like it used to.”
By the time Rice officially retired in 2006, he was 43 years old and had spent 20 seasons in the NFL. Rice said that after a long career of his own, he hopes Manning can go out on a high note.
“It would be great to see Peyton Manning get [Super Bowl win] number two,” Rice said.
Catch Afternoon Drive with Goodman and Shapiro every weekday from 4p-6p on Mile High Sports AM 1340 or stream live any time for Denver’s largest lineup covering what’s new and what’s next in Colorado sports.
