Posted By: JBforHOF (16/03/2008 10:03:50 AM)
Comment: Fans of John Brodie, QB of the 49ers from 1957 to 1973, and the great San Francisco 49ers, are helping get John R Brodie, enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. We are asking all fans of the 49ers to write or fax a nominating letter to the hall of Fame, for Brodie to be enshrined as a senior candidate. We have made a webpage and there are addresses and sample letters you can use. The cut off date for a 2009 nomination is March 1, 2008, so we need the letters sent soon, please. Here is the address: Send your letters to: Pro Football Hall of Fame Attn: Nomination Committee 2121 George Halas Drive NW, Canton, OH 44708 or Fax: 330-456-9080 here is the page with the sample letters: http://johnbrodieforfootballhalloffame.bravehost.com/samples.html There is also a Myspace: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=308917219 and an online petition, for fans to sign: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/johnbrodie/ Thanks so much for your help, despite having suffered a severe stroke in 2000, Brodie is still active and follows his beloved 49ers. "Many people we have contacted are surprised that Brodie is not already in the Pro Football Hall of fame because of his awesome stats as a football player. In his seventeen year career with the San Francisco 49ers, John Brodie was one of the foremost quarterbacks in football. A quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers from 1957 through 1973, a 17 year run, John Brodie threw for 31,548 yards and tossed 214 TDs in 201 career games. He appeared in the Pro Bowl in 1965 and 1970. He was named NFL/NFC's Most Valuable Player in 1970. His statistics clearly show him to be worthy of the honor of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is the greatest honor that can be bestowed upon a football player and John Brodie is more than worthy of such an honor. He was among the leading passers in the league throughout the 1960s. His best statistical year was 1965 when he led the League in passing average (3,112 yards) and 30 touchdowns. When John Brodie retired from the NFL, he ranked third in the NFL in career passing yards."

Posted By: sandra (12/03/2008 9:02:22 PM)
Comment: okay-color of the person does not matter. That is to the one person who mentioned color. Second, Rices's number should be retired in SanFran and in Oakland. He is the best. But then again, Rice said he could wear 80- Rice is a class act. Besides, did not Bruce pick 80 out of college to respect Rice????? People need to get a life.

Posted By: Al Monroe (12/03/2008 8:59:31 PM)
Comment: Someone wearing number 80 to play for the 49ers is disrespectful to that play Jerry Rice, even though he says it's ok. Jerry Rice is the Best Player with all his football record, no one has come close to that record by miles. So I say wear something else, a different number than number 80. Rice is the Special Player everyone wants in the league. So beat it Isaac Bruce.

Posted By: msg_b (12/03/2008 5:18:31 PM)
Comment: No doubt Jerry Rice raised the standard in which WRs play...but he did it...not the number 80. Jerry Rice will always be Jerry Rice no matter who wears #80.

Posted By: erikq (12/03/2008 1:48:09 PM)
Comment: hey any reason y steve young's jersey didnt get retired??? he definetly proved himself worthy as did joe montana!!

Response: Steve has three young children. I'd imagine he'd want to wait a few years for anything like that so that his children might know what's going on and be able to appreciate the ceremony. --Matt M.

Posted By: 9ermaniac (12/03/2008 1:28:35 PM)
Comment: I agree with Boozewoozy. Just like "The Great One" Wayne Gretzky had his #99 retired by the entire National Hockey League, the NFL should retire Jerry's #80 throughout the whole league too. And Air Jordan's number should NEVER be worn by anyone else also! Peace.

Posted By: madboy41 (12/03/2008 1:19:04 PM)
Comment: 8,16,42,80 should be retired. Ronnie Lott is best 49er ever

Posted By: simsbuki (12/03/2008 10:03:20 AM)
Comment: If Issac Bruce was a member of the Seahawks, Arizona, Giants or any team other than the Rams or Cowboys, I wouldn't have a problem with him wearing #80 as long as it's OK with Rice. 14 seasons with the Rams! And he wants to wear Rice's jersey? Hell no!

Posted By: LongLiveOakland (12/03/2008 5:22:08 AM)
Comment: and to livewire, im gonna have to agree. if it was a rookie coming out who wanted number 80 itd be different. but this is the third leading receiver in NFL history. and may very well be #2 at some point. its why steve largent let rice use 80, these are great players who all shared the same number and respect each other, so they are going to share it. thank god tim brown was 81 and we didnt go thru this when they were both in oakland...

Posted By: LongLiveOakland (12/03/2008 5:17:45 AM)
Comment: im gonna have to agree with hawaiianninerfan. once they run out of numbers to give and start unretiring numbers, i guarantee that 8 16 80 and maybe 42 will remain unusable

Posted By: HawaiianNiner4ever (12/03/2008 12:06:57 AM)
Comment: 3 49er jersey #'s you know should never be worn again. #16, #80, #8. End of discussion

Posted By: livewire (11/03/2008 11:21:11 PM)
Comment: And I'm sure there are going to be other great 80's. Jerry has made a choice and he did so to a very deserving reciever. Maybe if you respected and cherished and loved Jerry so much you YOURSELF WOULD RESPECT JERRY'S DECISSION. So please have a good night to all you classless, disrespectful Jerry fans.

Posted By: livewire (11/03/2008 11:16:32 PM)
Comment: I can't believe the stress you guys put yourselves through. To begin, Bruce is not a laughing stock reciever, he is THIRD all-time. Secondly, there is nothing you or I can do about an organization not retiring or retiring a number. Yeah, because as some moronic people think, they retire numbers and induct people into the hall of fame because of one catch or one touchdown or one special run. Get a grip on reallity. Most of the people posting on here I can tell probably never even seen half the people they speak of play other than on ESPN Classic. Speak based on reallity people. Not the "twilight zone" you're living in. I have to hear many of the young guys (18-25) talk of Jordan and how he was the greatest player ever. So I ask and what a surprise, most of them only seen him play a miserable season with Washington or seen highlights on ESPN. I wish you guys would speak with some sense as well and not based off of third person views or what you don't know because you never watched certain players you're belittling. Thank you.

Posted By: 'spectre (11/03/2008 11:08:55 PM)
Comment: Rice's statement is exceptionally classy. And I can appreciate the passing of the honor from Largent to Rice to Bruce. But regardless of what Rice himself said, no one should ever wear the number 80 for the 49ers again. Like Joe, he is one of the keystones to the two-decades-long dynasty. And like Joe, his name and number are synonymous, and just the sight or sound of the number conjures up images of what it means to be a 49er. He is the greatest receiver ever and it's not even close. That alone should make this a no-brainer. Please 49ers, do the right thing and take this decision out of Rice's hands. He has to make the offer because that's what kind of man he is. But you have to preserve the untarnished legacy of that number and the name it will always be associated with. Because that's what kind of player he was for this town and this franchise. Honor it.

Posted By: livewire (11/03/2008 11:07:26 PM)
Comment: hello

Posted By: DikMc (11/03/2008 11:01:01 PM)
Comment: The list of 49ers with retired numbers is rather, uh, pale. White-guy Steve Largent has his number retired for making one catch. Rice made a few more than that & desrves better treatment from whoever is running the team.

Posted By: chino (11/03/2008 10:44:41 PM)
Comment: JERRY RICE is elvis,the bettles,micheal jackson,to football no one should be able to wear his jersey.If the 49ers allow that to happen even Bill Walsh(r.i.p.) wouldn't agree to that. "I agree that his jersey should be retired throuh out the NFL"

Posted By: Matt Wetherholt (11/03/2008 10:26:11 PM)
Comment: NO NO NO...retire 80!!! He's not 81...Rice is 80...not T.O. another niner, not Moss...former Raider! Babe is 3...Michael is 23...Jerry is 80!!!

Posted By: Boozewoozy (11/03/2008 9:59:05 PM)
Comment: The NFL oughta retire #80 within the entire league!

Posted By: kylerrulz (11/03/2008 9:57:13 PM)
Comment: I think he should were the #80 because rice told him he could

Posted By: go dolphins 2-14 this year (11/03/2008 9:53:47 PM)
Comment: jerry rice is the greatest wide reciever of the 80's and mid 90's.....if he wears the jersey he btter take the 49ers to the playoffs at least

Posted By: JW (11/03/2008 9:52:31 PM)
Comment: Jerry Rice's number(80) should be retired. I understand Rice has given his consent for Bruce too wear the #80, but out of respect, Bruce should not even consider asking to wear the number 80. It would be like someone coming to the Chicago Bulls and asking to wear number 23. One way for the San Fransico 49ers to honor Jerry Rice, would be to retire the number 80.

Posted By: Robert V (11/03/2008 9:49:24 PM)
Comment: Jerry Rice is a Cool Dude NO ONE deserves to wear his Number!!

Posted By: TERRY (11/03/2008 9:43:42 PM)
Comment: I'M SORRY BEING A VIKING FAN NO.80 REMINDS ME OF CHRIS CARTER.BUT SINCE THE JERSEY WAS NEVER RETIRED IT'S UP TO THE TEAM WHO WEARS ANY JERSEY.THE MEDIA WILL BE THE ONLY ONES TO BLOW THIS UP.THANKS...

Posted By: Andrew Tomassini (11/03/2008 9:41:47 PM)
Comment: the 49ers need to retire # 8 as well, GO STEVE!

Posted By: Kalvin (11/03/2008 9:38:03 PM)
Comment: Rice is the receiver king and should get his number retired ASAP

Posted By: poop (11/03/2008 9:20:47 PM)
Comment: who gives a shit, his jersey isnt retired yet. he shouldnt even need rice's permission

Posted By: RiceFanLongTime (11/03/2008 8:01:28 PM)
Comment: Hey how can anyone be surprised that Rice was okay with it. Not only is he the best wide out ever but he's a great guy. Personally I'm offended by the 49ers for not retiring the number already. Hopefully Bruce plays well and helps Smith this season but perhaps he should take a diffrent number, something I think all players should do when switching teams, to signify a new beginning.

Posted By: Scott (11/03/2008 7:20:46 PM)
Comment: Listen Darth Largent might not have the numbers that Rice did. However when Largent retired he was the best wide reciever ever. I was glad to hear that Rice would give up his number to Bruce. If Rice didn't do that and yet he would have the balls to ask Largent for his number 80 then I would have lost all respect for him. So good job Rice on doing the right thing and not tarnishing a Seattle ledgend.

Posted By: Kimberly McCoy (10/03/2008 5:32:20 PM)
Comment: It is o.k. GO Rev. Ike, wear the #80 jersey, you have worn it for over 13 years, if it was that important for Jerry to be the last person to wear #80 they would have retired it, Mr. Bruce and jerry are two totally different players. GO MR. BRUCE!! You will always be a loved RAM!!!!!!!!

Posted By: darth (10/03/2008 4:40:28 PM)
Comment: Ok so Jerry is cool with it. It's just a number blah blah blah. Shannon Sharpe compares it to being a father or wife blah blah blah. We are talking about the best wide receiver period. IS the best receiver Steve Largent? Nope. Is it Rod Smith? Not even close. So when Jerry would like to wear number 80.....out of respect for the game and what he has done you let him wear that number. With all due respect to Issac Bruce pick another number. In 2-3 years when he retires he goes back to lamb land and retires in a nice blue and yellow 80. Right now he is an aging receiver on his way out the door. I hope he is productive. He is on the Niners now and I welcome the addition but he is not and will never be Jerry Rice.

Posted By: StonerLab (10/03/2008 4:39:48 PM)
Comment: Sorry oneniner, But this just in from the NFL Network. Your boy Antonio Bryant just signed a 1 year deal with the Buccaneers. The good thing is we won't have to talk about the possibility of him re-signing with the 49ers again. But don't worry Bryant will somehow "blow a gasket" & screw up his last chance with Gruden. He's the kind of coach that will not hesitate to cut you or suspend you, just ask Keyshawn.

Posted By: n8er (10/03/2008 3:41:34 PM)
Comment: I've been a Niner fan my whole life and I honestly believe that it doesn't matter who wears the number. I really don't like the Raiders but they have the right idea when it comes to jersey #s. Honor them but don't retire them. There are only 99 numbers they can use. and to the people who are offended or moraly wronged by someone other than Jerry wearing 80, GET A FREAKIN LIFE, IT'S 2 DIGITS! Jerry's legacy is not determined by the 80. it's not a big deal.

Posted By: b (10/03/2008 1:25:54 PM)
Comment: when Rice was in Denver people were saying Rod Smith should give up his number quoting Rod Smith about it "'Everybody says you should give it to Jerry,'" Smith recalled Sharpe saying. "I said, 'Why is it his number? So every No. 80 in the world is his?' He's like, 'Well, the people say you should give it to him, he's a legend.' "I said, 'Sharpe, that's like somebody saying that this guy over here is a better husband and father than you, why don't you give him your wife. You know what I'm saying? It don't make sense!' We joked about that for a while."

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (10/03/2008 11:00:42 AM)
Comment: I had this discussion with friends the day Isaac signed regarding the sacred number. I have ALWAYS considered Jerry the pedal beneath Joes' foot, but here's a twist for all of you. I lost my younger Brother in '02, a devoted NY Giant fan. He was crushed years ago when Rams receiver Flipper Anderson killed playoff advancement hopes for them. We were the Odd Couple of sorts, me a Niner, he a Giant. The irony in this is, Jerry appreciated the gesture of Largent, I Jerry, appreciate the favor being returned. My Brother provided divine intervention when T.O. torched the Giants for me. I would consider it an honor to have his name above the number 80, wearing my colors. His name of course, is BRUCE. Thanks Jerry, again, for doing me proud.

Posted By: NJ - Mike (10/03/2008 9:30:11 AM)
Comment: Matt -- Thanks for your reply re: Dwight Clark. Quick follow up question: What are the odds he gets into the HOF? I ask because there is clearly a bit of "romanticizing" that happens with certain players -- usually the result of an admitted east coast media bias, where I now live. But a look at the numbers could make the case that if the Niners played in New York or Boston, a lot of their players would be in. For example: 1) Lynn Swann played in just 115 games, had 336 receptions for 5462 yards and 51 TDs. 2) Dwight Clark played in 134 games, had 506 receptions for 6750 yards and 48 TDs... Both made memorable catches in big games. Both played for teams that won several Super Bowls. One guy is in, one guy is not. (John Taylor, if you're wondering, had the following stats: 121 games, 347 receptions, 5598 yards and 43 TDs -- almost identical numbers to Swann while playing second fiddle to a guy named Rice... And yes, Taylor has a Super Bowl winning catch in Walsh's last game. Not a bad resume either.) I could make similar arguments for Brent Jones vs. John Mackey. Perhaps these players just need to wait for their turn. Or perhaps Canton should build a second bust for Bill Walsh. But last I looked, those 5 Super Bowls were won on the field. Rice clearly goes in on the first ballot, but that would still put the 49ers total at half the Steelers ('70s) and Packers ('60s). Your thoughts on Clark? Craig? Others? Thanks.

Response: I don't believe Clark has much of a chance. His numbers will not stand up to the new guys who are becoming eligible. Craig has a chance because of his versatility and the way he changed the game. In Craig's career, he was the lead-blocker for a 1,000-yard rusher and, of course, he was the first player tiwht 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season. --Matt M.

Posted By: Alex (10/03/2008 9:19:53 AM)
Comment: It doesn't matter what Rice says... if Bruce wears #80 he is a punk.

Posted By: Ciro (10/03/2008 8:43:40 AM)
Comment: Matt, thanks for your reply. So we have to let it know to the NFL website... :-)

Posted By: PDXLarry (10/03/2008 7:57:53 AM)
Comment: Just another class act by a very classy guy. I sure do miss seeing Rice on this team.

Posted By: KezarMike (10/03/2008 7:22:41 AM)
Comment: First of all, are we absolutely ABSOLUTELY sure that Jerry can't play just ONE more year? (please Jerry, please) You mean to say he couldn't be the third guy and a hell of a possession receiver even now? Also Dwight Clark, besides being a superb athelete (yes, he sure could jump and time tests showed he KEPT his speed, when he was timed in the 40 over and over again over a short period of time - he was a tremendous receiver, the best in the NFL, on two Super Bowl teams - his career ended after 9 years because of a knee injury - in my opinion, he's Hall of Fame worthy - again, at his peak, he was THE BEST.

Posted By: 16isGOD (10/03/2008 7:07:52 AM)
Comment: Why in the world would the Niners have any special place for #87. That doorknob ran the francise into the ground. One good catch does not a GM make.

Response: Are you talking about the same guy who made the biggest play in franchise history and then, as GM, compiled a 48-16 record in four seasons? Hmmm, interesting. --Matt M.

Posted By: oneniner (10/03/2008 7:03:42 AM)
Comment: I don't like this. That number should be retired....It's obvious that number means more to the faithful than to J. Rice. Who cares what Steve Largent thinks or did....My vote is NO.

Posted By: Mike Martz Fan (10/03/2008 5:59:32 AM)
Comment: Once again, I'm on it. Like I said (Darth), Rice will allow Bruce to wear the "sacred" #80. Classy move Jerry...

Posted By: Ciro (10/03/2008 1:26:20 AM)
Comment: Hi Matt, are you sure Ronnie Lott jersey has been retired. In http://www.nfl.com/history/retirednumbers I don't see it. An italian 49ers fan

Response: Yes, Lott had his number retired at halftime of the 2003 Monday night game against the Steelers. Eddie D even flew in for the halftime ceremony. --Matt M.

Posted By: Father Flynn (09/03/2008 11:39:18 PM)
Comment: Ok John, give us 10 Hail Mary's and 10 victory's next year and all will be forgiven.

Posted By: John A (09/03/2008 11:28:18 PM)
Comment: Gent's, Please, I have been watching the 9ers for so long, I have been through the 60's the brutal playoff losses of the 70's and the Mr Joe Thomas nightmare all the way up to this point. I only said "hall of famer?", because I hate the Rams. NO RAM is worthy of the HOF as far as I am concerned!!! I don't root for players I root for my team!! With that said, Isaac Bruce is a great pick up!! A HOF for sure!! But until he puts on that 9er uniform, he's a RAM!!!! I am just as frustrated with this team as the rest of you. Isaac killed us. I am glad he is with the 49ers. Why are you beating me up about that comment anyway? It was Tongue in cheek? Geezo..tough crouwd. My comments were directed towards people who have a problem with him wearing 80, I think it's cool that a HOFer is going to wear it before it's retired and really cool to see an exceptional receiver and future HOF zipping around Bill Walsh field wearing the jersey of the greatest receiver in NFL history and a nemesis of the past winning games for us. I feel like I just left the confessional-.

Posted By: Scott (09/03/2008 10:43:50 PM)
Comment: Steve give John A. a break, it's obvious that the game has passes John A. by. Everyone know Bruce is third all-time in receiving yard, that by itself is enough to get Bruce in the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. Don't make fun of John, we will all be there some day.

Posted By: Steve F. (09/03/2008 10:38:17 PM)
Comment: John A. your kidding about questioning whether Bruce is Hall of Fame material-. Really? Are you serious??? Wow, well I guess John A. proves that people that don't watch football post on this site-. Boy I hope he was kidding-.

Posted By: John A (09/03/2008 8:21:18 PM)
Comment: Isaac Bruce a Hall of Famer? I don't know...but if the man reaches out and says Isaac it's yours to wear I think is very very cool. Jerry Rice has come along way over the years. Let's leave that fan fustration out of it and let the men who play the game decide. Some of the comments on this subject are pretty astounding. You never played you will never know what it's like to play and you will never know what it's like to be an NFL player. It's a great thing not a bad thing at all. Hearing some of Isaac's comments over the last few weeks tells me that he will say "I would be honored to wear flash 80's jersey". I love what Matt does for us hear. But sometimes the Arch Enemy Complex get's to us. I hated Jack "hacksaw" Reynolds...then he started wearing the colors of our beloved 49ers, 2 trophies later.....

Posted By: JavaWebServices (09/03/2008 7:58:09 PM)
Comment: Whoops, I think my comment regarding using the entire ASCII printable character set torpedoed this web page. Sorry!

Posted By: JavaWebServices (09/03/2008 7:56:15 PM)
Comment: Someday the NFL will need to go to 3-digit numbers and/or use the entire ASCII printable character set. Imagine the first guy to have number '!!' Or '$' . Or '@