Thousands of men have played professional football since the 1920 meeting held in Canton, Ohio that resulted in the formation of the Professional Football Players Association. Only 326 former players, including 29 Wide Receivers, have ever been enshrined at the site of that 1920 meeting.
Isaac Bruce gave a shout out to his beloved neighborhood during his Hall of Fame induction speech. He learned teamwork in a family with 14 siblings, but he learned football from his big brother Sam in their small front yard on 29th Avenue. He said his mother taught him humility; but it’s not hard to imagine that his father, Jesse, who owned a roofing company, is where he got his work ethic. Roofing and route running require a methodical, precise approach to repetition in challenging conditions.
One may wonder how a kid from Tater Town gets to Canton. His route was neither direct nor easy. He graduated from Dillard High School in 1990 with a State Championship under his belt but was academically ineligible to accept a scholarship to play at Purdue. He spent 2 years in California, playing and paying for junior college. Then, in 1992, the University of Memphis gave him a scholarship and an opportunity to play on a bigger stage. In 1994, after 2 record-setting years in Memphis, he was drafted 33rd overall into the NFL by the LA Rams. This 2nd round opportunity took him “back to Cali”. This time it was different – he was getting paid to be there. He made an immediate impact; his first career catch was a 34-yard touchdown grab. But it was not until the team moved to St. Louis and made key roster additions that the offense became known as the greatest show on turf and he experienced team success. He played 14 exceptional seasons for the Rams and after 4 Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl XXXIV victory, he signed with the 49ers, “going back to Cali” for a third time.
After 2 seasons with the 49ers, in 2010 he ended his 16 year NFL career. Though nicknamed “The Reverend Ike”, he was a man who let his play do the preaching. His career was quite a sermon. He finished with 15,208 career receiving yards, fifth-most in NFL history. At the time Bruce retired, the total was second-most all-time in NFL history. He caught 1,024 passes, 13th-most all-time. He scored 91 receiving touchdowns, 12th-most all-time in NFL history. In the Rams’ 23-16 Super Bowl XXXIV victory he had 162 receiving yards, including the game-winning 73-yard touchdown reception. He and Jerry Rice are the only receivers with a Super Bowl Ring, 15,000 yards, 1000 receptions and at least 90 touchdowns. Even Fort Lauderdale native and Hall of Fame receiver, Michael Irvin, has fewer yards, touchdowns and catches. He only exceeds Bruce in Super Bowl rings.
Finally, after Bruce was voted in with the centennial class of 2020 and a one-year COVID delay, on August 7, 2021, Isaac Isidore Bruce was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Tater Town has as much to be proud of him as he is proud of his roots there. The Hall of Fame recognition brings attention to a great football player who is also a dedicated family man, philanthropist and genuine role model. Congratulations Mr. Bruce.
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