"Some people consider me the G.O.A.T.," he said with a smile as he stepped onto the field. "I'm going to be a photographer today. I'm having a great time."
During the San Francisco 49ers Week 18 contest against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's® Stadium, 49ers legend, widely known as the "G.O.A.T.," Jerry Rice went behind the lens to capture raw moments.
Rice spent pregame on the field with a camera in hand as the latest guest photographer in the NFL's celebrity photographer series. He experienced the speed, emotion, preparation, and intensity of an NFL game from a perspective he had never seen before. Past guest photographers in the NFL celebrity photographer series include Method Man, Kevin Durant, Marshawn Lynch, Suni Lee, Simone Biles, and others.
Rice arrived at the stadium early in the morning to receive his camera. The former wide receiver learned what shutter speed, ISO, and aperture meant, and made a mental checklist of players and people he wanted to see and capture. Throughout the day, Rice moved around the field and got used to the fast-paced nature of photography.
"There's so many things you've got to move around," he said, adjusting his camera as players streamed past him in warmups.
Rice noted the duality of being so close to the game he knows so well without being in it. Watching players warm up, he reflected on the muscle memory that never leaves.
"The weirdest thing is I actually could be out here running, catching footballs right now," he said. "That's crazy. That's just crazy."
Still, Rice embraced the unfamiliar role with the same seriousness that defined his Hall of Fame career.
"I'm a photographer today. I have a different job today," he said. "I'm trying to learn this and take pride in it. So if I'm gonna do something, I'm going all out, 100 percent."
He worked alongside the 49ers media team, carefully framing shots and following players in their pregame routines.
Team photographer Terrell Lloyd, who photographed Rice during five seasons of his playing career, reflected on the unique role reversal of working alongside him on gameday, this time with Rice behind the camera.
"I had the opportunity to photograph the greatest wide receiver in the game," Lloyd said. "There was no other wide receiver like Jerry, and being able to capture those moments while he was playing meant a lot to me."
Now, years later, Lloyd found himself guiding Rice through the rhythms of the sideline and the demands of gameday photography.
"Being with Jerry on the sidelines now, watching him have so much fun with the fans and players and seeing his passion for the team to win, is incredible to be around," Lloyd said. "His energy, behind the camera and in front of it, is electric."
Having lived through countless high-pressure moments as a player, Rice brought a unique empathy to the role.
"This is crazy right now, man," he said. "Being able to film these guys and get a shot of them... I've been there, done that. So I know what's going through their heads right now."
By the end of the game, Rice was reviewing images on the back of his camera, clearly pleased with what he had captured. His images can be seen here:
"Hey, you know what? I think I'm doing okay at this," he said, laughing.
Rice showcased what photographers know best: there is always another story to tell, a perspective to share, and a new craft to master.
"I think this might be my life after football."
Rice's newfound passion for photography emphasizes that greatness is not confined to one role. Sometimes, it just takes a new lens.
