Jerry Rice at the American Century Golf Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev.
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EmailJerry Rice became the greatest receiver in NFL history while playing for the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders. Now, he’ll try his hand at another pro sport in the Bay Area.
Rice, 46, has received a sponsor exemption into the 2010 Stonebrae Classic on the Nationwide Tour. The event will be held April 15-18 at TPC San Francisco.
More importantly than playing in the event, the Jerry Rice 127 Foundation has been named the “primary receiver” of the charitable proceeds generated by the tournament.
According to GHIN.com, Rice is a 0.4 handicap, with a low index of +0.7 over the past 12 months. To call Rice a frequent player would be an understatement. He has posted 15 rounds this month.
“I have a tremendous respect for professional golfers and an appreciation of the Nationwide Tour, because of the way it provides aspiring golfers a chance to pursue their careers,” Rice said. “Also, I am excited for the opportunity to play in the tournament and experience that level of competition.”
The 127 Foundation is designed to support various children’s organizations. The relationship with the Stonebrae Classic allows Rice to re-launch the foundation, setting new goals and expanding its outreach.
Rice joins quarterback Mark Rypien and kicker Al Del Greco as former NFL players to play in Nationwide Tour events. Rypien missed the cut at the 2000 Tri-Cities Open (78-87), as well as the PGA Tour’s Kemper Open (80-91) in 1992.
Del Greco played in the 2003 Knoxville Open (75-78) and the 2001 Florida Classic (76-79).
