Jerry Rice is considered a prime example of on-the ... He could outjump defenders to balls. And his hands -- big and toughened by his early bricklaying days and yet sensitive -- were incomparable.

Jerry Rice was born and raised in Crawford, Mississippi, as the son of a brick mason. He developed his hands while working for his father. His speed also helped him excel in football in high school.

Jerry Rice owns several of the most important NFL ... ran precise routes and his huge hands seemed to pull in everything. "He can catch a BB on a dead run at night," Cooley said.