There's nothing wrong with a little self-confidence, but the latest statement from San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice is sure to be turning some heads.
During Media Day for Super Bowl weekend on Tuesday, Moss--who set the record for most touchdown receptions by a wide receiver in a season, 23, in 2007--shocked some members of the media when he called himself the greatest wide receiver to ever put on an NFL jersey.
"Now that I'm older, I do think I'm the greatest receiver to ever do it," Moss said at Super Bowl media day in New Orleans.
Moss certainly has some impressive numbers that he has tallied over his 15-year career, having caught 982 passes for 15,292 yards and 156 touchdowns with only 13 fumbles.
While the seven-time Pro Bowler and multiple-record holder acknowledged that this season--during which he had only 28 receptions for 434 yards and three touchdowns--has been a down one for him, he still stood by his claims.
"I don't really live on numbers. I really live on impact and what you're able to do out on the field," he said Tuesday. "I really think I'm the greatest receiver to ever play this game."
His comments took NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, who holds the all-time records for receptions (1,549) yards (22,895) and touchdown receptions (197) by surprise.
"I'm very surprised Randy Moss used that in those words, that he's the greatest," Rice said on ESPN's "NFL Live." "You'd never hear me say I'm the greatest football player to ever play the game. I let my body of work speak for itself, and I think I was able to be very productive on the football field.
A 49ers legend, Rice formed one of the game's most legendary pass-catching combos with himself and NFL great Joe Montana, the duo powering San Francisco to three Super Bowl championships in the 1980s.
Rice didn't hesitate to bring up that for all of the accomplishments Moss has earned, he has yet to earn the most important one--a Super Bowl ring. Moss has a chance to finally obtain the elusive ring when his 49ers square off against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in the NFL's biggest game.
"You have to look at the stats, you have to look at how you impacted the game, and it's all about winning this right here, this is it, the Super Bowl, and I was fortunate to win three," said Rice, who was ranked No. 1 on the NFL Network's ranking of the top 100 players of all time in 2010. "Randy he finally has a chance to prove himself this weekend, and I wish him the best."