EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – After completing a simple flare pass and jogging back to the huddle, the running back appeared relaxed, engaging in a usual routine during the Los Angeles Chargers’ training camp.

Did you see that?

From the family section, I couldn’t resist giving Jerry Rice a playful nudge.

He certainly noticed.

If we were in Rocklin, you, J.T., or Roger Craig, would have run it all the way to the end zone, stretching the play another 70 yards.

“I can’t comprehend how players approach it differently today,” Rice said, shaking his head in disbelief.

During the practice, Rice was there to support his son, Brenden, a rookie receiver from USC drafted in the seventh round, who has been impressing scouts consistently. Despite his lower draft position, Brenden has been getting significant opportunities with the starting team, signaling a promising future.

As the most celebrated receiver in NFL history, Jerry is clearly proud of his son’s performance, yet he understands the importance of giving Brenden the space to grow.

“I’m just a dad; I’m here to watch,” Rice shared with YSL News Sports. “If he wants advice or needs something, I’m all in. But I don’t just…”

Give unsolicited advice?

“No, I let him come to me,” Rice continued. “If I push it on him, he won’t respond.”

This resonates with my own experiences with my 22-year-old son.

“They will resist at times,” Rice acknowledged. “So, you need to be patient. That’s the key. You have to wait.”

While attending college games for Brenden, Rice was frequently asked about the guidance he offered his son.

“I don’t share anything with him,” Rice firmly stated. “Unless he asks me.”

Should Brenden inquire about a recent play where he missed a catch on a slant pass thrown behind him, he can expect to hear all the pointers from his dad. Jerry, ever the perfectionist, is keen on details that could lead to success.

“That missed pass? Shift your body!” Rice advised. “Position your body backward to secure the catch. It’ll help your quarterback too.”

It was delightful to reconnect with Rice and reminisce about past times. Before I joined YSL News Sports in 1993, I covered the San Francisco 49ers for three years, noting how they endured the intense training during hot conditions in Rocklin, California, alongside stars like Rice, Joe Montana, and Ronnie Lott preparing for the NFL seasons.

Rice was always precise, competitive, and driven. Such traits undeniably helped him maximize his talent and mental focus throughout his career.

Now, nearly 20 years since his last season, Rice, now 61, still feels a sting from his team’s missed chance for a three-peat in 1990 and the memory of Super Bowl 37 loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while he was with the Oakland Raiders lingers on.

“That loss still bothers me,” Rice confessed. “There were so many factors involved. We even found Barret Robbins (the Raiders center) in a ditch in Mexico.”

“And that little Chucky,” he said, referencing then-Bucs coach Jon Gruden. “He was reveling in it.”

Listening to Rice, it seems he still holds on to the feeling of unfinished business.

“I have never played a flawless game,” he argued.

Is that so? Rice was named MVP of Super Bowl 23, where he set the record with 215 receiving yards against the Cincinnati Bengals. He also holds numerous Super Bowl records, including three touchdowns in a single game (vs. Chargers in Super Bowl 29), and career marks for receptions, yards, and touchdowns across various categories. His regular-season records are equally impressive, covering receptions, yards, touchdowns, 100-yard games, 1,000-yard seasons, and consecutive games with at least one catch.

Nevertheless, this competitive mindset often meant he would be dissatisfied even after stellar performances like catching 11 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns on a given Sunday.

His expectations for excellence are unquestionably high.

I can’t help but wonder if Rice feels that his legacy places additional expectations on Brenden, who is preparing for his second preseason game on Saturday at SoFi Stadium against the Los Angeles Rams.

“There will always be pressure to succeed in the NFL,” Rice acknowledged. “But he aims to be his own person and understands it’s not about my achievements.”

Brenden, donning No. 82, does not mirror his father’s appearance. Jerry, who wore No. 80, had a lean build indicating he was deceptively strong. In contrast, Brenden, standing at 6-3 and weighing 210 pounds, is noticeably larger. His physique is reminiscent of Jerry’s teammate, John Taylor (J.T.), who appeared bulkier than he actually was speedy.

“Sometimes, I need to bring him back down to reality because he thinks he’s significantly bigger and faster,” Rice admitted. “He tries to show off.”

“I tell him, ‘Hey, you should check out my stats,’ which keeps him grounded.”

Nonetheless, Rice is confident in Brenden’s ability to carve his own identity.

“He’s very dedicated,” Rice mentioned.

He possesses great talent and is eager to do everything possible to support his team’s success. Working under Jim Harbaugh is a perfect fit for him, as their approach will heavily focus on running the ball, which in turn will create opportunities for the passing game.

“Tony Romo even advised him that the offensive coordinator, Greg Roman, prefers a run-heavy strategy. Therefore, he should be prepared to block safeties effectively. The key to getting on the field is to consistently put in hard work, get dirty with blocking, and show your impact on the team’s performance. Ultimately, the most dedicated and capable players will earn their spots.”

Harbaugh, in his inaugural season back in the NFL, expressed excitement when discussing Brenden. He made it clear that a player’s draft position, as well as his renowned father, will not influence how he assesses his potential.

“A player’s draft round is irrelevant,” Harbaugh stated to YSL News Sports. “Once they’re on that field, their draft status is forgotten. Whether they were picked low, high, or even signed as free agents, all that matters is competition. It doesn’t matter where someone is from. At The Bolt, we welcome competitors.”

This highlights why Harbaugh has been markedly impressed with Brenden.

“I eagerly anticipate watching him practice every day,” Harbaugh remarked. “He consistently shows up – both on the field and in film.”

Brenden has certainly found himself in a position brimming with potential. The Chargers lost their top two receivers from the last few seasons – reliable veteran Keenan Allen and explosive playmaker Mike Williams – over the offseason. When informed about Jerry’s focus on run-blocking being crucial in the new system, Harbaugh acknowledged the importance of this advice.

“Absolutely, having receivers who can block is essential,” Harbaugh said. “It’s vital. If a player isn’t giving their all in blocking, how can you expect them to break a sweat in the gray T-shirt? You want to leave everything on the field and finish the game with a sweaty T-shirt.”

And of course, he receives his father’s Hall of Fame approval.