In a big Monday night matchup, the 49ers got off to a blazing start over the division rival Rams. Even with Jimmy Garoppolo back as the permanent starter (for now), it seemed San Francisco could do no wrong.
Then, late in the first half, Deebo Samuel absolutely made seemingly every Rams defender look silly in the open field on an absurd touchdown, and the floodgates opened. One particular fan in attendance really appeared to love Samuel’s moves on his score. I’m talking about the NFL’s all-time leading receiver in most relevant statistics — 49ers legend Jerry Rice.
Once Samuel capped his awesome touchdown to give the 49ers a 14-6 lead, cameras panned to Rice happily sipping his drink out of a glass while pointing his hand — with a Super Bowl ring on it, mind you — at the field in approval:
.@JerryRice approves 👏
📺: #LARvsSF on ESPN
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/keYveuhX3P pic.twitter.com/m64GtWOcLO— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2022
the perfect statue model of Jerry Rice does not exi- pic.twitter.com/6I15gVMa5J
— Justin Karp (@jskarp) October 4, 2022
Oh, yeah. That’s the GOAT wide receiver living his best life, watching his long-time team thrive with another terrific playmaker. And if you’re Samuel, there’s probably no one else’s approval that means more than Rice’s. Game recognize game.
NFL fans loved seeing a happy, approving Rice relaxing with a drink after Samuel's score
Jerry Rice 👑 pic.twitter.com/2XB1hrBstP
— Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) October 4, 2022
Jerry Rice drinking brown in slow-mo on National tv while flexing his SB ring was the joy I didn’t know I needed until it happened
— FunnyMaine (@FunnyMaine) October 4, 2022
Every highlight henceforth shall be punctuated by a smiling Jerry Rice wearing a purple bowtie sipping from a lowball glass in slow motion pic.twitter.com/zCG3tpX8Nw
— Fᴏᴏᴛʙᴀʟʟ Zᴇʙʀᴀs🇺🇦 (@footballzebras) October 4, 2022
They showed Jerry Rice smiling. Honestly, that's what Jerry Rice used to do, kids. Highest praise you can lay on a player #49ers
— Brian Murphy (@knbrmurph) October 4, 2022
What’s cooler than Jerry Rice pointing at you while he sips his drink and you’re walking into the end zone?
— Chris Lazaro (@ChrisLazaro_4) October 4, 2022
Jerry Rice in the stands with that wine glass is so San Francisco lol.
— O.J. Spivey (@OJPhilly) October 4, 2022
Jerry Rice will drink to that, Deebo pic.twitter.com/xoryUVHa35
— CJ Fogler AKA Perc70 #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) October 4, 2022
jerry rice enjoyed that 57-yd deebo td pic.twitter.com/b76WXxEYF5
— míchael (@MikeTaddow) October 4, 2022
Jerry Rice raising a glass to Deebo Samuel is giving me life
— Daniel Dunn Jr (@danieldunnjr) October 4, 2022