The words, “You’re gonna be a Los Angeles Charger,” usually bring pure joy to a player on the draft day. However, for Brenden Rice, it was a bittersweet moment. As the son of legendary wide receiver Jerry Rice, Brenden carries the weight of his family name in the draft. Unlike his dad, who was drafted 16th overall, Brenden’s name went uncalled during the first two days.

On the morning of Day 3, the former USC star boarded a flight to Dallas. As reported by sportswriter Ian Rapoport, his mission wasn’t celebration but to serve as a pallbearer at his best friend Keith Miller III’s funeral. Miller had tragically passed away just two weeks before the draft. That’s when the Chargers’ GM Joe Hortiz called Rice with life-changing news that he’d been selected. 

Brenden Rice’s spirit was uplifted by the draft day dial

On draft day, Brenden Rice’s emotional journey was a testament to his resilience. Despite enduring a long wait and carrying a heavy emotional burden, he remained steadfast. Numerous NFL teams overlooked his name before it was finally called after the sixth round. It was during the seventh round that Joe Hortiz, the Chargers’ GM, reached out with life-changing news. “I know it’s a difficult time for you, brother. Give my condolences to you and your family…hopefully, we can lift your spirits a little bit,” Hortiz said. He then revealed that Brenden was the 225th overall pick, joining Jim Harbaugh’s team.

Overwhelmed with mixed emotions, Brenden responded, “This was like one of my top teams, man. You guys don’t know, I love Jim Harbaugh. I can’t wait to come play for y’all.” The support didn’t stop there. Soon, Harbaugh himself joined the call, boosting Brenden’s spirits further. “As Tom Brady said, it doesn’t matter if you’re drafted in the first round or sixth round or seventh round, nobody can measure anybody’s heart.“ The highly emotional Brenden ended the call with a promising note, saying, “Gonna be one hell of a story and I can’t wait to do it with you and Justin Herbert, man.”

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Brenden is now a charger ready to create his legacy

The Chargers made a smart pick for their wide receivers room by drafting Brenden Rice. The USC star, Brenden Rice, started college football at Colorado before Coach Prime took over. He switched schools after the 2021 season, and his former Buffs OC, Darrin Chiaverini, endorsed Rice before the draft day. Chiaverini said, “Whoever picks Brenden Rice is getting a hard worker, a great teammate, and a good person.“ How much this influenced Jim Harbaugh’s decision is uncertain, but Rice’s athletic skills can speak for itself.

Rice’s career is marked by impressive statistics, including 22 touchdowns and 111 receptions for 1,821 receiving yards. He was also a key target for Caleb Williams during their time at USC. While both are embarking on their NFL journeys with different teams, Brenden, in particular, is determined to carve his own path in the NFL, stepping out from the shadow of his legendary father, Jerry Rice. This bittersweet draft is just the beginning for Brenden, and his potential is yet to be fully realized.