WR / WR
Isaac Bruce
Class of 2020
Pro Bowls
4
Receiving Yards
15,208
Receptions
1,024
Seasons
16
Total TDS
91
“My mom taught me to be humble, but once I’m on the field it becomes a competition thing. I have something to prove whenever I go out there. I think guys look at me and think I’m too skinny or see where I went to school and probably ask what am I doing here. So, I take the initiative as far as coming off the ball and trying to block and knock a defensive back on his butt or trying to catch passes and make a big play.”
Career Highlights
Isaac Bruce was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round (33rd player overall) of the 1994 NFL Draft.
Known for his precise route-running and tireless work ethic, Bruce totaled 1,024 receptions for 15,208 yards and 91 touchdowns during a 16-year career with the Rams (1994-2007) and San Francisco 49ers (2008-09). His receptions total ranked fifth and his receiving yardage placed him second in NFL history at the time of his retirement.
Bruce earned a starting role with the Rams in his second season and produced one of the greatest seasons by a wide receiver in league history. He totaled 119 receptions for 1,781 yards and 13 TDs. The yardage total would have been a new NFL record had Jerry Rice not posted 1,848 yards that same season. Bruce was also the first in NFL history to record three consecutive games with 170 or more receiving yards (181, 191, 173).
Bruce produced eight 1,000-yards seasons and 10 seasons in which he recorded 60 or more receptions.
In 1999, Bruce was a key ingredient in the Rams’ surprise turnaround from a team that had not finished higher than third place in the NFC Western Division in nine seasons to a first-place finish and a Super Bowl victory. Bruce’s 77 receptions for 1,165 and 12 touchdowns earned him an All-Pro nod and helped prime the Rams to a then-franchise best 13-3 record. In Super Bowl XXXIV, Bruce grabbed six receptions for 162 yards (third most in Super Bowl history) and one touchdown. The touchdown was a 73-yard reception that proved to be the game winner with 1:54 remaining in contest.
Bruce, who recorded 42 100-yard games during his career, earned four Pro Bowl invitations during his 223-game career.
Receiving |
||||||
Year |
Team |
G |
No. |
Yds. |
Avg. |
TD |
1994 |
L.A. Rams |
12 |
21 |
272 |
13.0 |
3 |
1995 |
St. Louis |
16 |
119 |
1,781 |
15.0 |
13 |
1996 |
St. Louis |
16 |
84 |
1,338 |
15.9 |
7 |
1997 |
St. Louis |
12 |
56 |
815 |
14.6 |
5 |
1998 |
St. Louis |
5 |
32 |
457 |
14.3 |
1 |
1999 |
St. Louis |
16 |
77 |
1,165 |
15.1 |
12 |
2000 |
St. Louis |
16 |
87 |
1,471 |
16.9 |
9 |
2001 |
St. Louis |
16 |
64 |
1,106 |
17.3 |
6 |
2002 |
St. Louis |
16 |
79 |
1,075 |
13.6 |
7 |
2003 |
St. Louis |
15 |
69 |
981 |
14.2 |
5 |
2004 |
St. Louis |
16 |
89 |
1,292 |
14.5 |
6 |
2005 |
St. Louis |
11 |
36 |
525 |
14.6 |
3 |
2006 |
St. Louis |
16 |
74 |
1,098 |
14.8 |
3 |
2007 |
St. Louis |
14 |
55 |
733 |
13.3 |
4 |
2008 |
San Francisco |
16 |
61 |
835 |
13.7 |
7 |
2009 |
San Francisco |
10 |
21 |
264 |
12.6 |
0 |
Career Total |
223 |
1,024 |
15,208 |
14.9 |
91 |
Additional Career Statistics: Rushing: 25-139; Passing: 8-3-81
1999 NFC – St. Louis Rams 11, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6
Bruce started at wide receiver. He had 3 receptions for 22 yards.
2001 NFC – St. Louis Rams 29, Philadelphia Eagles 24
Bruce started at wide receiver. He had 8 receptions for 84 yards and 1 TD.
Super Bowls
Super Bowl XXXIV – St. Louis Rams 23, Tennessee Titans 16
Bruce started at wide receiver. He had 6 receptions for 162 yards and 1 TD.
Super Bowl XXXVI – New England Patriots 20, St. Louis Rams 17
Bruce started at wide receiver. He had 5 receptions for 56 yards.
All-League Teams
All-Pro: 1999 (SN)
All-Pro Second Team: 1999 (AP)
All-NFC Team: 1999 (PW)
All-NFC Second Team: 1995 (UPI) · 1996 (UPI)
Pro Bowls
(4) – 1997, 2000, 2001*, 2002*
*Did not play
In the NFL Record Book (at time of his retirement following the 2009 season)
- [2nd] Most Yards Receiving, Career – 15,208
- [2nd] Most Yards Receiving, Season – 1,781 (1995)
- [Tied for 2nd] Most Consecutive Games, 100 or More Yards Receiving – 6 (1995)
- [Tied for 3rd] Most Seasons, 50 or More Pass Receptions – 12 (1995-97, 1999-2004, 2006-08)
- [Tied for 3rd] Most Games, 200 or More Yards Receiving, Career – 3
- [Tied for 3rd] Most Games, 100 or More Yards Receiving, Season – 9
Super Bowl Records
- [3rd] Most Receiving Yards, Game – 162 (Super Bowl XXXIV)
Pro Bowl Records
- [Tied for 1st] Most Fair Catches, Game – 2 (1997)
- [Tied for 3rd] Most Receptions, Game – 7 (1997)
Team Records
Rams records held by Bruce
(Records through the 2007 season, Bruce’s final season with St. Louis)
- [1st] Most Receptions, Career – 942
- [1st] Most Receptions, Season – 119 (1995)
- [1st] Most Receiving Yards, Career – 14,109
- [1st] Most Receiving Yards, Season – 1,781 (1995)
- [1st] Most Yards from Scrimmage, Career – 14,259
- [1st] Most All-Purpose Yards, Career – 14,311
- [1st] Most Seasons, 50 or More Receptions – 11
- [1st] Most Seasons, 1,000 or More Yards – 9
- [1st] Most Consecutive Games, 100 or More Yards Receiving – 6 (1995)
- [1st] Most Consecutive Games, 150 or More Yards Receiving – 3 (1995)
- [1st] Most Touchdown Receptions, Career – 84
- [Tied for 1st] Most Points, Game – 24 (vs. San Francisco, Oct. 10, 1999)
- [Tied for 1st] Most Touchdowns, Game – 4 (vs. San Francisco, Oct. 10, 1999)
- [Tied for 1st] Most Touchdown Receptions, Game – 4 (vs. San Francisco, Oct. 10, 1999)
- [2nd] Most Two-Point Conversions, Career – 3
- [2nd] Most Touchdowns, Career – 84
- [2nd] Most Games, 100 or More Yards Receiving, Career – 43
- [2nd] Most Games, 100 or More Yards Receiving, Season – 9 (1995)
- [Tied for 2nd] Most Receptions, Game – 15 (vs. Miami, Dec. 24, 1995)
- [Tied for 2nd] Most Touchdown Receptions, Season – 13 (1995)
- [3rd] Most Consecutive Games, 100 or More Yards Receiving – 3 (2004)
- [Tied for 3rd] Most Seasons – 14
- [Tied for 3rd] Most Touchdown Receptions, Season – 12 (1999)
Postseason Records
- [1st] Most Receiving Yards, Career – 759
- [1st] Most Games, 100 or More Yards Receiving, Career – 4
- [Tied for 1st] Most Consecutive Games With a Touchdown Reception – 2
- [2nd] Most Consecutive Games With a Pass Reception – 9
- [2nd] Most Receiving Yards, Game – 162 (vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV)
- [2nd] Longest Pass Reception – 77t (vs Minnesota, Jan. 16, 2000)
- [Tied for 2nd] Most Receptions, Game – 8 (vs. Philadelphia, Jan. 27, 2002)
- [3rd] Most Receptions, Career – 44
- [3rd] Most Yards From Scrimmage, Career – 760
- [3rd] Highest Average Gain Per Reception, Game – 33.3 (vs. Minnesota, Jan. 16, 2000)
- [Tied for 3rd] Longest Pass Reception – 73t (vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV)
Super Bowl Records
- [1st] Longest Pass Reception – 73t (vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV)
- [1st] Most Receiving Yards, Game – 162 (vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV)
- [1st] Highest Average Gain Per Reception, Game – 27.0 (vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV)
- [Tied for 1st] Most Touchdowns, Game – 1 (vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV)
- [2nd] Most Receptions, Game – 6 (vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV)
- [Tied for 2nd] Most Points, Game – 6 (vs. Tennessee, Super Bowl XXXIV)
- [3rd] Most Receptions, Game – 5 (vs. New England, Super Bowl XXXVI)
Awards and Honors
- 1994 Carroll Rosenbloom Memorial Award
- 1995 Daniel F. Reeves Memorial Award
- 1995 NFC Offensive Player of the Month (October)
- 1995 NFC Week 1 Special Teams Player of the Week
- 1995 NFC Week 6 Offensive Player of the Week
- 1996 Daniel F. Reeves Memorial Award
- 1999 NFC Week 5 Offensive Player of the Week
- 2001 Ed Block Courage Award
- 2002 NFC Week 10 Offensive Player of the Week
League/Team Statistical Titles
NFL Statistical Championships
Pass Receiving Yardage Titles: 1996
NFC Statistical Championships
Pass Receiving Yardage Titles: 1996
Team Statistical Championships
Pass Reception Titles: 1995, 1996, 2000
Scoring Titles: 1995
Year-by-Year Team Records
1994 Los Angeles Rams............. 4-12-0 (4th)
1995 St. Louis Rams................... 7-9-0 (3rd)
1996 St. Louis Rams................. 6-10-0 (3rd)
1997 St. Louis Rams................. 5-11-0 (5th)
1998 St. Louis Rams................. 4-12-0 (5th)
1999 St. Louis Rams................. 13-3-0 (1st)
2000 St. Louis Rams................. 10-6-0 (2nd)
2001 St. Louis Rams................. 14-2-0 (1st)
2002 St. Louis Rams................... 7-9-0 (2nd)
2003 St. Louis Rams................. 12-4-0 (1st)
2004 St. Louis Rams................... 8-8-0 (2nd)
2005 St. Louis Rams................. 6-10-0 (2nd)
2006 St. Louis Rams................... 8-8-0 (2nd)
2007 St. Louis Rams................. 3-13-0 (4th)
2008 San Francisco 49ers............ 7-9-0 (2nd)
2009 San Francisco 49ers............ 8-8-0 (2nd)
(Division Finish in Parentheses)
Qualified for Postseason in Bold
Full Name: Isaac Isidore Bruce
Birthdate: November 10, 1972
Birthplace: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
High School: Dillard (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Pro Career: 16 seasons, 223 games
Drafted: 2nd round (33rd player overall) in 1994 by L.A. Rams
ISAAC BRUCE
ISAAC BRUCE: Moved my iPad. Thank you so much. Praise the Lord, everybody. Praise the Lord, everybody!
(Cheers.)
All right, all right. All right. So they moved my iPad from up here, but it's all good. We are going to roll with it. It's coming from the heart tonight. I thank God, Father God, for this moment, this situation, the circumstances here tonight, and I thank his son, Jesus Christ, who loved me and who gave himself for me.
(Cheers and applause.)
I'm honored to be here tonight. Thank my big brother for presenting me, Tony Wyllie, and great friends, my brother, my mentor, from the beginning. Watched him play in Holiday Park, South Florida.
I'd like to thank my lovely wife, Clegzette. Love you. Thank you for all your help, pushing me, for being there for me.
(Applause.)
I'd like to thank my three beautiful children, represented here tonight, Isabella Billionaire, so beautiful. Charis the Heiress, so beautiful. Yes. I'm grateful.
I'd like to thank my dad, Jesse Bruce, of Albany, Georgia.
(Cheers.)
Yes. And I'm so grateful that he moved to South Florida. So grateful he moved to Florida. I'd like to thank my mother, Karetha Bruce, of West Palm Beach, Florida, aka Sister Bruce. That union produced 15 wonderful children. I've got 14 brothers and sisters. They're represented here tonight.
(Cheers.)
Yes, sir. Check that. Check that. I'm going to say 14 wonderful children. The jury is still out on one, Rosalyn. Oh man.
I'd like to thank my neighborhood, my village, TaterTown, 29th Avenue and 4th Street, who helped raise me, helped nurture me, my city, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Broward County, being represented tonight by myself and Mr. Steve Hutchinson. Yes, sir.
I'm grateful. I'm having a good time. I'd like to thank my high school, Dillard High School. The standard in South Florida. Class of 1990. The 1989 State Champions led by Otis Gray. Dillard had a big influence on my life, and I'm very grateful that I went to that school. I'm honored.
My junior colleges, Santa Monica City College. The NFL legends that were there to meet me and help me and to help with my development. The great Marlin Briscoe, my position coach. NFL legend Rock Richmond, thank you. Dave Burrell and Robert Taylor, who introduced me to work study, and I was so grateful. Thank you.
The University of Memphis, aka Memphis State. Randy Fichtner for recruiting me and giving me a scholarship. To one of the best cities in America. Memphis, that is.
My South Hall of Famers who are represented here today, man, I love you all, man. I appreciate you coming out to support me. To the nameless voice that called me two weeks before the draft in 1994 to let me know that the NFL wasn't checking for me, they didn't like me, they liked more of NFL legend Bert Emanuel and Ryan Yarborough. I know you're alive, I know you're listening, I prayed God keep you alive for this day.
(Cheers and applause.)
So my message to you is rap legend Kool Moe Dee wanted me to ask: How ya like me now?
(Cheers.)
Yes, sir! To the Los Angeles Rams who drafted me in 1994, and my teammates Wayne Gandy, James Bostic, Toby Wright is in the house, those are my guys. I appreciate you and love you. My coach Steve Moore at the time.
To the city of St. Louis, its fan base, I love you. Thanks for all the love, thanks for embracing me and my team for 21 great years. We grew up there. I love you and I thank you.
To my teammates Torry Holt, Marshall, Orlando, Kurt, Ricky Proehl, who made the biggest catch of my career in the NFC Championship game. Oz. All my tight ends who are represented here today. Thanks for clearing it out, and thanks for Max blocking. I appreciate you, baby.
Todd Hewitt, Tiffany Burns who worked so hard, Jim Anderson.
All my quarterbacks, starting from day one with Samuel Bruce in the front yard on 29th Avenue. DeShaun Hill getting me right. London Fletcher. Keith Lyle, Todd Lyght, all my imaginary friends growing up in South Florida in TaterTown, Mark Clayton and Mark Duper and we took a picture with Dan Marino, man. You know that's my guy.
Jackie Slater, Julius Irvin, Dr. J, for always saying "God did it" before he gave an interview. That left an impression on me. All the defensive backs, the ones that baptized me and the ones that I baptized, thank you. I appreciate you. I love you.
(Cheers.)
To the people of the book. My people. I love you. The message is the work is finished. Walk in it. My message to you is: Consent to be loved. Consent to His righteousness. Consent to be awakened. Consent to be restored and unified. It's there for us. It's there for us.
They moved my iPad, but it's from the heart. Got 1 minute, 32 seconds left.
(Laughter.)
I ran a pretty decent 40. I was faster with pads on than I was without pads.
So let's get this. My people, I love you. We've got big plans, plans ahead of us. They are wonderful, they are supernatural, and I can't wait, man. And Father God is fighting this battle for us. We're being driven by Him, by His justice, by His vengeance and His recompense. Yes, it's real. Believe that.
The fishers and the hunters have been released, and as one of those fishers, allow me to announce in our native and primary language (speaking foreign language) bless be who comes in the name of the Lord. Thank you.
(Cheers and applause.)