Isaac Bruce Has Found His Forever Home-In Canton, Ohio

I say the greatest show on turf, you think what? Best offense ever? Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Orlando Pace, Torry Holt, Ricky Proehl, and of course Isaac Bruce.

Bruce was the *chef’s kiss* of the receiver corps, and after being a finalist for several years he has finally reached the ultimate hallowed ground in professional sports-the hall of fame (HOF).

Bruce’s stat lines certainly were not lacking so it was a little curious he had to wait as long as he did. Drafted in the second round of the 1994 draft by the Los Angeles Rams (Triggered St. Louis fans have entered the chat) Isaac Bruce would play 16 seasons, 14 of which were with the Rams. That number alone should have gotten him into the HOF.

OK, I am being a little facetious here but playing 16 seasons in the NFL at wide receiver is pretty damn impressive. Remember this was before the NFL neutered defenses with all the touchy penalties we see now. Bruce was still playing during an era where if you came across the middle of your QB left a ball a little high, you were getting absolutely clocked by a linebacker or roaming safety.

Bruce finished with 1,042 catches, 15,208 yards, and 91 TDs. Those numbers put him 13th all-time in catches, and 5th all-time in reception yards. Someone should tell the HOF voters the NFL just finished its 100th season, so finishing that high all-time in anything is very impressive.

Bruce certainly wanted to let the establishment know his frustration with his wait for enshrinement. On the day of his notification into the hall CEO and President of the NFL HOF Mr. David Baker came to Bruce’s hotel room for the customary knock on his door to welcome him into the hall.

Instead of running to the door to answer the call Bruce played the perfect petty card, saying “I wanted Mr. Baker to wait just a little while, I wanted him to knock two rounds of knocks, just to let him feel what I’ve been feeling the last couple years.” Love that. This is the petty level I am striving for.

Bruce’s career-defining moment came on the biggest stage of them all.

In Super Bowl XXXIV against the Titans, Bruce caught the game-winning TD from Kurt Warner, a 73-yard strike which gave the Rams a seven point lead they held all the way until the end, giving the Rams the title of Super Bowl champions.

While he might not have ever been the greatest receiver in the NFL at any given time, never having been elected as a first-team all-pro, he still made the Pro Bowl four times, topped 1,000 yards eight times, and led the NFL in yards in 1996 with 1,338. He will also have the distinction of being the only Hall of Famer drafted out of the University of Memphis.

The story of the NFL cannot be told without mentioning the greatest show on turf, and most certainly the history of the Rams cannot be told without talking about the greatness that was Isaac Bruce.

Featured Image: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images