Isaac Bruce

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=San Francisco 49ers
currentnumber=88
currentposition=Wide receiver
birthdate=birth date and age|1972|11|10
birthplace=Fort Lauderdale, Florida
heightft=6
heightin=0
weight=188
debutyear=1994
debutteam=Los Angeles Rams
college=Memphis
draftyear=1994
draftround=2
draftpick=33
pastteams=
* Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams (1994-2007)
* San Francisco 49ers (2008-present)
status=Active
highlights=
* 3x All-Pro selection (1995, 1996, 1999)
* 4x Pro Bowl selection (1996, 1999, 2000, 2001)
* Super Bowl champion (XXXIV)
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Receptions
statvalue1=956
statlabel2=Receiving Yards
statvalue2=14,384
statlabel3=Receiving TDs
statvalue3=88
nfl=BRU085284

Isaac Isidore Bruce (born November 10 1972 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida) is an American football wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft. He played college football at Memphis.

A three-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection, Bruce has amassed over 14,000 receiving yards in his career (third all-time). He played the first 14 years with the Rams and won a Super Bowl ring with the team in Super Bowl XXXIV.

Bruce, known as "Ike", was one of the most popular players on the St. Louis Rams. During player introductions and after big plays, it was custom for Rams fans to yell "Bruuuuuuce". To the uninitiated fan, it may sound like he is being booed.

Early years

Bruce attended Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale. As a senior, he caught 39 passes for 644 yards (16.5 yards per rec. avg.), was an All-City selection, and led his team to the 1989 Florida State 5-A Championship.

College career

Bruce went to West Los Angeles College, then to Santa Monica College before transferring to the University of Memphis in 1992, where he finished his college football career with 113 receptions for 1,586 yards (14.0 yards per rec. avg.) and 15 touchdowns. He earned a degree in physical education.

Professional career

Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams

Bruce was drafted in the 2nd round (33rd overall) by the Los Angeles Rams. He signed a 3-year $1.75 million contract with the Rams on July 14, 1994. Earned 1994 Carroll Rosenbloom Award, given to team rookie of the year. He was also voted Rams Rookie of the Year by Orange County Sports Association and Southern California Sports Broadcasters Association. His first NFL reception was 34-yard touchdown from Chris Miller at Atlanta on September 11, 1994.

He moved with the team to St. Louis in 1995. In 1995 Bruce was the NFC Special Teams player of the Week for week one in 1995 for blocking a punt that aided in a Ram win. He was the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for week 6 following a 10-catch, 191 yard, 2 TD performance. His 1995 season was one of best ever season by a Rams’ receiver and second greatest receiving season in NFL history with 1,781 yards on 119 catches. He trailed only San Francisco’s Jerry Rice (1,848) after breaking former Houston Oilers WR Charley Hennigan ’s 34-year-old record of 1,746 set in 1961. His 119 catches ranked fifth on the NFL’s all-time single-season reception list. Bruce also broke four Rams’ records, including most receiving yards, most receptions, most consecutive 100-yard receiving games (6) and most 100-yard games (9). Bruce made USA Today’s All-Joe team, All-Madden, and All-Pro by Sports Illustrated and he was voted a first alternate to the Pro Bowl. He was also voted the Ram's MVP.

In 1996 Bruce led team with 84 receptions and led NFL with 1,338 yards. He became first Rams receiver since Henry Ellard in 1990 and 1991 to post back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Against the Baltimore Ravens on October 27, 1996, he caught 11 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown. On November 30, 1996, Bruce earned a contract extension and was re-signed by the Rams to a 4-year $12.1 million deal. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 28, 1996] . Bruce was voted to his first Pro Bowl after the season after being an alternate the season before.

The following seasons Bruce was hampered by hamstring injuries. In 1997 he injured he almost all of the first six games and in 1998 he missed the final nine games (he also missed two other games earlier in the season). In Atlanta on November 2, 1997, Bruce had another 200-yard game, totalling 10 catches, 233 yards and recording 2 touchdowns. Prior to his injury in 1998 in a home game against the Minnesota Vikings, Bruce had 11 catches for 192 yards and an 80-yard touchdown.

In 1999 Bruce was a First-team All-Pro and was voted to his second Pro Bowl. He caught 77 balls for 1,165 yards for 12 touchdowns as Rams had a 13-3 record and advanced to the Super Bowl. He also led Rams in receiving yards inplayoffs, with 317 yards on 13 catches with team-high two touchdowns. Bruce caught Kurt Warner's 73 yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XXXIV to give the Rams a 23-16 lead, which turned out to be the game winner.

Prior to the 2000 season Bruce was re-signed by the Rams for a 7-year, $42 million contract extension. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, August 17, 1996] Bruce was again a Pro Bowler and caught 87 passes for 1,471 yards and 9 touchdowns. He became first Rams receiver to earn back-to-back Pro Bowl invitations since Henry Ellard accomplished the feat following 1988-1989 seasons. Bruce led or tied for team lead in receptions six times and led team in receiving yards six time and posted four 100-yard receiving games. Bruce and teammate Torry Holt became only the second WR duo from the same team to each gain over 1400 yards in the same season for the St Louis Rams (see Herman Moore and Brett Perriman).

In 2001 the Rams returned to the Super Bowl, losing to the New England Patriots, and Bruce made the Pro Bowl for the fourth time becoming third receiver in team history to earn three consecutive Pro Bowl invitations (Elroy Hirsch 1951-53, Jim Phillips 1960-62). Bruce was voted offensive captain and became franchise career leader in 100-yard receiving games (29), 1,000-yard seasons (5), and receiving touchdowns (56). He became just second player in team history to post 500 career receptions vs. New York Giants on October 14, 2001. He caught five passes for 56 yards against New England in Super Bowl XXXVI.

Became Rams’ all-time leader in receptions in 2002 while posting fourth consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season. He led team with seven touchdown receptions. He ended season with 79 receptions for 1,075 yards to go with his 7 TD receptions.

In 2003 Bruce missed the 1,000 mark for the first time since 1998, finishing with 69 catches for 981 yards and 5 touchdowns. Became Rams’ all-time leader in receiving yards (10,461), passing his position coach Henry Ellard (9,761).Bruce made seven receptions for 116 yards in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game vs. Carolina on January 10, 2004, making him the only Rams player to have four career 100-yard postseason performances, breaking a tie with Tom Fears.

The following season, 2004, Bruce caught 89 passes (fifth in the NFC, eighth in the NFL) for 1,292 yards (fifthin the NFL. He started season with four consecutive 100-yard receiving performances, first player to accomplish the feat since Houston’s Charley Hennigan in 1963. Bruce nabbed a team-high nine catches for 170 yards and one touchdown at Green Bay on November 29, 2004.

A foot injury hampered Bruce in 2005, causing him to miss 5 games. Still, he caught 800th career pass at Minnesota on December 11, 2005, becoming the 14th player in NFL history with 800 career receptions.

On March 7, 2006, the Rams released Bruce rather than pay him a $1.5 million bonus [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/08/sports/football/08guarantee.html?pagewanted=print New York Times.com] ] However, five days after releasing him, the Rams agreed to a three-year, $15 million deal with Bruce. The re-signing freed a reported $7.5 million in cap money for the Rams. [ [http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060311/news_1s11nflnotes.html San Diego Union.com] ] That season Bruce started 15 of 16 games and notched his eighth career 1,000-yard receiving season with 1,098 yards on 74 catches with three touchdowns. In 2007 Bruce caught 55 passes for 733 yards and 4 touchdowns and was second the club in all three categories (second to Torry Holt).

On February 28, 2008, Bruce was released by the team after refusing to take a pay cut, which the Rams promised they would not do in a previous contract renegotiation. [Citation |last=Fallstrom |first=R.B. |title=Rams Release Isaac Bruce, Gus Frerotte |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j6mh_OhONynhu_1kQtFgtcIgLXGAD8V3KEQ01 |publisher="Associated Press" |date=2008-02-29 |accessdate=2008-03-01]

an Francisco 49ers

On February 29, 2008, he signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers. [Citation |last=Gay |first=Nancy |title=49ers, Bruce agree on deal Ex-Rams receiver to join Martz in San Francisco |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/01/SPMOVBJN6.DTL |publisher="San Francisco Chronicle" |date=2008-03-01 |accessdate=2008-03-01] Jerry Rice gave Bruce permission to wear his No. 80, however Bruce and the team decided against it. He eventually chose to wear No. 88.

Accomplishments

*2007 - Achieved 14,109 receiving yards and 942 receptions, putting him at 6th place for all-time receptions and 3rd for total yardage. He is also 13th all time in receiving touchdowns with 84. He is the most prolific receiver in Rams history in every category.
*2001 - Named to play in Pro Bowl (did not play - injured)
*2000 - Named to play in Pro Bowl (did not play - injured)
*1999 - Super Bowl XXXIV
*1999 - Named to play in Pro Bowl
*1996 - Named to play in Pro Bowl
*1995 - Recorded 119 receptions. The most ever in NFL history by a player 25 and under, voted a Pro Bowl alternate
*1994 - Rams consensus Rookie of the Year

Personal

*He's nicknamed "The Reverend" because he wishes to become one after he finishes his football career. He also wants to become a substitute teacher.
*Bruce is the elder cousin of Canadian Football League wide receiver Arland Bruce.
*Was 1998 Rams Sprint Good Sport/Man of the Year and 1997 Rams True Value Man of the Year, recognizing his sportsmanship and community involvement.
*Rams’ Man of the Year in 1997 and 1998.
*Since 1996 has provided tickets to home games to various schools and youth organizations.
*Partners with Haz-Waste to provide jerseys and limousine rides for children.
*Was United Way spokesman in 1996-97 and United Way African American Leadership Giver 1997-99.
*In 2003 he received Sports Personality of the Year Award from the Missouri Athletic Club at the annual Jack Buck Sports Award Banquet.
*Won 2006 National Sportsmanship Award.

References

External links

* [http://www.isaacbruce.org/ The Issac Bruce Foundation]
* [http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/players/Isaac_Bruce/1419 Bruce's blog at Yardbarker.com]
* [http://sf49ers.com/team/roster_detail.php?PRKey=175&section=TE%20Roster San Francisco 49ers bio]