CANTON, Ohio — Former University of Memphis star Isaac Bruce said he baptized defensive backs left in his wake and prayed an unnamed doubter would live to see him enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Faith was a big part of Bruce’s enshrinement speech, both in sincere gratitude and humorous vindication. The latter drew one of the biggest reactions of the night from the crowd of 18,383 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
“To the nameless voice that called me two weeks before the draft in 1994 that let me know that the NFL … didn’t like me. They liked NFL legends Bert Emanuel and Ryan Yarborough,” Bruce said. “I know you’re alive. I know you’re listening. I prayed to God to keep you alive for this day.
“So my message to you is (that) rap legend Kool Moe Dee wantsme to ask you, 'How Ya Like Me Now?'"
That sharp line brought the Bruce contingent – which included his 14 brothers and sisters — to their feet.
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Bruce made his name in Memphis
Bruce, the first Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee for the Memphis Tigers, had already proved to be a prime NFL prospect when he got that phone call. After spending two years in junior college, he recorded the first 1,000-yard receiving season in Memphis history in 1993.
Bruce remains one of six players to have his number retired in Memphis football history.
But it’s obvious the soft-spoken Bruce was motivated by that pre-draft phone call throughout his career, and it paid off.
Bruce retired as the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams’ all-time leader in catches, receiving yards and yards from scrimmage. His 15,208 yards receiving ranks fifth in NFL history behind Jerry Rice, Larry Fitzgerald, Terrell Owens and Randy Moss.
He made four Pro Bowls, recorded eight 1,000-yard seasons and won a Super Bowl ring.
Who are the names behind Bruce’s story?
But who was he talking about in the speech? Well, Bruce didn’t reveal who called him. But the two players — sarcastically referred to as “NFL legends” — were wide receivers compared to him in that draft class.
Yarborough, from Wyoming, was drafted with the 41st pick by the Jets. He played four NFL seasons and made 44 receptions. By comparison, Bruce made at least 50 catches in 12 different seasons.
Emanuel, from Rice, was drafted with the 45th pick by the Falcons. He had a solid NFL career, making 351 receptions in eight seasons. Bruce had 1,024 receptions, ranked 13th in NFL history.
Coincidentally, one Emanuel catch, then with the Bucs, was ruled incomplete in a controversial call in the 1999 NFC Championship game. It paved the way for the Rams to reach Super Bowl XXXIV, where they beat the Titans on a late touchdown catch by Bruce.
Bruce was drafted ahead of Yarborough and Emanuel, going No. 33 to the Rams. Five other wideouts went ahead of him in that 1994 draft, but none had careers like Bruce. On Saturday, he became the 22nd wide receiver inducted into Canton.
“To all the defensive backs — the ones that baptized me and ones that I baptized — I appreciate you,” Bruce said.
Bruce is in the 12-person class of 2020, including Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, Colts running back Edgerrin James, Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson and Steelers coach Bill Cowher. Their enshrinement last year was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Peyton Manning leads the 2021 class, which will be enshrined Sunday.
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Bruce thanks ‘one of the best cities in America’
Like all inductees, Bruce recognized several people and places that had an impact on his life.
Bruce mentioned hometown Fort Lauderdale, Dillard High School, Santa Monica City College and, of course, Memphis — by its previous and current names.
“University of Memphis, aka Memphis State,” Bruce said. “And (former Memphis assistant coach) Randy Fichtner for recruiting me and giving me a scholarship to one of the best cities in America — Memphis, that is.”
Bruce will be honored Sept. 18 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium for his induction when the Tigers host Mississippi State.
Reach Adam Sparks at asparks@gannett.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.
