You'll never guess what NFL legend lost his cool in a big way at the celebrity golf tourney in Tahoe.
Legendary wideout Jerry Rice apparently ran into some struggles with the yakkernati out on the course during the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe. NFL legend Jerry Rice got into a heated confrontation with reporters on Thursday, threatening physical harm after taking offense to a question.
We have sat on this video for a day as we wanted absolutely no negative publicity for Jerry Rice or the tournament but this TMZ story has now come to light and we feel the need to set the record straight on what took place.
— Starcade Media (@StarcadeMediaKC) July 12, 2024
We meant absolutely no disrespect to Jerry or the… pic.twitter.com/EJ7OB6QZY5
Now usually that's pretty vanilla celeb golf content, but something set Uncle Jerry OFF. Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice confronted two reporters on the golf course at the American Century Championship in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada on Thursday. According to video obtained by TMZ Sports, Rice got in one of the reporters' faces and said "I will f*** you up." Rice also said "If you want some, come get some" as security separated the two sides.
The reporters, who work for media company Starcade Media, said they merely asked Rice a question about the Kansas City Chiefs' receiving corps and whether it was good enough to win another Super Bowl. One of the reporters told a spectator afterwards that Rice seemed to take the question as a shot against his former team, the San Francisco 49ers, whom the Chiefs defeated in last season's Super Bowl.
But here's the wildest part - the reporters claim they barely said anything to provoke that kind of reaction! They said there was no smirking or disrespect as Rice had perceived.
That seemed pretty tame to me! But Rice told TMZ afterwards that he took it as a sly dig at his former squad the Niners who just lost the Big Game to KC. He says the guys had "smirks on their faces" like they were tryna get under his skin. Hmm, maybe a lil sizzurp on the course bubbled Rice over the edge!
Jerry Rice lost it on two reporters on the golf course at the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe on Thursday.
— michael j. babcock (@mikejbabcock) July 12, 2024
The reporters asked whether the Chiefs receiving core was good enough to win a Super Bowl. 61-year-old Rice got in one of the men's faces and said, "I will f***… pic.twitter.com/7BIBk2Yq5U
The video does not clearly show the lead-up or full context of the exchange between Rice and the reporters. Rice's outburst was uncharacteristic given his mostly positive public persona developed over his NFL career and time as a broadcaster since retiring. The incident casts an uneasy spotlight on Rice at the celebrity amateur tournament.
Rice was one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history over his 20-year career, primarily with the San Francisco 49ers. But his threatening confrontation with reporters at the golf tournament raises questions about what exactly prompted his explosive reaction.
One thing's for sure - this is one celebrity tourney tantrum that'll be remembered for awhile. You'd think a cool customer like Rice could keep his head out there! But I guess even the greats can lose it when they think they're being disrespected. Spicy stuff for sure - you never know what drama will unfold out on those manicured fairways!