Mississippi Valley State’s Public Alert For 49ers Legend Jerry Rice as Terrell Buckley Confirms Stance on Legendary Alumni

Before Jerry Rice became a 3-time Super Bowl Champion and arguably the greatest wide receiver to ever play in the NFL. He was already a legend back in Mississippi Valley State. Having played under head coach Archie “The Gunslinger” Cooley, Mississippi experienced one of its most successful eras with Rice in the 1980s. An offense that featured five receiver sets and no-huddle, the Delta Devils were at the peak of their powers in those days. Jerry Rice and Willie Totten, famously nicknamed “The Satellite Express,” combined for numerous NCAA records in passing and receiving. But since those days, the Mississippi Valley have fallen off the grid. So, to get them where they previously belonged at the top, the Delta Devils brought in Terrell Buckley. And he seems to have a thing or two to say about Mississippi’s legendary hero Rice.

Just two years ago, Rice was openly critical of his alma mater’s dire condition. “They’re lacking a lot. And there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done. I think because we’re getting great coaches in these HBCUs now, the money, the field conditions, the environment, everything is going to get much better,” Rice revealed. So, to usher in a new era, the Delta Devils brought a Mississippi native, Terrell Buckley, as their 19th head coach this season.

Buckley, a former Super Bowl Champion corner, comes with a wealth of coaching experience. His time on the sidelines spans from Florida State, Mississippi Bulldogs, Ole Miss and now Mississippi Valley. This would be his second head coaching gig after serving as the Orlando Guardians head coach in the XFL. Throughout his time as a coach, Buckley has been constantly lauded for developing young talents and his leadership. And now he is tasked with changing a program’s fortunes that has lost its past glory.

Having taken this challenge to turn around a program that once boasted Jerry Rice. Buckley was asked on the Jim Rome Podcast why he hasn’t contacted Rice yet. What’s the reason behind not calling undoubtedly the greatest Mississippi Valley alum yet? “You know, it’s one thing you don’t do to, in my opinion, to the greatest. And Jerry Rice in my book, is the greatest football player ever. You don’t call Jerry. You don’t call the goat. The goat calls you,” Buckley told Rome. He also went on to issue a public alert about the chances of Rice coming down to the Mississippi Valley soon.

“You don’t call Jerry, you don’t call the GOAT. The GOAT calls you.”@27TBuck on why he hasn’t reached out to @ValleyStateFB legend Jerry Rice since taking over the program. pic.twitter.com/PhYHNqUTkC

— Jim Rome (@jimrome) April 19, 2025

“So whenever Jerry is ready, the door is wide open and I will be waiting. We change, you change schedules when the goat calls,” Buckley added. Until then, it will be all Buckley trying to reinstall excellence, discipline, and renewed focus in recruiting top-tier talent like Rice. Honestly, they may not get another play like Jerry, who Coach Buckley believes is the GOAT.

Jerry Rice given GOAT status by the new Mississippi Valley head coach, Terrell Buckley

Words might fail to describe the achievements Jerry Rice had as a football player. A first ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer. A member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. And of those honors show how the massive impact Rice had everywhere he played. A 13-time Pro Bowler, a 10-time First-Team All-Pro, you might need another lifetime to read through all of Rice’s accomplishments. So, when Rome asked why Buckley believes Rice is the GOAT. He didn’t read his records or his achievements on the gridiron.

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 26: Former San Francisco 49ers Jerry Rice is seen in attendance during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Instead, his reason was simple: “His preparation in the offseason was second to none. His attitude was second to none. And when you put, combine those things, what you get is a GOAT.” Buckley wanted to point out Rice’s incredible determination to keep putting in the hours on the field.

Whether it’s the offseason when players usually want to relax, or the attitude that sometimes becomes uncontrollable. Rice knew how to keep all of those traits intact. And that resulted in him becoming the GOAT not only in Buckley’s eyes but also in the whole football realm. You probably won’t find another player like Jerry Rice, at least in this lifetime. 

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