The American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada, witnessed an unexpected drama involving NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.
During the event, Rice confronted two reporters, eventually threatening violence against them. This altercation stemmed from a seemingly harmless question about the Kansas City Chiefs’ receiving corps and their chances of winning another Super Bowl.
The incident was captured on video by TMZ Sports, showing Rice angrily telling one reporter, “I will f*** you up.” Security intervened as Rice continued to provoke the reporters, saying, “If you want some, come get some.” The reporters, from Starcade Media, were visibly shocked by Rice’s reaction, insisting they had asked nothing provocative.
According to one of the reporters, they merely inquired if the Chiefs’ receiving group, which finished seventh in the NFL with 4,383 receiving yards last season, was capable of securing another Super Bowl victory. This question did not sit well with Rice, who perceived it as a slight against his former team, the San Francisco 49ers, who were defeated by the Chiefs in the last Super Bowl. Rice also mentioned that the reporters’ smirks suggested they were attempting to provoke him.
Following the incident, Starcade Media released a statement clarifying their intent, asserting they meant no disrespect and did not attempt to provoke Rice. They also denied having any smirks, which Rice had mentioned. This altercation has brought varying accounts of the event, with both sides maintaining their versions of the story.
The Chiefs’ receiving corps has been bolstered by new additions like free agent Marquise Brown and rookie Xavier Worthy, alongside existing players like Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce. Despite these developments, Jerry Rice’s heated reaction has cast a shadow over the golf tournament, sparking a broader conversation about media interactions with athletes.
