Isaac Bruce Still a Tiger Through and Through

Isaac Bruce still owns the best season ever for a wide receiver at the University of Memphis.  In 1993, Bruce hauled in 74 passes for 1,054 yards, both school records.  It was the first and only time that a Memphis wide receiver has had over 1,000 yards in a season.  That season convinced the Los Angeles Rams to select him 33rd overall in the 1994 NFL draft.  His first NFL reception was a 34-yard touchdown in the second game of his rookie season.  That reception marked the beginning of Bruce’s assault on the NFL record books.  Below are some of his statistics and their rankings in NFL history.

Bruce amassed 1,586 yards on 113 completions while at Memphis.  He transferred to then Memphis State University in 1992 after attending both West Coast and Santa Monica Junior Colleges.  He played two seasons under Coach Chuck Stobart.  Asked why he chose Memphis, Bruce had this to say:

“I thought as far as the University was concerned it was a top-flight school academically.  Athletically, I felt they had one of the better, tougher football schedules where I could showcase my talents versus good competition.  When I took my visit I felt the people were real genuine.”

While it has been almost 17 years since Bruce played for the Tigers, he still follows the athletic program closely.  He cheered on the basketball team’s run through the 2008 tournament.  He is also closely monitoring the University’s selection of his former teammate, Larry Porter, as head football coach.

“I’m a Tiger through and through.  I’m very proud of what’s happening with Memphis athletics with basketball, and I’m very excited about what’s happening in Tiger Nation in terms of football right now.”

“I think he (Larry Porter) is truly the best man for job right now.  He’s been an anchor in college recruiting for the last five, six, seven years.  You have to look at the number of players he has recruited personally that have gone on to play at a high level in the NFL.  He is a great people-person, great man of God, family man who truly believes in discipline.  It won’t be very long before you see the characteristics of Larry Porter imprinted on this Memphis program.”

Rumors about Coach Porter’s staff have been numerous, including one that has Isaac Bruce as wide receivers coach.  When asked, Bruce made it clear he is only thinking about this season and helping the San Francisco 49ers get to the playoffs.  While hampered recently by an ankle injury, he has helped the team by mentoring rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree.  Crabtree famously held out for the first six games of the season, a move that certainly would not endear a rookie to established veterans.  Yet Bruce has embraced both the talented rookie and his role as mentor.

“Whenever someone gets promoted, or someone gets a new job there is always going to be mentors around.  There are going to be positive mentors and there are going to be negative mentors.  You just have to make sure you pick the positive ones.  When I came into the league, there were guys here to help me as far as being a professional.  Helped me with my route running ability, learning defenses, and learning coverages.  So any time I get the opportunity, be it a first round pick or a rookie free agent, I share my knowledge with those guys because who is to say 10 or 15 years down the road they may be there when my son or one of my nephews are in the NFL trying to learn from them.”

Bruce has been humbled by the longevity of his career and the numbers he has been able to produce.  He has won a Super Bowl, been a four time Pro Bowler, and a four time All-Pro player.  When asked what it means to be a future hall of famer, he had this to say:

“It’s a testament to every coach, every teammate, and every owner that I’ve had in my career.  It’s a testament of God’s faithfulness in my life.  He’s truly been faithful to me.  He’s added the people that need to be around me and he’s detracted those that have been detrimental to my development.  It’s a feat that is good and it is a great standard for the next person coming behind me to overtake me.”

Off the field, Bruce has also exemplified the desired characteristics of a University of Memphis alumnus.  His community service through the Isaac Bruce Foundation (see below) has earned him several awards including the Rams Sprint Good Sport/Man of the Year, Rams True Value Man of the Year and the Carroll Rosenblaum Award.  He graduated in 2003 after taking courses every offseason to complete his degree requirements.  Also in 2003, the University of Memphis retired Bruce’s number 83.     

Extra

Isaac Bruce on the chances of Duke Calhoun and Carlos Singleton playing in the NFL:

“I had a conversation with a couple of pro scouts and they mentioned both of those guys.  They were going to check them out.  They are big bodied guys.  But big bodied guys who can play like a smaller guy.  In the NFL that is at a premium.  I think they will definitely have an opportunity.  They just need to iron out some things.  Just focus on what they’ll be taught here on the next level as far as route-running abilities.  Being able to read a defense and being able to react versus zone and versus man coverages.”

Isaac Bruce Foundation

While Bruce has received several awards for his on the field accomplishments, he has received almost an equal number for his off the field work.  In 1996, he established the Isaac Bruce Foundation which focuses on promoting health, wellness, nutrition, fitness, and education to youths.  The foundation, which is based out of St. Louis, has also taken up the cause of high school drop-out prevention.  Some of the events participated in by the foundation include free football clinics, school visits, fundraisers, and food drops.

“We are in it to educate youths. Not only youth in age, but also youth in knowledge. Living a healthy lifestyle, eating right, and just being healthy altogether.  We’ve done food drops in numerous cities.  We’ve got one coming up this month in the San Francisco area.  We are planning to put one together, hopefully in collaboration with the new head coach there in Memphis.  We just want to get out in the city.”

For more information on events or to donate to the Isaac Bruce Foundation please visit:

http://www.isaacbruce.org/

Tags:

Isaac Bruce, Larry Porter

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