Jerry Rice wasn’t about to ignore a heckler Thursday, as the NFL Hall of Famer charged into the gallery during the American Century Championship after a fan taunted him at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in South Lake Tahoe.
The San Francisco 49ers legend was competing alongside fellow sports stars and celebrities, including Aaron Rodgers, Charles Barkley and Tony Romo.
Rice, 63, was in the middle of his round before eventually finishing 42nd in the 90-player field.
JORDAN SPIETH SAYS GAMBLING IS FUELING ROWDY GOLF CROWDS AND WANTS THE SPORT TO ADDRESS IT SOON
Jerry Rice stands in the third tee box during the first round of the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev., on July 10, 2026. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
Immediately after one of his tee shots, someone in the gallery mockingly yelled, “Fore!”
The NFL Hall of Famer turned toward the gallery, shouting, “Hey! Yo! Hey! Hey!”
WATCH:
Before anyone could react, Rice ducked under the ropes, club in hand, and bolted toward the crowd.
“Which one? Which one?!” Rice demanded as he charged toward the spectators.
Even in golf spikes, he closed the distance with the burst that made him one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history.
A nearby fan ratted out the suspected culprit, yelling, “Green and blue!” Rice closed in eventually and the heckler wasn’t as cavalier.
FORMER COWBOYS QB TONY ROMO FALLS SHORT IN US OPEN GOLF QUALIFYING BID
The situation cooled, and Rice returned to the tee box to applause from spectators.
Jerry Rice plays his shot from the 15th tee box during the first round of the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev., on July 10, 2026. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
It wasn’t Rice’s first heated moment at Edgewood Tahoe. During last year’s American Century Championship, Rice snapped at reporters after interpreting questions about the Kansas City Chiefs as digs at his beloved 49ers.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE APP
One fan on Thursday summed it up perfectly: “Don’t poke the bear!”
Annika Sorenstam and Jerry Rice laugh during the first round of the American Century Championship on July 10, 2026, at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Tahoe, Nev. (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Send us your thoughts: [email protected] / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela
