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The Three Moments that Cement Isaac Bruce's Hall of Fame Candidacy

For the third straight year, Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams wide receiver Isaac Bruce has been named a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist. His teammate, Kurt Warner, got the nod over him in 2017 while other All-Pro receivers Randy Moss and Terrell Owens were enshrined last year. Receivers has been a logjam position when it comes to the Hall of Fame, from Art Monk, to Andre Reed, and to Cris Carter, Bruce has been no exception.

Much of Bruce's case for enshrinement has to do with his involvement on perhaps the most prolific offense in NFL history, the Greatest Show on Turf, which light up St. Louis from 1999 to 2001 amassing over 500 points scored each season. In those three seasons, Bruce caught 228 passes for over 3,700 yards and 27 touchdowns, while being named a Pro Bowler each year.

Bruce's historical stats are another big reason in his case for enshrinement. Bruce is fifth all-time in receiving yards, trailing only Jerry Rice, Larry Fitzgerald, Terrell Owens, and Randy Moss. Three are already in the Hall while Fitzgerald will get in on his first try. He is also only one of fourteen receivers ever to eclipse 1,000 career receptions. And again, his major role in a record-setting offense that was ahead of its time. But stats don't tell the entire story, especially not for Isaac Bruce.

For most Hall of Fame candidates, there needs to be a signature moment, a play that galvanized the team or sends the crowd into a frenzy. Well I'd argue that Bruce had three signature moments, all occurring in the Rams Super Bowl season of 1999. These moments are the stuff of legend, yet have been overlooked when it comes to his 'Hall of Fame Resume."

1) Four Touchdowns Against the 49ers

The Rams, behind Kurt Warner, surprised the NFL by jumping out to a 3-0 start and averaging 33 points per game. Their moment of truth came in Week 5 against San Francisco in the Dome. Were the Rams legit or still the "same old sorry ass Rams?" The Rams had not beaten the 49ers in nine years, dating back to November 1990. San Francisco won 17 straight against the Rams by a combined total of 320 points (18 points per game). Isaac Bruce, now in his fifth season, had never beaten the 49ers. In the team's first season in St. Louis, the Rams were 5-1 before being pummeled by San Fran at Busch Stadium 44-10. Those Rams would win just two more games the rest of the season. Fast forward to the 3-0 '99 Rams and the same questions still lingered. Are these the "same old sorry ass Rams" of old? Isaac Bruce decided enough was enough.

Bruce exploded with four touchdowns on the day with three coming in the first quarter. He scored less than five minutes into the game, then again three minutes later. Rams up 14-0 after just eight minutes into the game. Ike scored again with a minute left in the first quarter to give the Rams a 21-3 lead. Cameras cut to Bruce on the sideline completely overcome with emotion. This game means so much for him and all the years of frustration for the Rams playing against San Francisco. In the fourth quarter, Bruce put the nail in the coffin by scoring his fourth touchdown of the day, giving the Rams a 42-20 lead, the final score. With that game, the Rams gained the confidence that this year was different, that they were a force to be reckoned with, and they were no longer the "same old sorry ass Rams."

2) The Greatest Show on Turf's Opening Act of the Playoffs Goes for Six

The Rams were finally back in the playoffs, a decade after its last appearance in 1989. The team came out of nowhere to finish 13-3 and claim the top seed in the NFC. St. Louis was ready to host its first ever NFL playoff game. Would the Rams high-powered offense show up in the playoffs? Well it didn't take long for Bruce to show that the Rams were no joke.

The Dome erupted. 73 yards for the score on the opening play. Oh yeah, and Bruce later revealed he made that play on apulled hamstring. The Rams offense exploded for 49 points, showing everyone that they truly were a great offense.

3) The Game-Winning Touchdown of the Super Bowl

The defining play of Super Bowl XXXIV was the last. Mike Jones' tackle of Kevin Dyson at the one-yard line won the Rams its first ever Super Bowl. "The Tackle" was made with the Rams protecting a 23-16 lead, but Bruce was the one who gave them that lead.

The Rams were up 16-0 five minutes into the third quarter but then Steve McNair, Eddie George, and the Titans went on a run, scoring 16 straight that left the Rams searching for answers as George tied the game with two minutes left in the game.

Dick Vermeil told his offense that "you couldn't ask for a better script" and that it was their game to win. On the first play of the drive, Warner dropped back to pass before stepping up to launch a pass deep down the right sideline. As he was releasing the ball, he was clobbered by Jevon Kearse, leaving the ball short of its original trajectory. Isaac adjusted his route thirty+ yards down the field to come back to the ball in front of Titans corner Denard Walker and catch it. Ike then runs around safety Anthony Dorsett and races the remaining forty yards to give the Rams back the lead that propels them to a title.

Here's to hoping that 2019 is finally the year Isaac Bruce will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.