INDIANAPOLIS – In many instances, the bar has been set ridiculously high.
In a few, it’s been reinforced with a bronze bust in Canton, Ohio.
As 300-plus players deal with their most important job interview this week – the NFL Scouting Combine – a few are more recognizable than the rest because of family ties.
*Marvin Harrison Jr.
*Frank Gore Jr.
*Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
*Brenden Rice.
The latter is the son of Jerry Rice. You’ve heard of him, right?
Each individual earned his Combine invitation on his own merits, not because of his father’s clout.
Marvin Jr. is in line to be the first non-quarterback selected in the April 25 draft on the strength of 2,613 yards and 31 touchdowns in 29 games at Ohio State, not because his dad is the most prolific receiver in Indianapolis Colts’ history and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2016.
Frank Jr. has a future in the NFL after piling up 4,022 yards and 26 touchdowns at Southern Mississippi, and not because only Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton rushed for more yards in league history than his father’s 16,000.
Brenden Rice? He’ll get an opportunity to prove himself at the highest level after three workmanlike years at USC and Colorado, and not because his father is the greatest receiver in the history of the planet and has a forever place in Canton.
Each step Brenden has taken on his athletic journey has been steered by his dad’s advice.
You’ve got a last name, so you’re got a target on your back.
“He always said . . . ‘Make sure you stay in the moment and don’t make the moment too big. Don’t overthink it and you’ll be just fine,’’’ Brenden said Friday.
The bar set by Jerry Rice during his 20-year NFL career is otherworldly: 1,549 receptions, 22,895 yards, 197 touchdowns.
Brenden had 1,030 yards and nine TDs in 31 collegiate games. That’s a subpar season for his dad.
“The standard is ridiculous,’’ Brenden said.
But while he’ll never approach his dad’s legacy, he’ll nonetheless follow the same blueprint.
“It’s just a blessing to have that last name Rice and know that people expect so much from you,’’ Brenden said. “I was able to take the work ethic from him and each day-in and day-out I’ve got to put my best foot forward. I’m grinding toward something different which separates me in this class of receivers. No matter what position I’m drafted in or where I’m going to go, they’re going to be a dog.’’
Frank Gore Jr. is similarly driven.
“I’m not gonna shy away from my name,’’ he said. “I am who I am. It’s a blessing to have his name, so I want to say I’m happy to have his name. He had his name; he made it what it is. So now I have the responsibility to take it personally.’’
Frank Jr. insisted his father has helped him “weather the storm, helping me know what to look for, what not to look for. He’s been there every step of the way. He’s definitely had my back through every step. He’s just helping me become a pro.’’
Father and son are sharing the Combine experience. Gore is part of the San Francisco 49ers scouting department as a football personnel advisor.
“I’ve seen him in the hallway a few times,’’ Frank Jr. said. “We’ve talked a few times. We’ll probably get together after (Saturday).’’
Gore was the embodiment of reliability and productivity during a 16-year career that included three with the Colts. He appeared in 241 games – he missed only five games over his final nine seasons – and wore down defenses with 3,735 carries and 16,000 yards. He cracked the 1,000-yard barrier nine times.
He’ll be eligible to join Rice and Harrison in the Hall of Fame in two years.
Frank Jr. is chasing his dad.
“I’m gonna set a higher bar for Frank Gore,’’ he said with a smile. “I’m going to put (my) name on that map, too. I embrace the pressure.’’
While Brenden Rice and Frank Gore Jr. used Friday’s opportunity to discuss their father’s decorated NFL careers and how it’s impacted them, that wasn’t the case with Marvin Jr.
The Ohio State standout wideout was a no-show for his scheduled 8:20 a.m. session with the media. There was no official reason provided by the NFL.
Former Buckeye receiver and Hall of Famer Cris Carter posted on social media that Marvin Jr.’s absence was due to a medical obligation.
“Marvin Harrison Jr. is currently with the medical people getting a body scan. Relax,’’ he posted.
Other players also had a medical test interfere with their interview session but were made available to the media at a later time. As of late Friday, that wasn’t the case with Marvin Jr.
In an interview with IndyStar during Ohio State’s Pro Day in Columbus last April, father and son addressed their family/football relationship.
As a youngster, Marvin Jr. occasionally attended his dad’s games with the Colts. He also was on hand in November 2011 when Harrison was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor at Lucas Oil Stadium and has accompanied him to similar ceremonies for other Colts.
In 13 seasons, Harrison set a standard for his son to chase: 1,102 receptions, 14,580 yards, 128 TDs, and a bronze bust in Canton.
“He’s taught me pretty much everything I know ‒ more so the mentality of the game and how to approach the game,’’ Marvin Jr. told IndyStar. “I try to work as hard as he did. He obviously set the bar very high, and I have big shoes to fill, but I'm trying to get there.’’
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.
