National Football League

Decrier of Deflategate Jerry Rice admits to using Stickum on hands

Published Feb. 6, 2015 3:45 p.m. ET

Sid Saraf

Well, this is uncomfortable.

San Francisco 49ers legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice was in the news lately, as he took a strong stance in the New England Patriots' Deflategate controversy.

"I'm going to be point blank, I feel like it's cheating . . ." Rice told radio host Jim Rome on Jan. 22. " . . . because you have an edge up on your opponent and it's unfortunate that it happened. I'm not saying the outcome of the game would have been different or anything like that because they (the Indianapolis Colts) got beat 45-7 (in the AFC title game), but they (Patriots) still had an edge."

He later added: "I've played in cold weather, I know how hard the football is and you can grip the leather (if deflated) just a little bit better."

OK, no problem. Rice was known as the epitome of class during his playing days. His words carry a lot of weight.

But . . . in an interview with ESPN that aired on Jan. 17, Rice admitted something amazing. He sprayed stickum on his gloves.

"I know this might be a little illegal, guys, but you put a little spray, a little stickum on the them, to make sure that texture is a little sticky," Rice said.

Here can watch the video right here.

While Rice might think it's a big joke, Stickum was outlawed back in 1981 (known as the "Lester Hayes rule" for the former Oakland Raiders CB notorious for abuse) and gloves were eventually introduced into the game. Now, here we have Rice admitted to wearing gloves and then adding Stickum to them.

Does that mean Rice wouldn't have been the elite receiver he was without Stickum? Nope. Does that still make him a cheater?

Well . . .

(H/T to Pro Football Talk)