Andre Rison was also named the greatest wide receiver of all time. In a magical place called AndreRisonLand.
Rison, in an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, declared himself wonderful and magnificent in every way. He had this to say about his legacy:
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"Best receiver to ever play the game. I cant show my highlights because I dont own NFL Films, but all my coaches in college, in high school, in junior college, they all told me I could be the best. But they mustve lied because that title was already given to Jerry Rice(notes). Just because you have stats doesnt mean youre the best. Cant nobody tell me that Andre Reed isnt better than Jerry Rice. Im seeing cornerbacks on the 75th anniversary team that I used to demolish. But Im coming out with my own hall of fame."
It's a good thing, because the Hall of Fame he opens will be the only Hall of Fame Andre Rison ever gets into without buying a ticket. That is, unless there's some kind of "Guys Who Think They Were Way Better Than They Actually Were" Hall of Fame that has previously inducted Freddie Mitchell, Matthew McConaughey and Sergio Garcia.
I actually don't intend any disrespect toward Andre Rison, as in the grand scheme of things, I feel like he's probably underrated. He's in the top 30 all-time in receiving yards, which puts him ahead of Hall of Famers Raymond Berry, Charley Taylor and Fred Biletnikoff. When he was in his prime with Atlanta, he was extremely productive and dangerous. When the Falcons let him go, though, he bounced around never really got comfortable anywhere else, outside of one good year in Kansas City.
But the best of all-time? Come on now, Andre. I understand if a guy wants to believe he's the best in the game when he's playing, because it's important to have an ego and unwavering confidence in your own game.
To be clinging to that belief, though, when he's been retired for eight years? That's slightly delusional, and it makes me feel like his book will not be completely honest.