Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys in action against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California in 1995. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

All-time great Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith joined six others who were elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. The NFL’s career rushing leader was joined by career receiving leader Jerry Rice, John Randle, Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Floyd Little and Dick LeBeau. Smith and Rice were named to the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility.

Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys in action during Super Bowl XXX against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona on January 28 1996. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Smith rushed for 18,355 yards and 164 touchdowns during his career with Dallas and Arizona and won an MVP award in the Super Bowl. I had many chances to shoot Smith during his career as the Cowboys made many appearances at Candlestick Park to take on the 49ers in important regular and post-season games during the 1990’s. He always pissed me off because he was so good and the Cowboys always seemed to have the 49ers number. The better day Smith had, the worse day the Niners had.

Running back Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys lies on the ground hurt during the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California in 1995. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

The one big NFC Championship game that the 49ers won over the Cowboys was made possible when Smith got hurt right in front of me and my cameras when I was on assignment for Sports Illustrated in 1995 (see above). The 49ers hung on to win 38-28 on the way to their last Super Bowl win, thanks to Smith’s injury.

Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys in action during a game against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California in 1995. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

The 2010 Hall of Fame class will increase to 260 the number of all-time greats permanently honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Enshrinement of the Class of 2010 will take place in Canton, Ohio on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. ET. I am sure this will be an evening Smith and his six other classmates will never forget.

Jerry Rice of the San Francisco 49ers in action during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California on November 11, 2000. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

San Francisco 49er great Jerry Rice has been named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010 in an announcement made late this afternoon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida according to a Tweet by Matt Maiocco. Maiocco adds that Eddie DeBartolo will introduce Rice at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio in August. Rice joins Russ Grim, John Randle, Rickey Jackson, Emmitt Smith, Dick LeBeau and Floyd Little as the newest former NFL stars to be named to a very exclusive club.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice in action making a touchdown catch during a game against the San Diego Chargers at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California on October 9, 1991. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Rice holds every major receiving record, was chosen first-team All-Pro 10 times, and was a 13-time Pro Bowler during 20 NFL seasons, most of which were spent wearing the red and gold at Candlestick Park. I first had a chance to photograph Rice back in 1986 when I shot a pocket full of Kodak Tri-X black and white film at my first 49er game while I was a photojournalism student at San Jose State University (see below). Back before the NFL uniform police became so over-zealous Rice was very stylish with his uniform and always had a white towel hanging from his waist with “Sweet Rice” written on it.

Jerry Rice of the San Francisco 49ers kneels on the sidelines during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California in 1986. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

The 49ers had a great team in the early 1980’s and were coming off their second Super Bowl win after a great 1984 season when they drafted Rice out of Mississippi Valley State. Most of my early memories of Rice are of him dropping passes in his rookie year as it took him awhile to get acclimated to the pro game.

Jerry Rice of the Oakland Raiders in action making a catch during a game against the New York Jets at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California on January 8, 2002. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Rice ended up settling into his role with the 49ers and benefited from having the chance to catch passes from back-to-back Hall of Fame quarterbacks Joe Montana and Steve Young. By the time his career with the 49ers ended Rice seemed to own almost every big touchdown record in the NFL.

Jerry Rice of the Oakland Raiders watches on the sidelines during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California in 2001. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Many 49er fans were disappointed when Rice left the team after the 2000 season and signed with the Oakland Raiders, but this made Bay Area football fans happy as they were still able to follow their favorite player closely. I was happy to still have the chance to shoot Rice, this time in the silver and black at the Oakland Coliseum. Rice hung on a little to long, playing with the Seahawks after a productive stint in Oakland. Rice went to training camp with the Denver Broncos prior to the 2005 season but retired shortly before the season began.

Jerry Rice Enters Hall of Fame – Images by Brad Mangin

Although many people immediately think of his fine showing on the television show Dancing with the Stars when they hear the name Jerry Rice, I will always look back on the wonderful Hall of Fame career of one of the greatest athletes I have ever photographed. Congrats JR.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana poses for a portrait at his home in Atherton, California on January 12, 2000. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Sometimes when we are busy photographing a truly special athlete or a spectacular team we don’t take the time to stop and really appreciate the greatness in front of our camera lens. Often, many years need to pass before we can truly reflect back on a time and realize how lucky we were to witness an era of greatness. This is how I feel about having the special privilege of photographing Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers during their glory years from 1986 through the mid-90s.

Quarterback Joe Montana of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sidelines during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California in 1986. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

I was a photojournalism student at San Jose State when I got my first chance to photograph the best quarterback ever and his team. For the next few years I continued photographing Joe and the Niners whenever I could during a time when I worked for the Contra Costa Times, The National Sports Daily and The Associated Press.

Even back then, I knew he was a great player and I shot a fair amount of photos of him and the team. Yet in hindsight, I wish I had shot far more of those beautiful chromes of Joe dropping back to pass in the beautiful Candlestick light from corner of the end zone.

It’s easy, now, to look back on my work and say that I wish shot more. But what can I say? I was young.

Quarterback Joe Montana of the San Francisco 49ers signals for a touchdown during Super Bowl XXIV against the Denver Broncos at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana in January of 1990. (Photo by Brad Mangin)