Randy Moss

The Un-Human Wide Receiver

Few players in NFL history have dominated defenses as effortlessly as Randy Moss. A Pro Football Hall of Famer, six-time Pro Bowler, and one of the most electrifying deep threats ever, Moss changed how the game was played with his unparalleled speed, leaping ability, and natural talent.

Nicknamed "The Freak", Moss made the impossible look routine—leaping over defenders for acrobatic catches, outrunning entire secondaries, and scoring touchdowns at a rate never seen before. His impact on the game was instant and undeniable, with teams forced to rethink how they defended against the deep ball.

From his record-breaking rookie season in Minnesota to his legendary 23-touchdown campaign in New England, Moss revolutionized the wide receiver position, inspiring a new generation of pass-catchers. Whether it was "You Got Mossed!" moments on highlight reels, his jaw-dropping speed, or his ability to torch defenses with minimal effort, Moss was a once-in-a-lifetime athlete who left defenses helpless and hopeless.

The Numbers Behind Moss’s Greatness

Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2018, first-ballot)
Six-time Pro Bowler (1998-2000, 2002, 2003, 2007)
Four-time First-Team All-Pro (1998, 2000, 2003, 2007)
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1998)
NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
Most touchdown receptions in a single season (23, 2007)
Second-most receiving touchdowns in NFL history (156)
Career Stats:
- 982 receptions
- 15,292 receiving yards (4th all-time)
- 156 receiving touchdowns (2nd all-time behind Jerry Rice)
- 15.6 yards per reception (one of the highest among all-time greats)

Moss wasn’t just a great receiver—he was an unstoppable force, capable of taking over a game at any moment, making him one of the most feared playmakers in NFL history.

The College Years – A Talent Unlike Any Other

Before he became an NFL superstar, Moss was already a legend waiting to happen.

Born in Rand, West Virginia, in 1977, Moss was a multi-sport prodigy, excelling in football, basketball, baseball, and track.
He originally committed to Notre Dame, but legal troubles led him to Florida State, where he was later dismissed.
He ended up at Marshall University, where he dominated college football, recording:
- 96 catches, 1,820 yards, and 26 touchdowns in 1997
- An NCAA record of at least one touchdown in 13 straight games
- A Heisman Trophy finalist spot despite playing at a small school

Moss was so dominant that NFL scouts compared him to a mix of Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders, and when he declared for the 1998 NFL Draft, he was widely expected to be a top-5 pick.

However, off-field concerns caused him to slide, and he fell to the Minnesota Vikings at the 21st pick—a decision that haunted every team that passed on him.

The Minnesota Vikings Years – The Greatest Rookie Season Ever

Moss didn’t just prove teams wrong in 1998—he embarrassed them.

In his rookie season, Moss shattered records, finishing with:
- 69 receptions, 1,313 yards, and an NFL rookie record 17 touchdowns
- Averaging 19.0 yards per catch, showing his deep-threat dominance
- Leading the Vikings to a 15-1 record, as their offense became one of the most explosive in history
In Thanksgiving Day 1998, Moss had one of the greatest single-game performances ever against the Cowboys:
- Three catches, three touchdowns, 163 yards
- Every catch went for a touchdown, proving he was a human cheat code

That season, Moss helped transform quarterback Randall Cunningham into an MVP candidate and turned the Vikings into Super Bowl favorites, though they fell short in the NFC Championship Game.

His rookie season was so legendary that it forced NFL defenses to adjust, leading to teams changing defensive schemes just to slow him down.

The Record-Breaking Years – Minnesota’s Deep Threat Nightmare

Over the next five years, Moss was the most dominant receiver in the NFL, putting up numbers that had never been seen before.

From 1998 to 2003, Moss averaged:
- 85 catches per season
- 1,400+ yards per season
- 14 touchdowns per season
He was a highlight machine, regularly outjumping defenders and catching deep bombs from quarterbacks like Cunningham, Daunte Culpepper, and Jeff George.
Despite personal frustrations with coaches and media, Moss remained an unstoppable force on the field, even in down years for the Vikings.

In 2004, Minnesota traded Moss to the Oakland Raiders, ending his legendary first stint with the Vikings.

The 2007 Season – The Greatest Year Ever by a Receiver

After two frustrating years in Oakland, Moss was traded to the New England Patriots in 2007, where he teamed up with Tom Brady—and the result was the greatest passing season in NFL history.

Moss immediately set an NFL record with 23 touchdown receptions, breaking Jerry Rice’s mark.
He recorded 98 catches for 1,493 yards, becoming Brady’s most dangerous weapon.
The Patriots went 16-0, becoming the first team to finish the regular season undefeated since 1972.
In Super Bowl XLII, Moss caught the go-ahead touchdown with 2:42 left, but the Patriots lost in a shocking upset to the Giants.

Even though New England fell short, Moss’s 2007 campaign remains the single greatest season by any receiver in NFL history.

Later Years – The Legend Continues

Moss continued playing for New England until 2010, when he was traded back to Minnesota for a brief stint before joining the Titans.
After a short retirement, he returned in 2012 with the San Francisco 49ers, helping them reach Super Bowl XLVII, though they lost to the Ravens.
He retired after 2012, finishing his career with 156 total touchdowns—second only to Jerry Rice.

Moss walked away from the game as one of the most dominant, feared, and entertaining receivers to ever play.

Defining Moments of Moss’s Career

1998 – Rookie Season for the Ages: Sets a rookie record with 17 TDs and leads the Vikings to 15-1.
2000 – Monday Night Football Domination: Scores three TDs against the Packers, making impossible plays look easy.
2007 – 23-Touchdown Record-Breaking Season: Helps the Patriots go 16-0 and redefines the passing game.
2010 – "You Play When You Want To" Speech: Becomes one of the most polarizing players in sports.
2018 – Hall of Fame Induction: Becomes a first-ballot Hall of Famer, cementing his legacy as a football legend.

The Most Iconic Randy Moss Football Cards

1998 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket Auto Randy Moss – His most valuable rookie card.
1998 SP Authentic Randy Moss Rookie Card #18 – A highly sought-after card from his legendary rookie season.
2007 Topps Chrome Refractor Randy Moss – Captures his record-breaking year with the Patriots.

For collectors, owning a Moss card is like owning a piece of NFL history.

A Legacy That Will Never Be Forgotten

Randy Moss wasn’t just a great receiver—he was a football revolution.

He changed the way defenses played, forcing them to game-plan around one player.
He was the most dominant deep-threat weapon the game has ever seen.
His impact is felt in every great receiver who came after him, from Calvin Johnson to Tyreek Hill.

A Record-Breaker, A Highlight Machine, and One of the Greatest Wide Receivers in NFL History.