How much of an impact did Randy Moss have on the next generation of NFL receivers? Davante Adams made that clear in a 2021 interview with me in which he tabbed Moss as the greatest receiver in NFL history. While saying anything other than Jerry Rice would have been previously considered blasphemous, Moss certainly has more than a few supporters in the greatest receiver of all-time debate.
If you’re under 35, Moss is certainly the greatest receiver you’ve seen in person. His incredible athleticism and gift of grab made him not only an extremely productive receiver, but also one of the most electric and exciting players of all time. His colorful personality only added to his immense popularity.
In honor of his 47th birthday (he was born on Feb. 13, 1977), here are five fast facts about Moss.
Unexpected Heisman push
Moss initially signed a letter of intent to play for Notre Dame before being redshirted at Florida State for his freshman year of college. Moss never played for the Seminoles, though, after he transferred to Marshall, where he could play right away because of the fact that Marshall was a Div. 1-AA school at the time.
Largely an unknown at the time, Moss quickly became a household name after dominating the competition at Marshall. Moss set several Div. 1-AA records that year including the record for most receiving yards in a season (1,709), a record that still stands. Moss also tied Rice’s Div. 1-AA record for 28 touchdown catches in a season.
Marshall won the national title that season and moved up to Div. 1-A for the 1997 season. Moss continued to breeze through the competition despite the jump. Including Marshall’s bowl game, Moss finished the ’97 season with 96 catches for 1,820 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Moss’ incredible ’97 season led to him being a Heisman Trophy finalist. He ultimately finished fourth behind Ryan Leaf, Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson.
Historic rookie season
Despite his success at Marshall, Moss wasn’t chosen until the Vikings gladly selected him with the 21st overall pick in the 1998 draft. Moss took note on each team that passed on him, especially the Cowboys, who allegedly told him that they would be taking him with the eighth overall pick (they instead picked DE Greg Ellis).
Moss quickly made the majority of the teams who passed on him regret their decision. He had four catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns…
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