Randy Gene Moss (born February 13, 1977) is a retired American professional football wide receiver, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NFL history. Over a 14-season career, Moss played for the Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, and San Francisco 49ers, setting multiple records, including the NFL single-season touchdown reception record (23 in 2007) and the rookie single-season record (17 in 1998). His combination of size, speed, and leaping ability redefined the wide receiver position, and the term “Mossed” entered football lexicon to describe his spectacular catches over defenders.
Moss’s career was marked by dominance on the field, with six Pro Bowl selections, four first-team All-Pro honors, and induction into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2018) and College Football Hall of Fame. Beyond football, he transitioned into media work with ESPN as a studio analyst.
Quick Facts of Randy Moss
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Randy Gene Moss |
| Date of Birth | February 13, 1977 |
| Age | 48 |
| Place of Birth | Rand, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| High School | DuPont High School, West Virginia |
| College | Marshall University (1996–1997) |
| NFL Draft | 1998: 1st round, 21st overall pick |
| Career Teams | Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers |
| Position | Wide Receiver |
| Career Stats | 983 receptions, 15,295 receiving yards, 157 TDs |
| Major Awards | NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1998), NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2007), 6× Pro Bowl, 4× First-team All-Pro, Fred Biletnikoff Award (1997) |
| Hall of Fame | Pro Football Hall of Fame (2018), College Football Hall of Fame |
Early Life
Moss was born in Rand, West Virginia, and attended DuPont High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He led DuPont to back-to-back state championships in 1992 and 1993 in football and earned the West Virginia Player of the Year award in both football and basketball. Moss also demonstrated remarkable speed, winning the state 100m and 200m sprints at age 15.
Despite his athletic success, Moss faced challenges off the field, including a high school incident that led to a brief jail sentence. He overcame early setbacks, completing his education at Cabell Alternative School before moving to college football opportunities.
College Career
Initially signing with Notre Dame, Moss was blocked from enrollment due to disciplinary issues and briefly attended Florida State before transferring to Marshall University.
- Freshman (1996): Moss set NCAA Division I-AA records with 28 touchdown receptions and 1,709 receiving yards, leading Marshall to the I-AA Championship.
- Sophomore (1997): Marshall moved to Division I-A. Moss caught 26 touchdown passes, won the Fred Biletnikoff Award, MAC Offensive Player of the Year, and was a Consensus All-American. He finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.
Over his college career, Moss scored at least one touchdown in every game, showcasing extraordinary consistency and talent.
Professional Career
Minnesota Vikings (1998–2004)
Drafted 21st overall in 1998, Moss earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after catching 17 touchdown passes. Over seven seasons, he amassed 90 touchdown receptions, including multiple 1,200-yard campaigns.
Oakland Raiders (2005–2006)
Moss struggled with the Raiders due to team instability and lack of surrounding talent, leading to a decline in performance.
New England Patriots (2007–2010)
Traded to the Patriots, Moss revitalized his career, setting the single-season touchdown reception record (23) and helping the team achieve a 16–0 regular season.
Return to Vikings, Tennessee Titans & 49ers (2010–2012)
Moss briefly returned to the Vikings, was claimed by the Titans, and finished his career with the 49ers in 2012 before retiring. He played in two Super Bowls (XLII, XLVII), both losses.
Career Statistics
- Receptions: 983
- Receiving yards: 15,295
- Receiving touchdowns: 157
- 5× NFL receiving touchdown leader
Legacy & Impact
Moss is celebrated for redefining the wide receiver position with unmatched athleticism, leaping ability, and physical dominance over defenders. The term “Mossed” symbolizes his legendary contested catches. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018 and is widely regarded as one of the NFL’s all-time greats.
Personal Life
After retiring, Moss transitioned to media work with ESPN as a studio analyst on Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown until 2022.
