Randy Moss was a superstar wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL), leaving his mark on the game for over a decade.
Born in West Virginia in 1977, his athletic talents went beyond football.
In high school, Moss was not only a football standout but also a twice-named West Virginia Player of the Year in basketball.
He continued his football career at Marshall University before entering the NFL Draft in 1998.
Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings, Moss quickly established himself as a dominant force on the field.
He was known for his incredible speed, with a blazing 4.25-second 40-yard dash time, and his exceptional ability to snag passes.
Moss reeled in touchdowns at an impressive rate, and his acrobatic catches became legendary. He spent several seasons with the Vikings, earning a reputation as one of the league’s most exciting players.
His career extended beyond Minnesota, though. He also played for the Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans and even briefly came out of retirement to suit up for the San Francisco 49ers.
Throughout his travels across different teams, Moss’ talent remained undeniable. He piled up receiving yards and touchdowns, etching his name in the NFL record books.
By the time he retired in 2012, Moss was considered one of the greatest wide receivers ever to play the game. He holds the record for the second-most receiving touchdowns in NFL history and amassed over 15,000 receiving yards.
Moss’ impact on the sport goes beyond statistics. His electrifying play and larger-than-life personality made him a fan favorite and a true icon of the NFL.
Parents
Moss was raised by his parents Randy Moss Sr. and Maxine Moss in Rand, West Virginia, a small town with a population of less than 200 residents at the time of his birth.
His father, Randy Moss Sr., worked in construction, while his mother, Maxine, was a nurse’s aide. Unfortunately, Randy’s parents divorced when he was young.
Despite the divorce, Moss remained close to both parents. He has credited his mother Maxine for her unwavering support throughout his career.
Maxine has spoken publicly about her pride in her son’s accomplishments and the opportunities that came about thanks to his hard work and dedication.
Moss also has a younger brother, Eric, and an elder sister, Shana.
Eric, who also possessed considerable athletic talent, played football at Marshall University before his passing in 2022.
College career
Moss’ college football career was a whirlwind of dominance at Marshall University.
Playing for the Thundering Herd, he didn’t just make a name for himself, he rewrote the record books.
Moss earned a redshirt freshman year, but that didn’t stop him from exploding onto the scene in 1996.
Since Marshall was a Division I-AA program at the time (now known as FCS), NCAA rules allowed him to transfer without penalty.
That season, Moss set a staggering number of records, including most games with a touchdown reception (14), most consecutive games with a touchdown catch (13), and most receiving touchdowns in a season (28, tying the legendary Jerry Rice’s 1984 record).
He also shattered the record for most receiving yards by a freshman with a mind-blowing 1,709 yards on 78 catches, a mark that still stands today.
Moss wasn’t just a threat catching passes – he was also the leading kickoff returner in Division I-AA, showcasing his all-around athleticism.
Moss’s dominance continued throughout his college career. He became a two-time All-American, a prestigious honor recognizing the best players in the nation.
He finished his college career with an incredible streak – a touchdown catch in every single game he played (28 games).
This remarkable consistency, coupled with his game-breaking ability, left a lasting impression on college football and made him a highly sought-after prospect in the NFL Draft.
NFL career
Moss was a dominant force in the NFL for 14 seasons, leaving his mark on several teams throughout his career.
Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 1998, he quickly established himself as a star.
His rookie year was explosive, racking up nearly 1,300 yards and a league-leading 17 touchdowns, earning him Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Moss became known for his blazing speed and exceptional ability to high-point the football, making him a constant threat downfield.
He spent the first seven years with the Vikings, consistently putting up impressive numbers.
Moss crossed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in six of those seasons, and led the league in touchdown receptions four times.
However, his tenure in Minnesota wasn’t without controversy, and he was eventually traded to the Oakland Raiders in 2005.
Moss’s success continued with the Raiders, but his time there was shorter. He then landed with the New England Patriots in 2007, a move that proved to be a perfect fit.
Playing alongside quarterback Tom Brady, Moss’s talent was unleashed in a pass-heavy offense.
He set a new NFL record for receiving touchdowns in a season with 23 in 2007, completely transforming the Patriots’ attack.
Moss helped lead the team to Super Bowl XLII, though they fell short of victory.
After a few more seasons with the Patriots, he bounced around to a couple of other teams, including a brief return to the Vikings, before ultimately retiring in 2012.
Despite not finishing his career with one team, Moss’s impact on the league is undeniable. He amassed nearly 16,000 receiving yards and an astounding 156 touchdowns, ranking him among the all-time greats.
His ability to stretch the field and score from anywhere on the field revolutionized the wide receiver position, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
Personal life
Moss has been married twice. His first wife was Libby Offutt, his high school sweetheart. They were married for a while and had five children together.
However, their relationship went through struggles, and according to news reports in 2012, they had a public dispute concerning substance abuse allegations.
They eventually divorced.
In 2015, Moss married Lydia Moss.
Unlike Libby, Lydia maintains a much more private life and there is not much public information available about her background or career.
They reportedly do not have children together, but Moss has spoken publicly about her support, including mentioning her during his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2018.
