History of Randy Moss in Timeline

Randy Moss is a retired American football wide receiver, renowned as one of the sport's all-time greats. He played 14 seasons in the NFL for multiple teams, including the Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, and San Francisco 49ers. Moss holds the NFL single-season touchdown reception record and the single-season touchdown reception record for a rookie, solidifying his legacy as a dominant force in the league.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1987: Reference to Jerry Rice's record

In 2007, Randy Moss broke the single-season record of 22 touchdown receptions previously set by Jerry Rice (in 12 games in the strike-shortened 1987 season).

1995: Reference to Jerry Rice

In the 2003 season, Randy Moss became the second wide receiver in NFL history, behind Jerry Rice in 1995, to play more than 12 games while averaging over 100 yards and one touchdown per contest.

April 1996: Moss has scholarship revoked from Florida State due to failed drug test

In April 1996, Randy Moss smoked a joint and then tested positive for drugs while in jail, which resulted in the revocation of his scholarship and dismissal from Florida State University.

1998: Rookie contract signed

In 1998, Randy Moss signed his rookie contract with the Minnesota Vikings, which was entering its final year in 2001.

1998: Original jersey number at Marshall

In 1998, Randy Moss's jersey number at Marshall, 18, was initially not allowed for wide receivers when he entered the NFL.

2001: Contract Negotiations with Vikings

In 2001, Randy Moss and his agent negotiated a new contract with the Minnesota Vikings. Moss sought a long-term deal that would make him the highest-paid player in the NFL, surpassing quarterbacks.

2001: Moss tests positive for marijuana under NFL substance abuse program

In 2001, Randy Moss tested positive for marijuana under the NFL's substance abuse program, leading to additional drug screenings for two years.

2001: Randy Ratio Introduced

In 2001, Vikings coach Mike Tice introduced the "Randy Ratio", a strategy to increase the number of passes thrown to Randy Moss.

2001: Reference to Troy Brown's record

In 2007, Randy Moss recorded 98 catches, which was the third-highest total number of catches, after teammate Wes Welker's 112 catches that same season and Troy Brown's 101 in 2001.

January 10, 2002: Mike Tice named Vikings Head Coach

On January 10, 2002, Mike Tice was officially named head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.

September 24, 2002: Moss arrested after incident with traffic control officer

On September 24, 2002, Randy Moss was arrested after an incident in downtown Minneapolis where his vehicle bumped a traffic control officer who was directing him to stop for making an illegal turn. A search of his car also revealed a small amount of marijuana.

2002: Randy Ratio Scrapped, Moss named to Pro Bowl

Midway through the 2002 season, the Randy Ratio was scrapped. Randy Moss caught a career-high 106 passes but had a career-low seven touchdowns and was named to his fourth Pro Bowl.

2003: Moss achieves personal bests in 2003 Season

In the 2003 regular season, Randy Moss finished with 111 receptions for 1,632 yards and 17 touchdowns, all numbers that either tied or became a new personal best for Moss. Moss was also named to his fifth Pro Bowl.

2004: Moss posts career lows

During the 2004 season, Randy Moss posted career lows in receptions (49) and receiving yards (767), failing to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career.

2004: Rule change allows Moss to wear #18

In 2004, a rule change allowed receivers to wear numbers 10-19, and Moss changed his jersey number to 18 upon joining the Raiders in 2005.

2004: Brady breaks single-season touchdown record

On December 29, 2007, Tom Brady broke Peyton Manning's single-season record set in 2004 with his 50th touchdown pass.

January 9, 2005: Moss moons Packers fans, fined $10,000

On January 9, 2005, after scoring a touchdown in an NFC Wild Card game against the Green Bay Packers, Randy Moss feigned mooning the fans and was subsequently fined $10,000 by the NFL.

March 2, 2005: Moss traded to Oakland Raiders

On March 2, 2005, Randy Moss was traded to the Oakland Raiders for linebacker Napoleon Harris and draft picks.

June 29, 2005: Randy Moss hosts Celebrity Charity Invitational Bass Tournament

On June 29, 2005, Randy Moss hosted the Randy Moss Celebrity Charity Invitational Bass Tournament to raise money for the Smile Network.

August 2005: Moss admits to marijuana use

In August 2005, during an interview, Randy Moss admitted to having smoked marijuana during his NFL career, sparking controversy and requiring clarification from his agent.

2005: Moss surpasses 1,000 yards in first season with Raiders

In 2005, Randy Moss surpassed the 1,000-yard mark on the final day of the season, finishing the year with 1,005 receiving yards on 60 catches, while the Raiders went 4-12.

November 14, 2006: Moss expresses unhappiness in Oakland

On November 14, 2006, Randy Moss expressed his unhappiness with losing games and being a member of the Raiders, indicating his desire to move elsewhere the following year.

2006: Moss records 553 yards and three touchdowns in 2006 season

During the 2006 season, Randy Moss recorded 553 yards and three touchdowns on 42 receptions. In Week 7, Moss had seven receptions for 129 yards and one touchdown in the 22–9 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

November 4, 2007: Moss makes incredible one-handed grabs

On November 4, 2007, James Black, NFL Editor for Yahoo! Sports, wrote about Randy Moss making incredible one-handed grabs.

2007: Moss Traded to New England Patriots

During the first day of the 2007 NFL Draft, the Patriots and Raiders reached an agreement to trade Randy Moss to New England for a fourth-round selection.

2007: Moss restructures contract upon joining Patriots

In 2007, Randy Moss restructured his contract to facilitate his trade to the New England Patriots, agreeing to a new one-year deal after Tom Brady freed up cap room.

2007: Moss scores touchdown in Super Bowl XLII loss

In Super Bowl XLII in 2007, Randy Moss scored the go-ahead touchdown with 2:42 left in the fourth quarter, but the Patriots lost to the New York Giants.

2007: Raiders seek to trade Randy Moss

Leading up to the 2007 NFL draft, there were rumors that the Raiders were eager to part ways with Randy Moss through a trade, with the Patriots and Packers showing the most interest.

2007: Moss breaks single-season touchdown record

On December 29, 2007, Randy Moss caught his 23rd touchdown pass, breaking Jerry Rice's single-season record of 22 touchdown receptions.

January 15, 2008: Moss faces dating violence allegations

On January 15, 2008, Randy Moss was hit with a temporary injunction for protection against dating violence after being accused of battery and preventing medical attention for the victim.

February 28, 2008: Moss becomes a free agent

On February 28, 2008, Randy Moss became a free agent after the Patriots decided not to place the franchise tag on him.

March 3, 2008: Moss re-signs with Patriots

On March 3, 2008, Randy Moss re-signed with the New England Patriots for three years, $27 million.

April 29, 2008: Moss announces formation of Randy Moss Motorsports

On April 29, 2008, Randy Moss announced the formation of Randy Moss Motorsports, an auto racing team.

July 2008: Moss buys a 50 percent share in Morgan-Dollar Motorsports

In July 2008, Randy Moss bought a 50 percent share in Morgan-Dollar Motorsports.

2008: Brady injured, Moss describes hit as dirty

During the first game of the 2008 season, Tom Brady suffered a torn ACL, and Randy Moss described the play as "dirty."

2008: Original contract terms

In 2007, Randy Moss had two years remaining on his current deal and was scheduled to earn $9.75 million in 2007 and $11.25 million in 2008.

2008: Moss forms Links for Learning foundation

In 2008, Randy Moss formed the Links for Learning foundation to help children in West Virginia.

2008: Moss records 1,008 yards and 11 touchdowns

In 2008, Randy Moss hauled in 69 catches for 1,008 yards and 11 touchdowns despite losing quarterback Tom Brady in the first game of the season.

March 2009: Moss's foundation donates 'Fun Center' to children's hospital

In March 2009, Randy Moss's foundation donated a Starlight Children's Foundation 'Fun Center' to the Women and Children's Hospital of Charleston, West Virginia.

2009: Moss has standout performance against Buffalo Bills and intercepts Kyle Orton

In 2009, during the season opener, Randy Moss had a career-high of 12 passes for 141 yards in a victory over the Buffalo Bills. Also in 2009, during Week 5 against the Denver Broncos, Moss intercepted a pass from Kyle Orton.

November 3, 2010: Moss claimed off waivers by Tennessee Titans

On November 3, 2010, Randy Moss was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans, the only team to submit a claim.

2010: Moss finishes 2010 as NFL's active leader in receiving yards.

At the end of 2010, Randy Moss was the NFL's active leader in receiving yards.

2010: Moss finishes season with career lows

In 2010, Randy Moss finished the season with career lows in receptions and receiving yards.

2010: Moss expresses dissatisfaction with contract and indicates departure from Patriots

In 2010, prior to the season opener, Randy Moss expressed feeling unwanted by the New England Patriots due to a lack of a contract extension offer. Following a game in Week 1 of 2010, Moss told reporters that the 2010 season would be his last with the Patriots.

August 1, 2011: Randy Moss Announces Retirement

On August 1, 2011, Randy Moss's agent announced his decision to retire from professional football.

2011: Patriots trade Moss to the Vikings

In 2011, Randy Moss was traded from the New England Patriots to the Minnesota Vikings.

2011: Titans release Moss making him a free agent

In 2011, The Titans announced they did not plan to re-sign Moss for the 2011 season, making him a free agent.

February 13, 2012: Moss announces return to NFL on his 35th birthday

On February 13, 2012, Randy Moss announced he was coming out of retirement and ready to play again on his 35th birthday.

March 12, 2012: Moss signs with the San Francisco 49ers

On March 12, 2012, Randy Moss signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers.

September 9, 2012: Moss passes Terrell Owens for second all-time receiving touchdowns

On September 9, 2012, Randy Moss caught his 154th touchdown reception, passing Terrell Owens for sole possession of second on the all-time receiving touchdown list.

2012: Randy Moss Motorsports shuts down.

In 2012, Randy Moss Motorsports was reportedly shut down.

2012: Patriots send draft pick to the Vikings as part of Moss trade.

In 2012, as part of the trade, the New England Patriots sent a seventh-round selection to the Minnesota Vikings.

June 2014: Moss hired as associate head coach

In June 2014, Randy Moss was hired as an associate head coach and defensive coordinator at Victory Christian Center High School.

July 2016: Moss joins ESPN as an analyst

In July 2016, Randy Moss joined ESPN as an analyst, appearing on Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown.

2018: Moss inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

In 2018, Randy Moss was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

2019: Moss named to NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team

In 2019, Randy Moss was named to the National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

December 2024: Moss announces leave of absence from ESPN to address health issue and later reveals bile duct cancer diagnosis.

In December 2024, Randy Moss announced that he would be taking an indefinite leave of absence from ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown to address an "internal" and unspecified health issue. Later in December 2024, he revealed that he had undergone a Whipple procedure to address bile duct cancer and that he was now "a cancer survivor".