| Biography | Nama : Randy Moss
Birth Date : 02/13/1977
Birth Place : Rand, West Virginia, USA
Sex : M
Nationality : American
Occupation : Football player
Randy Moss (born February 13, 1977 in Rand, West Virginia) is an American football player (wide receiver) for the Oakland Raiders NFL franchise. He was a former player for the Minnesota Vikings prior to a trade in 2005.
As a high school sophomore, he helped lead his school to the state football title in West Virginia's highest class, starred in basketball alongside current Memphis Grizzlies point guard Jason Williams, and won the state title in the 100 meters. He went on to become the state's Athlete of the Year once in football and twice in basketball.
After originally signing a letter of intent to play college football with Notre Dame in 1995, Moss was a part in a serious, racially charged fight at his high school that left a person hospitalized. He pled guilty to battery, receiving probation and a 30-day suspended jail sentence. Notre Dame revoked his scholarship. That didn't stop another high profile college football program, Florida State, from giving him another chance. In fact, Notre Dame officials suggested Florida State to him because of the reputation of its coach, Bobby Bowden, for handling troubled players. However, because of his signed letter of intent at Notre Dame, the NCAA considered him a transfer student, which made him ineligible to play for the Seminoles in the 1995 football season. In 1996, Moss tested positive for marijuana, violating his probation, and was let go by Florida State. He served 30 days in jail for the probation violation.
Ultimately, Moss transferred to Marshall University, about an hour's drive from his home. Because Marshall was then a Division I-AA school, NCAA rules allowed him to transfer there without losing any further eligibility. In 1996, he tied the NCAA Division I-AA record for touchdown catches in a season. He shared the honor with Mississippi Valley State University's Jerry Rice. Marshall won the Division I-AA title in its last season in that division before moving to Division I-A.
In the 1997 season, Marshall's first in Division I-A, Moss and current New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington were the centerpiece of an explosive offense that led the Thundering Herd to the Mid-American Conference title. Moss caught 25 touchdown passes that season, at the time a Division I-A record, and was a first-team All-American. He won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation's leading wide receiver, and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy (finishing fourth in the balloting).
During the 1998 NFL Draft, Moss was projected as a high first-round pick because of his physical skills, but most teams were unwilling to take him because of his personal history. The Vikings finally selected him late in the first round (21st overall pick).
In 1998, Moss helped the Vikings to become the number one ranked offense for that season. They finished with a 15-1 winning record and poised to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. However during the NFC Championship Game, the Atlanta Falcons stunned the Vikings by winning the game, 30-27 in overtime. In the end of the 1998 regular season, Moss was named a Pro Bowl starter and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year for his rookie record 17 Touchdown receptions and the third highest receiving yard total of 1998.
On September 24, 2002 in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. Randy Moss was driving in his Lexus and was preparing to do an illegal turn. A city worker saw Moss was trying to do. She stood in front of his car and was ordering him to stop. However, Moss didn't stop his car until she fell on the ground. Moss was originally charged with Suspicion of Assault with a Deadly Weapon which is a felony and a misdemeanor marijuana possession. Moss pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor traffic violation. He was ordered to pay a $1,200 fine and perform 40 hours of community service.
Moss's fortunes took a better turn on the football field during the 2003 regular season, where he became the first wide receiver in history to play more than 12 games while averaging over 100 yards and one touchdown per contest. He finished with 111 catches for 1632 yards and 17 touchdowns. All three of the numbers either tied or became a new personal best.
Recently he was fined $10,000 because the NFL did not find his end zone celebration funny where he pretended to moon the fans at Lambeau Field. However, Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, a respected voice of reason in the NFL, defended Moss' action by pointing out that Green Bay Packers fans are infamous for mooning the busses of departing oponents.
As of 2005 Moss' has not cut his hair in several years and, when not braided, his afro is over seven inches high.
On February 23, 2005, Randy's agent reported that Moss was going to be traded to the Oakland Raiders from the Minnesota Vikings. The trade was offically consumated on March 2, 2005.
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