The Minnesota Vikings selected Moss in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft. His rookie season was nothing short of spectacular, as he caught 69 passes for 1,313 yards and 17 touchdowns, earning him the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Moss's ability to stretch the field with his speed and leaping ability quickly made him a favorite target for quarterbacks and a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Throughout his tenure with the Vikings, Moss continued to put up impressive numbers. He was instrumental in helping the team reach the playoffs multiple times, including an appearance in the NFC Championship Game in the 1998 season. His time in Minnesota was marked by numerous highlights, including a memorable Thanksgiving Day game in 1998 against the Dallas Cowboys, where he caught three passes for 163 yards, all resulting in touchdowns.
In 2005, Moss was traded to the Oakland Raiders, where his performance was inconsistent due to injuries and team struggles. Despite these challenges, he still managed to record over 1,000 receiving yards in his first season with the Raiders. However, his time in Oakland was short-lived, and in 2007, he was traded to the New England Patriots.
Moss's career experienced a resurgence with the Patriots. In the 2007 season, he set an NFL record with 23 touchdown receptions, helping the team achieve a perfect 16-0 regular-season record. His chemistry with quarterback Tom Brady was evident, as the duo became one of the most prolific passing combinations in NFL history. The Patriots reached Super Bowl XLII that season, though they were ultimately defeated by the New York Giants.
After his successful stint with the Patriots, Moss's career took several turns. He was traded back to the Vikings in 2010, but his second tenure in Minnesota was brief. He then joined the Tennessee Titans later that season. Moss announced his retirement in 2011, but he returned to the NFL in 2012 to play for the San Francisco 49ers. He contributed to the 49ers' run to Super Bowl XLVII, where they were narrowly defeated by the Baltimore Ravens.
Randy Moss retired with 982 receptions, 15,292 receiving yards, and 156 receiving touchdowns, ranking among the top in NFL history in these categories.
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