When Randy Moss walked out of the Wilf office and into the hallway, something caught his eye that hadn't been there just 30 minutes earlier. The franchise announced that it is inducting him into its ring of honor along with legendary National Basketball Association broadcaster, and former wide receiver, Ahmad Rashad.
"He was surprised", Wilf said of Moss, "but he was really happy". I just don't have the right shoes on.' You know, just things you would never expect to come out of Bud's mouth. "So I was actually speechless".
"It probably is the biggest thing that's ever happened to me, the most important thing that's ever happened to me", Rashad said Wednesday. "I love this game and I played, definitely, with a chip on my shoulder throughout my career".
Moss holds the Vikings career record with 41 career 100-yard games.
Moss had a record-setting performance - recording 69 catches for 1,313 yards and 17 touchdowns - en route to receiving Rookie of the Year honors. Moss returned for four games in 2010, but clashed with coach Brad Childress before being released.
Moss went to five Pro Bowls with the Vikings and was All-Pro three times while in Minnesota, was named to the 2000s Team of the Decade and started 108 of his 113 Vikings games along with eight playoff contests.
Eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the first time next year, Moss is second in NFL history with 156 touchdown receptions and third with 15,292 receiving yards. He totaled 982 receptions in 14 seasons.
"What I took to heart was what Randy said at the end of the practice", said defensive end Brian Robison, the longest-tenured player on the team. "And having been here in Minnesota, I fell in love with this place, I fell in love with the people, I fell in love with the Vikings".
Moss was shaking his head before the inquiry even finished. And I told him, you're not going to regret this. "As you mature, you grow, and I think I should have spoke about what I really meant".
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"Coach Green gave me an opportunity, man. There's no words that I can tell him".
Wilf said there were no concerns about the sometime-brash Moss and how he may have rubbed some people, including team sponsors, the wrong way during his career. You see how emotional I am about him?
"I'm definitely thankful, " Moss said.
Moss thanked the Wilf Family for their leadership of the franchise. So looking at this, I don't think there's anything else in my athletic career that could top being (in the Ring of Honor).
Randy Moss and Ahmad Rashad will be added, bringing the group to 23 members.
His time with Vikings wasn't always smooth, but everyone held their breath whenever he went up for a catch.
In hindsight, Moss acknowledged that retiring in Purple would have been ideal. He said that he looks back fondly on his years with the Vikings.
"I've always lived by the motto that, in order to be the best, you have to work harder than the rest". So, now I can just reflect back on the touchdowns, the games against the Green Bay Packers, the games against the Chicago Bears.
"All the memories that I have, good and bad, I won't trade them for nothing", Moss said.
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