Randy Moss was raised by his single mother. Determined not to let his children experience the same void, he made sure to be present and involved in their lives.
Randy Moss has played for several teams, including the Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, and San Francisco 49ers.
Highlights
- Randy Moss was raised by his mother, Maxine Moss, a nurse’s aide, as his father, Randy Pratt, wasn’t very involved in his life.
- Not pleased with the interruption, Randy snapped back, telling Julian Edelman to be quiet when talking to his mom.
- He has five children—Thaddeus Moss, Montigo Moss, Senali Moss, and Sydney Moss—with his ex-girlfriend, Libby Offutt.
He holds the NFL record for the most touchdown receptions in a single season with 23 (set in 2007) and also set the record for the most touchdown catches by a rookie with 17 in 1998.
Over his career, Moss ranks second in all-time touchdown receptions and fourth in career receiving yards.
Known for his incredible speed (he could run a 4.25-second 40-yard dash) and leaping ability (a 43-inch vertical), Moss was famous for making spectacular catches, often in tight coverage, using his size and strength to overpower defenders.
Randy Moss Was Born to Maxine Moss and Randy Pratt, But His Father Was Absent in His Life
Randy Moss was born on February 13, 1977, in Rand, West Virginia, a small town near Charleston.
He was raised by his mother, Maxine Moss, a nurse’s aide, as his father, Randy Pratt, wasn’t very involved in his life.
@sportinwithkb Randy Moss honored his mother during his hof speech..If you’ll notice,some of my videos are showing the human side of players both NBA and NFL just to have a glimpse of how they are as men and not the players we either love or hate. • • • #sportinwithkb #randymoss #randymoss84 #mossed #nflfootball #nfllegend #nfl #nflcontent #motherhood #nfltiktok ♬ original sound – KB
While at DuPont High School in Belle, Moss quickly became a local sports legend.
Moss excelled in football, basketball, baseball, and track, earning multiple “Player of the Year” honors in both basketball (twice) and football (once).
Moss had initially been committed to playing football at Notre Dame, but his path changed after he got into trouble at school.
Maxine Moss had seen him becoming involved in a racial altercation, where he kicked a white student while the student was on the ground, resulting in the student being hospitalized.
Moss was charged with battery, served three days in jail, and had 27 additional days of his sentence deferred until after his first year of college.
Afterward, Moss enrolled at Florida State and planned to play for coach Bobby Bowden.
However, his time at FSU was short-lived. He was redshirted in 1995, but the following year, he tested positive for marijuana use and was dismissed from the university.
Despite the legal challenges and controversies that Randy Moss faced throughout his early life and career, his mother, Maxine Moss, was always there for him.
In his Hall of Fame speech, Randy Moss praised his mother, Maxine Moss, for everything she did to support him and his family.
Moss expressed deep gratitude for his mother’s hard work and sacrifices, which shaped him into the person he became, both on and off the field.
At the same time, Moss is very protective of his mother and has no endurance for nonsensical things.
@newheightshow Dont mess with Randy Moss when hes talking to his mama 🤣💀 @Buffalo Wild Wings ♬ original sound – New Heights
Julian Edelman, the former Patriots wide receiver, recalled a time around Christmas when the team had to work and was playing a game on Christmas Day.
He walked by Randy, who was talking to his mom on the phone. Julian casually said,
“Hey, Randy, tell Mama Moss I said Merry Christmas.”
But Randy, not pleased with the interruption, snapped back, telling him to be quiet when talking to his mom.
Julian, then a rookie, was taken aback and quickly left, feeling slightly scared. Despite the moments, Randy always showed him love and respect.
Randy Moss Chose To Be the Father His Own Wasn’t, After Being Abandoned At An Early Age
Randy Moss became a father at the age of 17.
Growing up with little contact with his dad, he didn’t have a clear example of fatherhood.
As he learned how to be a dad, Moss admitted it was a journey of trial and error.
He relied on his experiences, watching others, and reading to figure out how to raise his children.
He has five children—Thaddeus Moss, Montigo Moss, Senali Moss, and Sydney Moss—with his ex-girlfriend, Libby Offutt.
His main goal was always to give his kids what he didn’t have growing up—not money, but investing his time and being present in their lives.
For him, being a good father meant offering his children the opportunities and attention he had missed in his childhood.
By me being raised without a father, I did not know how to be a father,” he told the crowd. “So throughout the years of me learning, watching, reading, that’s how I became a dad. The only thing I wanted was to give my children everything — or access to everything — that I did not have. It’s not about the money. It’s about the time that you put into your kids.
Randy Moss
Additional Information
- Randy Moss has a sister named Lutisia and a brother named Eric, who briefly played in the NFL as an offensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings.
- Instead of participating in the NFL Combine, Randy Moss held a private workout at Marshall’s pro day.
- In the 1998 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Randy Moss, once considered a top prospect, with the 21st overall pick.
