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Misunderstood? Only by any draft board that left him dangling for the Vikings at No. 21.

Mesmerizing? Only a name like “The Freak” could illustrate such onehanded artistry.

Collectible? Only if all-time grails of an all-time great pique any interest. Can’t be outrun. Can’t be overthrown. Randy Moss was a problem

Important draft day lesson: passing on a 6’ 4” consensus All-American and Heisman finalist might come around to haunt you. And if he’s in your division (alas, Green Bay), he’s coming around twice.

And more than any shiny new toy brought to market during the hobby’s shiniest era, Moss’s rookie year was the most electric. For those who weren’t there for it, imagine witnessing his chip-on-the-shoulder tour live.

Now, who would you collect?

Nfl Debut

WEEK 1 VS TB

4 REC / 95 YARDS / 2 TDs

“THERE ARE GOING TO BE NIGHTMARES FOR CORNERBACKS”—

Sam Rosen, sports commentator

What’s hotter to fans and hobbyists than a rookie torching defenders from day one and eliciting announcer hyperbole? In his lone Division 1 season at Marshall University in ‘97, Moss reeled in a record 26 touchdowns. In his rookie year with the Vikes, he continued those recordsetting tendencies with 17 total scores—the most ever for a first-year wide receiver. Twenty-five years later, it remains untouched.

Thanksgiving Day

WEEK 13 vs COWBOYS

3 REC / 163 YARDS / 3 TDs

“HE’S THE BEST WIDE RECEIVER IN FOOTBALL”—John

Madden

He never made it on a Madden cover, but it wasn’t for lack of admiration. Some guys have favorite teams; Moss had a favorite team to beat. The Cowboys famously passed on him with the No. 8 pick, and he reminded them at every opportunity with 10 career TDs and 18.9 yards per catch—his highest against any team, and no doubt assisted by this epitome of efficiency.

Monday Night Football

WEEK 5 @ GB

5 REC / 190 YARDS / 2 TDs

“RANDY, YOU’VE ARRIVED”

Any good Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign needs a primetime comingout party. Brett Favre’s Packers hadn’t lost a home game since September 3, 1995, but Moss righted the Vikings’ NFC North ship fast. He had to be living rent-free in Lambeau’s front office after pillaging its cornerbacks for 343 yards and three touchdowns in two games that year. Haunted by the freakish phantom of MNF, Green Bay took defensive backs with three straight picks in the ‘99 Draft.