The University of Miami is known for producing good pass catchers.
In fact, from the 1980s through the early 2000s, an argument can be made that the program was, unofficially, “Wide Receiver U.”
Of all the big-name receivers that have played for the Canes, Santana Moss is considered one of the best.
During his time at Miami, Moss set several program records before becoming a first-round pick of the New York Jets in the 2001 NFL Draft.
He spent 14 years in the pros with the Jets and Washington Redskins and caught 732 passes for 10,283 yards and 66 touchdowns.
Who’s your favorite Redskin of all time? Mines Santana Moss pic.twitter.com/DR7nXZb8Kp
— Washington Redskins (@WASHREDSKlNS) April 13, 2024
Along the way, Moss was selected as an All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl and named one of the 90 Greatest players in Redskins/Commanders history.
This is the story of Santana Moss.
Miami Born and Bred
Santana Terrell Moss was born in Miami, Florida on June 1, 1979.
Happy 42nd Birthday To Former Jets And Redskins Wide Receiver Santana Moss 🏈.
*Pro Bowl (2005)
*Second-team All-Pro (2005)
*44th all time in receiving yards (10,283) pic.twitter.com/ItjX1a7Qrh— TimeoutSPORTS__ (@TimeoutSPORTS3) June 1, 2021
South Florida is well known for its remarkable athletes and the Moss family significantly added to the area’s reputation.
Not only did Santana develop into a star on the rise, but his younger brother, Sinorice, did as well.
Two cousins, Zack Moss and Patrick Peterson, would become NFL players.
When Santana reached Carol City High School he was already known as a special athlete who shined on the local sandlots and youth football leagues.
He wasn’t overly tall or big while competing for the Chiefs, but Moss had wheels and could catch a football.
That otherworldly athleticism was evident on the track where he won state titles in the long jump and triple jump.
Santana Moss won two state titles in the long jump and one in the triple jump while at Carol City High School, brought his game breaking speed and big play capabilities to Coral Gables and rewrote the Hurricanes record books. pic.twitter.com/Vn2COZwsdH
— GO ‘CANES! (@83_87_89_91_01) September 23, 2022
Along the way, Moss set a Carol City High record of 14.81 in the triple jump.
On the gridiron, he touched the ball several times each game as a returner on special teams and as the Chief’s primary receiver.
During his senior year alone, Moss was responsible for 450 yards and one touchdown on only 12 kick returns.
As a receiver that season, he snagged 25 passes (which led the team) for 600 yards and 12 scores.
When the year concluded, Moss was chosen as a third-team All-State member.
Moss Becomes a Hurricane
Even though Moss was a talented pass catcher, many of the nearby colleges wanted him to compete for them in track.
It didn’t take much convincing for him to choose the University of Miami Hurricanes.
6 Days left so here’s a pic of one of my favorite Hurricanes ever: Santana Moss 🐐 pic.twitter.com/qnzYwaVDrE
— EL Reed (@Team__305) August 27, 2018
Miami offered Moss a track scholarship and he also took full advantage of the opportunity to walk on to the school’s storied football team.
“I was selected to come there on a track scholarship and I feel like there was no better school I could have went to in order to be able to do both things – run track and play football,” Moss said. “They gave me the opportunity to come in there on a track scholarship and also play football. They were the best school that gave me an offer.”
Moss suited up for the Canes as a freshman in 1997 and immediately made his presence felt.
After just three games, he was awarded a football scholarship.
He then completed the rest of the season with 14 receptions, 269 yards, and one touchdown on a 39-yard rushing play.
On special teams, Moss added seven kick returns for 168 yards.
Big Man on Campus
The Hurricanes finished the 1997 season with a pedestrian 5-6 record, the lowest win total for the program since the Howard Schnellenberger days in 1979.
In 1998, the Canes turned things around by winning nine times and crushing the NC State Wolfpack, 46-23, in the MicronPC Bowl.
Moss contributed 30 catches for 631 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns that year while also adding 147 yards in kick and punt returns.
During Miami’s bowl win, he had an electrifying 80-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.
His numbers in ‘98 were good, but Moss cemented his legacy in 1999.
Santana Moss one the greatest Miami Hurricanes recievers of all time. Might not of been the biggest on the field but you could never question his heart, left it all on the field. #TheU 🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/t7NQgZlk0S
— Jingaling Jingaling (@RipLegendSeanT) March 7, 2022
Before the football season began, Moss set a school record on the track with a blazing 6.72 time in the 60-meter dash and also ran a leg on the school’s conference champion 4×100 meter team.
Then, while playing on a stacked offensive roster that included future pros Clinton Portis, Bryant McKinnie, Reggie Wayne, Bubba Franks, and Ken Dorsey, Moss rose to the occasion and then some.
The receiver had personal bests with 54 receptions for 899 yards and scored six times.
On special teams, Moss blew the doors off opponents with an eye-popping 467 yards and two touchdowns as a punt returner and 134 yards returning kicks.
2000
In 2000, then-head coach Butch Davis led the Canes to an 11-1 record that included a 37-20 victory over in-state rival Florida in the Sugar Bowl.
“When we won the Micron PC Bowl (in 1998) we went to 9-3, and anywhere else in the country that’s considered a great year. But we looked at it like ‘We didn’t do s**t.’ We looked at it as ‘We had a letdown.’ We went 9-3 (in 1998), 9-4 (in 1999), anytime you got to those numbers, we felt like we had to push to be even better. And I think that’s what made us (in 2000),” Moss recalled in 2014.
The only hiccup in preventing the Canes from winning the national title was a 34-29 loss at the hands of the Washington Huskies on September 9.
“One game kept us up from being National Champions,” said Moss. “We were sick about it. I look back at it now, and realize how one game can ruin a season.”
Moss played a huge part that year with 45 receptions, 748 yards, and five scores through the air, 201 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, and a ridiculous 655 yards and four touchdowns as a punt returner.
2000 Miami Hurricanes: Santana Moss, Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson https://t.co/1bBolUINT8 pic.twitter.com/SfiSr4A6cH
— Marsh Cristobal🤟🏽 (@hurricanesmarsh) January 22, 2023
His punt return yards set a program record and Moss’s punt return touchdowns set an NCAA record for a single-season.
During a contest against Boston College in the regular season finale, Moss had a punt return for a touchdown and also broke Ottis Anderson’s program record for all-purpose yardage (4,394).
“Big-time players, step up in big games, that’s all I gotta say,” said Moss.
He was so special in 2000 that Moss was chosen as the Big East’s Offensive and Special Teams Player of the Year, the first and only time both awards were given to the same athlete.
Additionally, Moss was selected as a Consensus All-American and a first-team member of the Big East.
While playing for the Hurricanes, Moss had 143 receptions (tied with Michael Irvin for first in program history), 2,547 yards, and 19 touchdowns receiving and 277 yards and three scores on the ground.
He also added 1,196 yards and six touchdowns in punt returns and 375 yards in kick returns.
For good measure, Moss continued to compete on the Miami track team and won the Big East title in 2000 in the long and triple jumps, netting him the conference’s Most Outstanding Field Performer.
In 2011, Moss was inducted into the school’s Sports Hall of Fame.
Moss is Selected by the Jets
There was no doubt in the minds of pro talent evaluators that Moss was one of the best receivers available in the 2001 NFL Draft.
He had set records at Miami on the field and the track and was seventh in Heisman Trophy balloting in 2000.
The New York Jets already had Wayne Chrebet and Laveranues Coles at receiver, but decided that Moss was too good to pass up.
With the 16th overall pick in the draft, the Jets took Moss and added him to their receiver room.
Jets Draft WR Santana Moss in the 2001 NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/bIuKjCiURv
— Art (@canefilms) November 5, 2023
As a rookie, he didn’t get a lot of playing time and ended his first year with two receptions for 40 yards.
In 2002, Moss started three times and played in 15 games while the Jets went 9-7 and advanced to the divisional round before losing to the Oakland Raiders.
His totals that year increased to 30 receptions, 433 yards, and four touchdowns.
Head coach Herm Edwards also used Moss as the team’s primary punt returner and he responded with 413 yards and a league-leading two return scores.
Moss snagged 74 catches for over 1,100 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns in 2003.
Lemme bless the TL with this Chad Pennington bomb to Santana Moss 💪 #Jets pic.twitter.com/lwPXifWhIt
— Vinny & Tha Jets (@VinnyandthaJets) January 18, 2023
Then, in 2004, he had 45 catches, 838 yards, and five touchdowns as New York went to the playoffs with a 9-7 record.
In the team’s wild-card victory against the San Diego Chargers, Moss had a 47-yard touchdown.
One week later, he snaked through the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 75-yard punt return touchdown in the second quarter of a divisional-round game the Jets would eventually lose in overtime.
Trade to Washington
Following the 2002 season, Moss’s New York teammate, Laveraneus Coles, was traded to the Washington Redskins and played very well, catching a combined 172 passes in 2003 and 2004.
However, after catching 90 passes in ‘04, Coles made it known that he didn’t feel like he was a good fit in the Redskins’ offense.
On this date, 2005: #Redskins acquire Santana Moss in WR-for-WR trade.@Subway #TBT | https://t.co/w95tqYd4BZ pic.twitter.com/L9VydZWjk6
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) March 10, 2016
That led Washington to deal Coles back to the Jets in exchange for Moss, who was reunited with his college teammate, running back Clinton Portis.
“I said at the time [of the trade], you don’t want something like that to happen where a player like Laveranues wants to leave,” then-head coach Joe Gibbs said. “We went through it as best we could. We made the best decision we could. We worked out something there that has probably been good for both teams. I know it’s good for us. We love Santana and we were able to get him here. They have Laveranues and he is a highly competitive guy that they like.”
Right off the bat, Moss proved invaluable when he caught two touchdown passes (including a 70-yard bomb) in the final five minutes to help beat the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2.
On September 19, 2005, Santana Moss caught two touchdown passes in the final four minutes of the 4th quarter to give the Redskins a 14-13 win over the Cowboys at Texas Stadium. Thank you Tana and happy birthday!. #HTTR pic.twitter.com/Tg68Df0uMS
— David Menassé (@Frekiwolf) June 1, 2018
To say that Moss and quarterback Mark Brunell complimented one another that year is an understatement.
At the end of the 2005 season, Moss had 84 catches for a career-best 1,483 yards (which set a team record) and nine touchdowns.
“I think it’s [trade to Washington] the best thing that ever happened to me, especially for my career. I don’t even look back on it, I just thank the Lord for the opportunity to come over here and never look back at it,” said Moss years later.
He was voted to the Pro Bowl and selected as a second-team All-Pro.
Washington went 10-6 and advanced to the divisional round where Moss caught a 20-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
It wouldn’t be enough as the ‘Skins lost to the Seattle Seahawks, 20-10.
Model of Consistency
Washington returned to the playoffs again in 2007 during a season in which Moss caught 61 passes for 808 yards.
After the Redskins lost in the wild-card round to Seattle, head coach Joe Gibbs retired from the NFL for the second time.
Jim Zorn arrived in 2008 and was fired after 2009.
The ‘Skins only won 12 games during that span, but Moss stayed consistent while starting every game and catching 79 and 70 passes, respectively.
Santana Moss Highlights | Washington Redskins pic.twitter.com/ZoJJCRNGWE
— Washington Window (@WasWindow) September 1, 2021
In 2010, former Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan was hired.
Moss was a frequent target of quarterback Donovan McNabb that year, who had recently signed after a long career in Philadelphia.
Although Moss had 93 receptions (a career-high), 1,115 yards (second most in his career) and six touchdowns, Washington only won six games.
Before 2011, Moss committed to Washington by signing a three-year, $15 million deal.
He then caught 46 passes that season despite missing playing time due to a broken hand and the Redskins won only five games.
Moss’s Role Declines
The pressure was on Shanahan to get the franchise to the postseason in 2012 and he responded by signing free-agent receivers Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan.
In turn, Moss worked out like he was a rookie again and reportedly lost 15 pounds to get ready for the year.
“I see [Moss] as one of the premier guys in the NFL at (the slot) position,” offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said. “Santana’s entire offseason … to me he came in possessed. He was ready to go. You saw it physically, and then to see him in the meeting rooms, he’s been great. He’s been so attentive and it’s shown over to the field.”
While Washington finally made the playoffs with a 10-6 record, Moss started one game but appeared in all 16 contests.
Despite his limited playing time, the receiver still caught 41 passes and eight touchdowns.
One season later, Moss once again started just one time and caught 42 passes.
Moss Retires
The 2013 season concluded with the ‘Skins winning three games.
Shanahan was fired and former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden was hired to take over.
The team only improved by one win and Moss was clearly on the downside of his career.
He didn’t start a single game and appeared in 10 contests, including a game against division rival New York Giants in Week 15 when Moss got a little testy with an official.
In the closing seconds of the first half, Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III tucked the ball and ran into the end zone.
However, upon further review, the touchdown was overturned when replay evidence showed that Griffin fumbled the ball in the end zone resulting in a touchback.
As the Redskins headed toward the locker room for halftime, Moss found referee Jeff Triplette and gave him an earful, leading to an ejection from the game.
Triplette didn’t appreciate Moss’s hot take and flagged him twice for unsportsmanlike conduct.
“…very, very inappropriate language that was derogatory towards the official,” said Triplette.
Two weeks later, the Redskins’ season ended and so did Moss’s playing days.
During his career with the Jets and Washington, Moss caught 732 passes for 10,283 yards and 66 touchdowns.
He also had 287 rushing yards, 1,398 punt return yards, three return scores, and 53 kick return yards.
Put the finishing touches on Santana Moss last night.
He ranks 3rd all time in Redskins receptions (581) and 4th in receiving yards (7,867). pic.twitter.com/xkcAlplEzk
— Paul’s Sports Art (@SportsArtist202) December 13, 2023
Furthermore, Moss’s 581 receptions with Washington placed him third all-time in team history.
Moss was a one-time Pro Bowler and a one-time All-Pro and was added to the Washington Commanders 90 Greatest list in 2022.
Life After Football
Since retiring from pro football, Moss has stayed busy.
He and his wife, Latosha, have five children and they have been very active in their lives.
Moss graduated returned to the University of Miami and got an MBA from the school in 2016.
It's official — Santana Moss has earned his Master's Degree: https://t.co/QCCfTui56k #RedskinsTalk pic.twitter.com/UKX7GqWJWW
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) May 5, 2016
The following year, he was named the color commentator for the Washington Valor of the Arena Football League.
When Moss isn’t analyzing sports on television or radio, he spends time with “89 Ways to Give,” the foundation he started to help raise money for inner-city youth.
References
https://www.espn.com/melkiper/s/2001/0301/1119804.html
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/santana-moss-1.html
https://www.commanders.com/news/moss-for-coles-was-a-deal-that-made-sense-3459439
https://www.umsportshalloffame.com/santana-moss.html
https://www.nfl.com/news/santana-moss-ejected-after-rgiii-td-overturned-0ap3000000443354
https://www.commanders.com/news/this-day-in-history-redskins-acquire-santana-moss-15013256
https://www.nfl.com/news/santana-moss-spot-on-redskins-looks-secure-09000d5d829dc335
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MossSa00.htm
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