Randy Moss Returning To NFL? Star Receiver Announces Plans To Come Out Of Retirement

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Randy Moss once said, "I play when I want to play."

Six months after retiring, the veteran NFL wide receiver wants to play again.

Moss announced on a webchat Monday — his 35th birthday — that he's planning a comeback.

His agent, Joel Segal, wouldn't go into his client's available options.

"Randy and I have discussed it," Segal said of Moss coming out of retirement. "He still has his fire and he's looking forward to playing football. He's excited."

Moss posted on his Twitter page: "Now back to biz!! There's good an bad an u have to b ready for both! its in gods hand now."

Moss retired last August, compiling 14,858 receiving yards and 153 touchdowns in 13 seasons.

He last played in 2010, getting traded by the New England Patriots to the Minnesota Vikings before finishing the season with Tennessee. That year he had career lows of 28 catches for 393 yards.

Moss' 23 TD catches in 2007 that helped the Patriots reach the Super Bowl are a single-season NFL record.

His 10 seasons of at least 1,000 yards are second only to Jerry Rice's 14. He's tied with Terrell Owens for second on the career TD receptions list, well behind Rice's 197.

There were questions when Moss retired whether it would last.

Then came Monday's announcement.

"It didn't surprise me when he retired, and it doesn't surprise me he wants to come back," said Bob Pruett, Moss' college coach at Marshall. "I think he can be a great player for whoever picks him up."

It's now up to NFL teams to decide whether they want to take a chance on the six-time Pro Bowler. Former Patriots teammate Tom Brady has said he'd like to throw to Moss again.

A prospective employer would not only get one of the top deep threats in NFL history, but one with a history of controversy.

While with the Vikings, Moss bumped a traffic cop in downtown Minneapolis, squirted a referee with a water bottle during a game, left the field early in a game against Washington and berated a caterer at team headquarters.

Trouble off the field in high school prevented Moss from attending Notre Dame or Florida State. He landed with father-figure Pruett at Marshall, where he scored 54 touchdowns in two seasons.

"Randy's a team guy," Pruett said. "Sometimes he wears his emotions on his sleeve. He's also a great player."

Moss' personal assistant, Donnie Jones, said Moss is "ready to rock 'n' roll."

Comments

[sdave]

03:45 AM on 02/15/2012

He was a pain the rear then and my guess is he still is.....anything new? Other than he's older and less marketable? Don't think so...

[jantomnidrah]

12:11 AM on 02/15/2012

This guy breeds problems any place he goes. Not a team guy. Hope he doesn't come to the Dolphins.

[picval]

05:08 PM on 02/14/2012

Wow! Chris Carter talked about Moss this amon espn," the guy has more quit in him then anyone I've ever known!" LOL, hey Eagle Fan, trust us...be careful what you wish for!

[Quotidien]

03:07 PM on 02/14/2012

E-A-G-L-E-S...EAGLES !!

[Nutrition Supervisor]

02:04 PM on 02/14/2012

obviously the guy need some money....stop hatin.

[Jo Kurrent]

12:31 PM on 02/14/2012

Hey, thanks for shafting the Titans, Randy. I think these fake retirements just so players can avoid playing for a team they don't like are pathetic, but then that's been par for the course for Moss and his classless behavior throughout his entire career. I believe that any team who signs him this soon after a "retirement" is required to compensate the Titans in the form of draft picks, at least, but Moss needs a stiff financial hit for this scam "retirement."

[SmotPoker]

08:38 AM on 02/14/2012

A team would have to be pretty desperate to invite a known locker room cancer into their organization. Randy had his great years, but he needs to come back to reality. Nothing last forever and he could be putting his health at great risk considering his age. He didn't like going across the middle as a 25 yr old, what makes anyone think he is going to like it at 35? I just don't see him being an asset at this stage of his career.

[Bados]

11:33 AM on 02/14/2012

LOL at you pretending to be concerned about his health. Moss had the most gruelilng off season workout in the league. NFL players make the trip every summer to work out with Moss and cant handle the workout. Guys with this work ethic conditioning wise can play far longer than the typical player. Look at TO. conditioning was the key to his longevity.. His injuries were freakish. Anyone can blow and ACL but not everyone can have a 1k yrd. season at 38. That's with no QB. Randy Moss and TO were considered the best conditioned athletes in the league.

It's not news that Moss isnt an over the middle possession receiver. Appereantly that worked out pretty well for him over a career. Slants, quick outs and out and ups and he can still break a game open. Hands wont and never have been a problem.
The knock on Moss wasnt ever about not blocking down field.. He would just take off plays that werent designed for him and were on the other side. That obviously isnt what he shouldnt do and certainly shouldnt have said he does.

An inspired Moss probably can still change games. What's the problem with trying him out and seeing what he's got left. Best case scenario is he realized he didnt give his best effort the last couple of years and wants to go out in a better manner. He can always be cut if it's not working.

[RobJames]

04:36 AM on 02/14/2012

Randy realizes he screwed up big turning his back on New England. Brady would take him back, and maybe he ate a little humble pie in the time he had off. Who knows, If you can get him cheap for like around a million a year with a contract full of performance bonuses, why not take a shot on him.

[jayquintana]

11:06 PM on 02/13/2012

If he had Jerry Rice's professionalism, he'd have gone down as the greatest football player of all time. Forget WR, greatest football player. As it is, he's not worth the headache. The 25 year old Moss, sure, but not the 35 year old Moss.

[trron9]

09:12 PM on 02/13/2012

Randy you had a amazing career but at 35 the body began's to slow down at the risk of injury stay retired! Their are plenty of opportunities in the sports arena for someone of your status, a sports consultant, a wide receiver coach are but a few thoughts that come to mind!

[Matt Kamp]

09:12 PM on 02/13/2012

Randy Moss is one of the best WRs of all-time, I hope he can go out the way that he wants to.

Matt Kamp
Multimedia Marketing
http://yayaconnection.com/2012/getting-offensive/

[tanguapo]

09:09 PM on 02/13/2012

Yeah, because every team is looking for a 35 year old diva wide receiver who takes plays off.

[Dr Confuso]

09:02 PM on 02/13/2012

New England fans are still lobbying for his return. Branch did it, Randy can.

[Maxedaddy]

05:49 PM on 02/13/2012

Maybe he'll get another chance to go with Brady and relive those amazing Giants moments!

[SaddleBum]

05:40 PM on 02/13/2012

these guys retire and then they realize that there are only so many spots on the pregame show.

ouch.

[Bados]

11:14 AM on 02/14/2012

Except he's spent time working on his racing team he co-owns. and other business endeavors. If you dnnt know why comment? When you use a broad brush you end up with comments like this that dont apply to the person you're talking about.

Randy is a home body country boy who never wanted to be a studio guy.