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News | Minnesota Vikings – vikings.com

5 Moss Moments from No. 84's Hall of Fame Speech

CANTON, Ohio. — Randy Moss has landed among legends.

The wide receiver known as 'The SuperFreak' was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday night in Canton, Ohio, delivering an impassioned and emotional speech that lasted just under 17 minutes.

Moss, who ranks second all-time with 156 career receiving touchdowns and is fourth in league history with 15,292 receiving yards, spoke about his faith, family and his playing days during his speech.

Here are five moments from Moss' speech:

1. Paying tribute to Dennis Green

Moss' career started in Minnesota in 1998 when the Vikings and former head coach Dennis Green drafted the wide receiver in the first round.

Moss paid homage to Green, who likely would have presented the Vikings Ring of Honor member at his induction ceremony. Green passed away July 22, 2016.

"First and foremost, I have to give the credit to where it's due," Moss said. "Where would we be without Dennis Green? Where would the real Minnesota Vikings, Randy Moss true fans be if Dennis Green would have never pulled that trigger with the 21st pick?

"I want to thank all the true Minnesota Vikings fans for being able to stick with me through thick and thin, ups and downs, bumpy roads," Moss added. "This is for us."

2. 'They need to celebrate you'

Moss spent the first portion of his speech paying tribute to his family, a group that included his wife and kids and nieces and nephews.

But his most powerful tribute went to his mother, whom he credited for showing him what a hard work ethic was growing up.

"Momma, if they're here celebrating me for all of my accomplishments, they need to celebrate you," Moss said. "Being able to work two or three jobs to provide for us, you took care of us.

"For her to understand what this jacket means to me … 'Momma, it was not about me.' I had to go get it for us," Moss added.

Moss closed his speech with a statement to his mother that he considers them both of Hall of Famers.

"Maxine Patricia Moss … WE are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame," Moss exclaimed.

3. Bringing the party to Rand

Moss is bringing the celebration home to West Virginia.

Moss announced during his speech that he will be back in his hometown of Rand on Sunday afternoon to hold a party for those who still live in his community.

"I'm bringing this gold jacket back tomorrow at the town center [at] 4:30 [p.m.]," Moss said. "All y'all West Virginians who want to see this gold jacket meet me at the town center tomorrow at 4:30 [p.m.].

"I have a little work to do here, but I'll be home as soon as I'm done, so you all can lay eyes on this gold jacket because it is ours," Moss added.

Moss recalled his tough childhood in Rand, citing poverty and racism as issues that he often dealt with.

But he added those experiences in the small town shaped him into the Hall of Famer he is today.

"Believe me when I tell you all, where I come from, I knew I had to carry you all," Moss said. "From the bottom of my heart, I know a lot of people out there and struggling.

"I cannot forget my small, unincorporated community of Rand, West Virginia," Moss added. "That's where it all starts, and it was the foundation."

4. All about 11, not 1

Moss set numerous individual records during his career, including catching a rookie-record 17 touchdowns in 1998, a mark that still stands today. He also set the single-season record with 23 touchdown catches in 2007 while with New England.

But the man with nine double-digit touchdown seasons and 10 1,000-yard seasons said he never cared much for the individual accolades.

Toward the end of his speech, Moss recognized all of the people that he saw on a daily basis throughout his 14-year NFL career.

"All of those individual awards don't really mean anything to me," Moss said. "It's a team sport. Football is a team sport.

"If you checked your pride at the door and are not ashamed … all my teammates, coaches, equipment managers, trainers — if you're in attendance today — I want to thank you because it doesn't take one, it takes all 11 of us," Moss added. "For all my teammates that I just talked about … man, stand up. Stand up right now. There is not one … it's 11."

5. Wilf family

Moss was inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor at halftime of the Vikings 2017 season opener at U.S Bank Stadium.

The wide receiver thanked the Wilf family for their leadership as owners of the team and for making Moss feel like a part of the Vikings family once again.

He also heaped praise on the current Vikings team that has lofty expectations.

"The Wilf family … I want to thank you for opening the door and not being scared to reach out," Moss said. "You all are great owners. You promised the state a stadium, and y'all delivered.

"You all continue to do great things in the state," Moss said. "And a Super Bowl will be coming your way."

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