Randy Moss is a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

The former Vikings wide receiver was named as a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee on Saturday, a day before Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis. 

"Now that I'm a Hall of Famer, I can breathe easy and be thankful," Moss said Saturday night at NFL Honors. "I started this game at 6 years old and never imagined I'd be here putting on a Hall of Fame jacket.

"Now that this time has come and I can put this jacket on, it's a blessing from above," Moss said. "I just can't wait to celebrate with my family." 

Moss' induction marked the first time a wide receiver had been voted in since Jerry Rice in 2010. Moss is the third wide receiver to be indicted in his first year of eligibility along with Steve Largent and Rice.

"I watched Steve Largent … I don't think I can say enough good words about Jerry Rice and what he meant to the game," Moss said. "To be the third, first-ballot, that's special.

"For me to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, I don't think it's really set in," Moss added.

Moss was one of five former players voted in along with linebacker Brian Urlacher, wide receiver Terrell Owens, safety Brian Dawkins and linebacker Ray Lewis. Jerry Kramer, Robert Brazile and Bobby Beathard were also elected by the Senior's Committee.

Moss was notified Saturday afternoon at a local hotel by David Baker, the President of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"I wanted to try and stay even-keeled, no ups and downs because I knew it was going to be such a long day," Moss said. "I tried to stay busy in the morning and take my focus and keep it off the Hall until 3 o'clock.

"When 3 o'clock came, that's when all the nerves start settling in. I looked at the clock and it was ticking slow," " Moss said. "Then the door, a knock … I think I just started getting excited. Seeing Mr. Baker at the door and all the emotions caught the best of me because it has ben a long journey."

Moss said he became emotional when the news kicked in.

"Tears of joy," Moss said. "When you put your heart and soul into the game, to be rewarded with that gold jacket, it speaks volumes."

Moss played seven-plus of his 14 seasons in Minnesota and made an undeniable impact on the NFL.

He ranks second all-time with 156 receiving touchdowns, third with 15,292 receiving yards and is 15th in league history with 982 receptions. 

Moss, who was inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor in September, produced the majority of those gaudy statistics with the Vikings.

He ranks second behind Hall of Famer Cris Carter in all major statistical categories with 587 career catches for 9,316 yards and 92 touchdowns.

Moss burst onto the scene as the 21st overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft as he helped the Vikings go 15-1, for the most regular-season wins in franchise history.

The West Virginia native used a blend of athleticism and skills the league had never seen before as he finished with 69 catches for 1,313 yards and a rookie-record 17 touchdown catches.

Former Vikings guard Randall McDaniel, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009, said he was thrilled for his former teammate.

"I'm glad he's in … that's a good thing for the Vikings," McDaniel said. "What a thrill for Randy to have that honor.

"Watching him in practice in Mankato and the first few catches he made and what he did, it was just a matter of time," McDaniel added.

While Moss put up staggering numbers in almost all of his seasons in Purple, his 2003 campaign was his best statistical year with the Vikings.

Moss set career highs with 111 receptions and had 1,632 receiving yards, totals that were career bests for the West Virginia native.

He led the league in touchdowns and finished second in both receptions and yards. Moss also compiled four games with at least 150 receiving yards.

Moss, whose nickname was 'The Freak,' was also known for his ability to haul in the deep ball. Of his 156 career receiving touchdowns, 46 of them were from 40 yards or longer.

Moss spoke with former Vikings punter Greg Coleman and former teammate Robert Smith at Randle's restaurant Saturday afternoon before it was announced that he has made the Hall of Fame.

Moss admitted he never dreamt about making it to such a prestigious place.

He'll soon be enshrined in Canton forever.

"Nothing really to be nervous about. When you look at it at the end of the day, I felt that for 14 years I played at such a high level," Moss said. "At the end of the tunnel, when they say the ultimate goal or the last stop is the Hall, I didn't play for that."