'Best ever' Randy Moss will leave the game on his own terms

By Clarence E. Hill Jr.

chill@star-telegram.com

NEW ORLEANS -- Future Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss just can't help himself.

Controversy follows him like "moss" to a flame, even as a low-key elder statesman on the San Francisco 49ers.

Moss' problem now, unlike the supposedly bad boy days of his youth when he was too hot to be drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1998, is that he has no filter.

He says whatever is on his mind.

It's little wonder 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree calls him "the Charles Barkley of the NFL."

And Moss, who rarely talks to reporters because he believes his words get misconstrued, was in rare form at Super Bowl XLVII Media Day on Tuesday.

He set Twitter on fire midway though his hour-long interview session when he dared to proclaim himself as the best receiver of all time.

"Now that I'm older, I do think I'm the greatest receiver to ever do it," said Moss, who is 35. "I don't really live on numbers. I really live on impact and what you're able to do out on the field. I really think I'm the greatest receiver to ever play this game."

Yes, better than even 49ers Hall of Famer, Jerry Rice.

You see, unlike the self-deprecating Barkley, Moss has never been beloved because of his drug-using, college-jumping, Green Bay-mooning and media-unfriendly past.

And this seemingly blasphemous -- though not completely off-base statement if you look at the numbers and the impact -- drew catcalls from coast to coast.

If he is not No. 1, he is No. 2 and that's not even close. He is second all-time with 10 1,000-yard seasons, second with 64 100-yard games, second with 154 touchdown receptions, sixth with 14,869 receiving yards and 10th with 954 receptions.

The statement was simply Moss being Moss and being honest and unfiltered as he has ever been -- and as he was for most of the day.

A few examples of Moss-isms on Tuesday:

On family: "I collect every game check and my family spends it."

On if he wanted to be celebrated like Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis: "No, because that's not me. I'm not a celebrator. I love to do my work and go home. I've always wanted to be normal my whole life, from elementary school until now. I've been a big fan of Michael Jackson's, I really was. Everybody grew up, in the era I grew up in, was a big Michael Jackson fan...Michael just always wanted to be normal. I'm not putting myself on Michael Jackson's pedestal. I've always wanted to be normal, still to this day."

On having an imaginary girlfriend like Manti Te'o: "No. If I did, I never told anybody about it."

He also said he's not really into Beyoncé's music. Now that's controversial.

So let's not get caught up into Moss proclaiming himself as the best receiver of all time.

Doing so misses the point of his presence in the Super Bowl after not even playing in the league last year or his importance to the 49ers that goes deeper than his seemingly pedestrian numbers.

Linebacker Aldon Smith was selected the 49ers' most valuable player in a vote by the players. He voted for Moss as did a few other teammates, many of whom grew up idolizing him and are now just happy to be around him, soaking up his wisdom.

"He plays a big role," Crabtree said. "It's in the locker room. It's on the field. Day to day is day to day with Moss. He just speaks his mind like Charles Barkley. His personality is amazing."

Said tight end Vernon Davis: "My locker is right beside Randy. He is a terrific guy in the locker room. He is funny. He is energetic. I'm thankful for him to be part of this team."

Receiver Ted Ginn Jr. said he just tries to soak up everything from his work ethic, to his professionalism to his passion for the game.

Moss is initially hesitant about his role as vocal leader. But he was the one who spoke to the 49ers upon their arrival in New Orleans about staying focused on the Super Bowl.

And while he doesn't regret the mistakes of his youth because they made him the man he is today, he does feel an obligation and duty to offer the wisdom of his experience to the young players.

Being able to humble himself and accept a lesser role with the 49ers, even though he feels he is not only the best receiver of all time but one of the best in the game today, is also part of that process.

That's the main reason why Moss is on a team and competing for a Super Bowl while former Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens, who probably can still contribute in a lesser role as well, can't even get a tryout.

"I don't like my role," Moss said. "I had to grow to like it. I have always been a team player. I've never been about self. Anything that is going to help push our team to victory and win a Super Bowl, I'm willing to do."

Moss said a Super Bowl victory would complete his career.

But that is not the way he came back to the league for a 14th season in 2012 after taking a year off after a disappointing 2010 when he played with New England, Minnesota and Tennessee.

He literally cried at times in 2011 because he missed the game so much. He came back to go out on his own terms.

Win or lose on Sunday, he will be able to do it whenever he decides to retire again -- for good.

"I love this game of football so much," Moss said. "I don't like everything that comes with it. But for me to walk away from the game, knowing I wasn't ready, mentally or physically, really hurt me. It depressed me. So for me to be here, it's just like a dream."

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

817-390-7760

Twitter: @clarencehilljr

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