Randy Moss proved to be a brilliant acquisition by Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. After a tough spell with the Oakland Raiders, Moss went to New England in 2007 and instantly returned to being one of the very best wideouts in the league.
But Moss’ initial interaction with Belichick was far from his best moment. Moss actually hung up on his future head coach, who was trying to acquire him from the Raiders, because he believed it was a prank call.
“I went down to Houston, Texas, for a charity event. The draft was Saturday. I didn’t really pay any [attention] to the draft and the next day was Sunday,’’ Moss said per Jim McBride of the Boston Globe. “I remember we were about to go into a club and my phone rings. I pick it up and the man says on the other line, ‘It’s Coach Belichick,’ so I hang up the phone.’’
Luckily, though, Belichick still called back despite Moss using some colorful language during their brief first chat. Belichick then explained why he was calling: to bring the future Hall of Famer to Foxborough.
“So then when he called me back, I kind of felt small, I apologized and everything — I felt bad because it really was him,’’ said Moss. “And he just told me briefly, ‘The Raiders want to trade you, you have by 10 o’clock to get up here or the trade is voided.’ So, to put all that in a nutshell, I hang up, got my pilots together and made sure they had enough sleep, and got my behind up there to Foxborough.’’
Moss ended up having a historic debut season with the Pats. He had 98 catches for 1,493 yards and an NFL record 23 touchdown catches to help New England to a perfect 16-0 regular season. Unfortunately, their dream season ended in defeat to the Giants in the Super Bowl.
Nevertheless, Moss’ three-plus-year spell with the Pats should be considered a rousing success, even if that first phone call with Belichick was anything but.
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