Vikings Receiver Moss Charged with Misdemeanors

Reuters ^ | 9/25/02

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Minnesota Vikings receiver Randy Moss was charged on Wednesday with two misdemeanor offenses for using his car as a slow-motion battering ram against a traffic officer, but his playing status was uncertain.

Authorities said Moss, 25, tried to turn left in his 2002 Lexus sedan from the wrong lane and was confronted by a female traffic officer during Tuesday's afternoon rush hour. Witnesses said Moss nudged the officer with the car for about half a city block, then stopped when she fell to the pavement.

After a night spent in the Hennepin County jail, Moss was charged with careless driving and failing to obey a traffic officer, both misdemeanors punishable by up to 90 days in jail.

He had been held on suspicion of felony assault, a more serious crime carrying heavier penalties. According to league rules, that could have resulted in multi-game suspension.

Vikings coach Mike Tice said earlier Moss might miss the team's upcoming game on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Brushing by reporters upon his release from jail, Moss said the incident was a "misunderstanding" and he had nothing to apologize for, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported.

Tice said he was disappointed in Moss, with whom he spoke briefly by telephone on Tuesday night.

"He was making great strides ... both as a man and as a football player. Obviously, this is a setback," Tice said.

A rangy All-Pro receiver who has set scoring and yardage records, Moss has had his share of legal troubles since high school when he was jailed for helping a teammate beat up another student.

Moss scared off major college football powers with his problems with the law and has been fined by the NFL for squirting water on a referee.

He was also heavily criticized for once saying he did not exert himself on every play. During the Vikings loss last weekend, which saddled the team with three straight defeats, an angry outburst on the sideline by quarterback Daunte Culpepper appeared directed at Moss.

Last year, the Vikings gave Moss a six-year, $75 million contract extension that included an $18 million signing bonus -- a record at the time.

He set an NFL record with 5,396 receiving yards through his first four seasons and is the only receiver in league history to amass 1,000 yards in each of his first four years.

[Feiny]

You sure are busy posting articles.

Moss is a moron.

[dogbrain]

Randy Moss = P.o.S.

[Jonathon Spectre]

I *loved* Randy Moss his rookie season. Even thought about getting a jersey, but they cost too much IMO.

Since his rookie season he's been a veritable "How Not to Handle Success and Fame For Dummies". I hope he can get his sh*t together, he is a *very* talented player.

[dennis1x]

he was a thug long before success and fame.

[FreePaul]

Moss is a thug and a criminal. He has gotten off because of his status as a football player. He should be in jail for a long time.

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

I thought his crimes constituted felonies he must have pulled out the iverson defense and plead celebrity

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

Hitting a traffic cop deliberately with your car would be a felony for us "little people"- but the rich ARE different! This gives me one more reason to despise the Minnesota Losers - I mean Vikings!

[NC Conservative]

Didn't this guy spend time in the slammer in college for stomping someone so badly thaat it ruptured his spleen. True thug. P.S. Probably votes democrat too.

[Rocksalt]

Randy got a little too pushy this time.

[gridlock]

Guess I'll have to bench him from my Fantasy Football squad this week. I deserve it for burning my first round draft pick on a thug!

[PRND21]

he was a thug long before success and fame.

I got in a fight in college.
Am I still a thug?

[PRND21]

He should be in jail for a long time.

False. He is innocent until a trial or jury says otherwise.

If this were Steve Young this thread would appear vastly different.

[PRND21]

Randy got a little too pushy this time.

What was your vantage point? I'm sure the prosecutor wants to hear from you.

[Grampa7030]

To characterize the incident as a misunderstanding is the heighth of arrogance. When found guilty, he should have his license revoked. He is a thug who does not do the things a man making his salary should be required to do. Every contract has an ethics/morals clause, but they are almost never exercised. That is because of fear that should the clause be invoked, it will have a negative impact on others on the team. With Moss, I am sure the effect would be quite positive. Why a person of his character was given such talent is a mystery.

[dennis1x]

hmmm...did you beat someone into the hospital and then have a felony filed against you?

did you smoke pot on the way to jail?

[Rocksalt]

I actually thought the story was funny more than anything else.He is innocent until proven guilty.I would like to see a videotape of the incident,if there were one available.That would be a good one for America's funniest videos.

[demlosers]

After a night spent in the Hennepin County jail, Moss was charged with careless driving and failing to obey a traffic officer, both misdemeanors punishable by up to 90 days in jail.

Well I hate to tell the critics I told you so. Trying to “throwing the book” at him by prosecuting him with assault would have been difficult for the prosecutors.

And before I get jumped-on, yes Moss is a juvenile delinquent. He reminds me of many dudes in my childhood who would always find out were the line was. Furthermore, yes, I am A Vike fan so I gave him a little leeway.

[tupac]

Votes Democrat? Maybe, what I see here is a parallel of sports and politics. The Clinton/Moss Corollary. Just as Clinton exposed the Democrats weakness for bad character and abuse of power, Moss does the same for pro/college sports and the pampering of athletes who are thugs and criminals by nature. I say to the Moss critics, let him keep going, by his own hand he and others like him will expose the rot that exists in sports and in American culture. Bad Character in the White House and in the locker room will meet the same fate...

[demlosers]

were = where