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Muhsin Muhammad

Muhsin Muhammad II (/muːˈsɪn/; born Melvin Darnell Campbell Jr. May 5, 1973) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Muhammad played college football for Michigan State. He was selected by the Panthers in the second round of the 1996 NFL draft. Muhammad was a two-time Pro Bowl selection for the Panthers in 1999 and 2004 and also made the 2004 All-Pro Team. He was known for his nickname, "Moose", and for his signature mustache, and touchdown dance, which was featured in one of the opening cameos of Madden NFL 2006.

Muhsin Muhammad
refer to caption
Muhammad in 2009
No. 87
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1973-05-05) May 5, 1973 (age 51)
Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school:Waverly Senior (Lansing, Michigan)
College:Michigan State (1991–1995)
NFL draft:1996 / round: 2 / pick: 43
Career history
Career highlights and awards
NFL record
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:860
Receiving yards:11,438
Receiving touchdowns:62
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Muhammad was born in Lansing, Michigan. His birth name was Melvin Campbell, but it was changed after his father converted to Islam when Muhammad was four years old.[1][2]

Muhammad was mainly a soccer player in elementary school, but switched to football when he entered 8th grade.[3] He attended Waverly High School in Lansing, Michigan, where he earned three letters in football and an additional two in basketball and track. Muhammad was also an all-state linebacker and running back at Waverly.[4]

After graduating from high school, Muhammad played at Michigan State University. He enjoyed a breakout season in 1995 under coach Nick Saban with 50 catches for 867 yards and 3 touchdowns while playing with quarterback Tony Banks and wide receiver Derrick Mason.

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump
6 ft 1+3⁄4 in
(1.87 m) 		217 lb
(98 kg) 		33+3⁄8 in
(0.85 m) 		10+3⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		 4.53 s 1.54 s 2.66 s 4.16 s 33.0 in
(0.84 m)
All values from NFL Combine[5]

Carolina Panthers (1996–2004)

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The Carolina Panthers selected Muhammad in the 1996 NFL draft's second round with the 43rd overall pick. He was the ninth wide receiver selected.[6] Muhammad made his NFL debut in Week 2 of the 1996 season against the New Orleans Saints. He had six receptions for 96 yards in the 22–20 victory.[7] He recorded his first NFL touchdown on a 54-yard reception in Week 7 against the St. Louis Rams.[8] He finished his rookie season with 25 receptions for 407 yards and one touchdown in nine games.[9]

In the 1997 season, Muhammed recorded 27 receptions for 317 yards in 13 games.[10] In the 1998 season, Muhammad led the Panthers with 68 receptions, six touchdowns, and 941 receiving yards.[11][12]

Muhammad enjoyed an outstanding season in 1999 under new head coach George Seifert and his 96 receptions, eight touchdowns, and 1,253 receiving yards led to his first Pro Bowl selection.[13] His 102 receptions during the 2000 season tied for the NFL lead. Muhammad averaged over 1,000 yards each season from 1998 to 2000.[14][15]

Muhammad was injured for much of the 2001 NFL season, but he returned to form and eventually played a leading role in the Carolina Panthers' run to Super Bowl XXXVIII during 2003 NFL season. Though the Panthers lost to the AFC Champion New England Patriots 29–32, Muhammad recorded the longest touchdown reception (85 yards) in Super Bowl history.[16][17]

Muhammad's play during the 2004 season, where he led the NFL with a career-high 1,405 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns, earned him his second Pro Bowl invitation.[18][19] He earned first team All-Pro honors.[20] By the end of the season, Muhammad held all of the Panthers' receiving records, including catches (578), receiving yards (7,751), 100-yard games (26), and the top three single-game yardage totals (192, 189, 179). In addition, he tied Wesley Walls at 44 touchdown receptions.[4]

Muhammad, who was due a $10 million roster bonus, and the Panthers could not agree on a contract after the 2004 season, and the team released him in February 2005.[21] Hours after his release, the Chicago Bears offered the 32-year-old a six-year contract, and Muhammad left Charlotte for Chicago.[22]

Muhammad's first stint with the Panthers was plagued with several negative experiences. He was the target of a racial slur from his quarterback, Kerry Collins; testified at murder hearings for Rae Carruth and Deidra Lane (wife of Fred Lane); and was arrested in 2003 on misdemeanor drug and weapon offenses.[23][24][25]

Chicago Bears (2005–2007)

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Muhammad became one of the Bears' receiving threats during his first year with the team. He was also credited with encouraging a stronger work ethic within the team's receiving corps and advising young wide receivers such as Bernard Berrian, Mark Bradley, and Rashied Davis.

Despite failing to catch several poorly thrown passes from rookie quarterback Kyle Orton, Muhammad held himself responsible and promised reporters he would improve his performance. However, Muhammad was later seen complaining to Orton during a Sunday Night Football game against the Atlanta Falcons. After Muhammad's criticism, coach Lovie Smith benched Orton in favor of a fully recovered Rex Grossman.[26]

Muhammad's statistics improved with Rex Grossman at quarterback in the 2006 season. He had his first one hundred-yard day with the Bears in their season opener against the Green Bay Packers, and a second against the Minnesota Vikings during Week 3.[27][28] However, he saw less action as Grossman began to play inconsistently after the season's midway point. Muhammad defended Grossman from criticism and often supported him at press conferences.[29] Muhammad finished the regular season as the team's leading wide receiver for the second consecutive time.[30]

Muhammad was the starting receiver for the Bears in Super Bowl XLI, making a touchdown reception in the first half of a 29–17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.[31] Muhammad became the third player in NFL history to score a Super Bowl touchdown with two different teams, joining Jerry Rice and Ricky Proehl.[32]

Muhammad's age seemingly affected his endurance. Although he played all sixteen games in 2006, the Bears listed him as probable or questionable before many games.[33] Before the 2006 season, he revealed he had played through the 2005 season with a broken hand.[34]

Muhammad had a down year in 2007 with 40 receptions for 570 yards and three touchdowns.[35] The Bears released him on February 18, 2008.[36]

After leaving the Bears, Muhammad told Sports Illustrated Chicago is "where wide receivers go to die." The remark caught the attention of Darryl Drake, the team's wide receiver coach. While Drake stated he was unfazed by Muhammad's remark, he argued former Bears wide receivers Bernard Berrian, Justin Gage, and Bobby Wade developed in Chicago and enjoyed successful careers after leaving.[37]

Carolina Panthers (second stint) (2008–2009)

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Just nine days after the Bears released him, Muhammad signed a two-year contract with his former team, the Carolina Panthers.[38] On September 14, while playing against the Bears, he became the 29th player in NFL history to reach 10,000 career receiving yards.[39] In Week 4, against the Atlanta Falcons, he had eight receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown in the 24–9 victory.[40] He finished the season with 65 receptions for 923 yards and five touchdowns.[41]

In the 2009 season, Muhammad caught 53 passes for 581 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown in 14 games and starts.[42] After 14 seasons in the NFL, he retired from professional football.[43] Muhammad, along with defensive end Julius Peppers, was added to the Panthers' Hall of Honor on October 29, 2023.[44]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high
± Pro Bowler

Regular season

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Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
1996 CAR 9 5 25 407 16.3 54 1
1997 CAR 13 5 27 317 11.7 38 0
1998 CAR 16 16 68 941 13.8 72 6
1999 CAR± 15 15 96 1,253 13.1 60 8
2000 CAR 16 16 102 1,183 11.6 36 6
2001 CAR 11 11 50 585 11.7 43 1
2002 CAR 14 14 63 823 13.1 42 3
2003 CAR 15 15 54 837 15.5 60 3
2004 CAR± 16 16 93 1,405 15.1 51 16
2005 CHI 15 15 64 750 11.7 33 4
2006 CHI 16 16 60 863 14.4 40 5
2007 CHI 16 16 40 570 14.3 44 3
2008 CAR 16 15 65 923 14.2 60 5
2009 CAR 14 13 53 581 11.0 27 1
Career 202 188 860 11,438 13.3 72 62

Postseason

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Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
1996 CAR 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
2003 CAR 4 4 15 352 23.5 85 2
2005 CHI 1 1 3 58 19.3 24 0
2006 CHI 3 3 7 93 13.3 22 1
2008 CAR 1 1 5 55 11.1 20 0
Playoffs 10 9 30 558 18.6 85 3

Carolina Panthers franchise records

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Broadcasting career

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During the 2002 and 2003 off-season, Muhammad became a color commentator for NFL Europe on behalf of Fox television. He also was a post-season correspondent for NFL Network in 2004 and has worked as a color commentator for the Big Ten Network[46]

Muhammad won a Chicago Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement for Sports Programs for his segment, Hanging with the Moose, which aired on Comcast SportsNet's "SportsNite" in 2005.[47]

Personal life

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Despite his father's conversion to Islam, Muhammad is a Christian.[48][49][50] He is married to Christa Muhammad. The couple have four daughters and two sons: (oldest to youngest) Jordan, Chase, Journey, Muhsin III, Maddon, and Kennedy. The family adopted Maddon and Journey from Ethiopia in 2007.[51] Jordan is a member of the women's basketball team at Princeton University. Chase is a member of the women's basketball team at Johnson & Wales University Charlotte. Muhsin III is a member of the Texas A&M football team. Maddon is a member of the UNC Charlotte Track and Field team.

He works as a managing director at the private equity firm Axum Capital Partners, a firm he co-founded.[52]

Philanthropy

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Muhammad's charity foundation, "The M2 Foundation for Kids", is dedicated to improving the mental and physical development of children. He also supports the "Back to Nature" program which encourages children to spend more time with nature by taking them on hikes throughout the Great Smoky Mountains and nature preserves in Tennessee[4] and the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he raised funds and awareness for the group by helping organize Christmas toy drives and a special football camp. Muhammad is also a spokesperson for the Men For Change organization which helps raise money for impoverished women's shelters.[4]

On February 28, 2007, Muhammad's high school alma mater gave him a special award for donating $50,000 worth of equipment to school's fitness center, which was renamed in his honor.[53]

The Carolina Panthers presented Muhammad with their "Walter Payton Man of the Year" award in 1999 for his charity and volunteer work.[54]

References

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  1. ^ Johnson, K.C. (September 18, 2005). "He has turned into a model citizen". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  2. ^ Procter, Scott (October 19, 2022). "Muhsin Muhammad: From All-Pro WR to successful businessman". BVM Sports. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  3. ^ Muhammad, Muhsin. "Mushin Muhammad Bio". moose87.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d ChicagoBears.com, Roster – 87 Muhsin Muhammad Archived January 24, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on January 19, 2007
  5. ^ "Muhsin Muhammad, Combine Results, WR – Michigan State". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  6. ^ "1996 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  7. ^ "Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints - September 8th, 1996". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  8. ^ "St. Louis Rams at Carolina Panthers - October 13th, 1996". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  9. ^ "Muhsin Muhammad 1996 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  10. ^ "Muhsin Muhammad 1997 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  11. ^ "1998 Carolina Panthers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  12. ^ "Muhsin Muhammad 1998 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  13. ^ "1999 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  14. ^ "Muhsin Muhammad 1999 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  15. ^ "Muhsin Muhammad 2000 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  16. ^ Rizzuti, Anthony (July 10, 2023). "Panthers will induct Julius Peppers, Muhsin Muhammad into Hall of Honor". Panthers Wire. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  17. ^ Fowler, Scott (July 10, 2023). "Carolina Panthers select 2 more former stars to join team's Hall of Honor". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  18. ^ "2004 NFL Receiving". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  19. ^ "2004 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  20. ^ "2004 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  21. ^ "Panthers release veteran receiver". UPI. February 25, 2005. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  22. ^ Pasquarelli, Len (February 26, 2005). "Muhammad's deal can be worth as much as $30M". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  23. ^ "Panthers Say Collins Contrite". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 25, 1997. p. 3. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  24. ^ Nowell, Paul (December 13, 2000). "Muhammad defends Carruth". CBC News.
  25. ^ Lipsman, Benjy (June 14, 2005). "Dangerous". Chicagoist. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  26. ^ Eguchi, Julie (April 3, 2006). "Don't write off Muhammad just yet". RealFootball365. Archived from the original on January 6, 2007. Retrieved June 26, 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  27. ^ "Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers - September 10th, 2006". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  28. ^ "Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings - September 24th, 2006". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  29. ^ ChicagoBears.com, Grossman displays poise and confidence in win Archived December 15, 2006, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on January 19, 2007
  30. ^ "2006 Chicago Bears Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  31. ^ "Super Bowl XLI – Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears – February 4th, 2007". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  32. ^ "Bears notebook: One they'd like to forget". NFL.com. July 20, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  33. ^ Chicago Bears.com, Injury Report – Chicago Bears Archived January 19, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on January 19, 2007
  34. ^ "Muhsin Muhammad". Fantasy Football | USA Today. Archived from the original on January 4, 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2007.
  35. ^ "Muhsin Muhammad 2007 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  36. ^ "Bears release WR Muhammad; sign DE Brown to extension". NFL. Associated Press. February 19, 2008.
  37. ^ "Bears Team Report – Inside Slant". Yahoo! Sports. August 18, 2008. Retrieved August 18, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  38. ^ Gantt, Darin (February 27, 2008). "Carr gone, Moose official". The Buzz - HeraldOnline.com. Archived from [/http://community.heraldonline.com/carr_gone_moose_official the original] on March 2, 2008. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  39. ^ "Let's All Please Welcome Muhsin to the 10,000 Yard Club, Naturally Against the Bears". NBC Chicago. September 19, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  40. ^ "Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons - November 23rd, 2008". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  41. ^ "Muhsin Muhammad 2008 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  42. ^ "Muhsin Muhammad 2009 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  43. ^ "Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad announces retirement". ESPN.com. June 10, 2010. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  44. ^ Gantt, Darin (July 10, 2023). "Julius Peppers, Muhsin Muhammad join the Hall of Honor". Panthers.com. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  45. ^ "Carolina Panthers Single-Season Receiving Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  46. ^ "Game 3: Illinois-Northern Illinois Game Notes". Illinois Fighting Illini Athletics. September 14, 2010. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012.
  47. ^ Mitchell, Fred (November 21, 2006). "Mrs. McNabb moves forward". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  48. ^ Burns, Aaron (October 14, 2009). "Faith is a rock". Hickory Daily Record. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  49. ^ Brad Biggs (May 20, 2005). "Muhammad all about giving as well as receiving". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 148.
  50. ^ Moose87.com, Chicago Bears Wide REceiver Muhsin Muhammad's Bio Archived February 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on February 6, 2007
  51. ^ Mayer, Larry (January 16, 2008). "Muhammad named a finalist for prestigious award". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on January 20, 2008. Retrieved January 17, 2008.
  52. ^ "Mushin Muhammad Axum". Archived from the original on August 5, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  53. ^ "Muhsin Muhammad II honored for his generous donation". Waverly Community Schools. February 28, 2007. Archived from the original on November 8, 2007.
  54. ^ "Julius Peppers, Muhsin Muhammad join the Panthers Hall of Honor". live5news.com. July 10, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
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