Muhsin Muhammad facts for kids
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Muhammad in 2009
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| No. 87 | |||||||
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| Position: | Wide receiver | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | May 5, 1973 Lansing, Michigan, U.S. |
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| 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 | |||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||
Muhsin Muhammad II (born May 5, 1973) is a former American football player. He was a talented wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Muhammad played for the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears.
He played college football at Michigan State University. The Panthers picked him in the second round of the 1996 NFL draft. Muhammad was chosen for the Pro Bowl twice, in 1999 and 2004. He was also named to the 2004 All-Pro Team. Fans knew him as "Moose" and for his cool touchdown dance.
Contents
Early Life and High School Football
Muhsin Muhammad was born in Lansing, Michigan. His birth name was Melvin Campbell. It was changed when he was four years old.
Muhammad started playing soccer in elementary school. But his friends convinced him to try football. He went to Waverly High School in Lansing. There, he was a star in football, basketball, and track. He played as a linebacker and running back in high school.
After high school, Muhammad played football at Michigan State University. In 1995, he had a great season. He caught 50 passes for 867 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Professional Football Career
Playing for the Carolina Panthers (1996–2004)
The Carolina Panthers chose Muhammad in the 1996 NFL Draft. He was the 43rd player picked overall. After two quiet seasons, he became a starter in 1998. He led the Panthers with 68 catches and six touchdowns.
In 1999, Muhammad had an amazing season. He caught 96 passes for 1,253 yards and eight touchdowns. This earned him his first Pro Bowl spot. In 2000, his 102 catches tied for the most in the NFL. From 1998 to 2000, he gained over 1,000 receiving yards each year.
Muhammad was hurt for much of the 2001 NFL season. But he came back strong in 2003. He helped the Panthers reach Super Bowl XXXVIII. The Panthers lost a close game to the New England Patriots. But Muhammad made Super Bowl history. He caught an 85-yard touchdown pass, the longest ever in a Super Bowl.
In the 2004 NFL season, Muhammad had his best year. He led the NFL with 1,405 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. This earned him his second Pro Bowl invitation. By the end of 2004, he held many Panthers receiving records. These included most catches (578) and receiving yards (7,751).
After the 2004 season, Muhammad left the Panthers. He signed a contract with the Chicago Bears.
Time with the Chicago Bears (2005–2007)
Muhammad quickly became a key receiver for the Chicago Bears. He also helped younger receivers on the team. He encouraged them to work harder.
In the 2006 season, Muhammad played well with quarterback Rex Grossman. He had two games with over 100 receiving yards. Muhammad often defended Grossman from criticism. He finished the season as the Bears' top wide receiver.
Muhammad played all sixteen games in 2006. But he often dealt with injuries. He even played through 2005 with a broken hand. In 2007, he had a less productive year. The Bears released him in February 2008.
Return to the Carolina Panthers (2008–2009)
Just nine days after leaving the Bears, Muhammad rejoined the Carolina Panthers. On September 14, 2008, he reached a big milestone. He became the 29th player in NFL history to gain 10,000 career receiving yards. He finished the 2008 season with 65 catches and five touchdowns.
In 2009, Muhammad played 14 games. He caught 53 passes for 581 yards and one touchdown. After 14 seasons, he retired from professional football. On October 29, 2023, Muhammad was added to the Panthers' Hall of Honor.
NFL Career Statistics
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Pro Bowler | |
Regular Season Stats
| 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 Stats
| 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 Records
- Most receiving touchdowns in a single season: 16 (2004)
- Best yards per reception in playoffs (20.35)
- Most receiving touchdowns in a game: 3 (tied with Steve Smith Sr.)
- Most games with 2+ touchdowns in a season: 5 (tied with Steve Smith Sr. and DeAngelo Williams)
Broadcasting Career
Muhammad also worked as a sports commentator. In 2002 and 2003, he was a color commentator for NFL Europe on Fox TV. He also worked for NFL Network and the Big Ten Network.
He even won a Chicago Emmy Award in 2005. This was for his TV segment called Hanging with the Moose.
Personal Life
Muhsin Muhammad is a Christian. He is married to Christa Muhammad. They have four daughters and two sons. Their children are Jordan, Chase, Journey, Muhsin III, Maddon, and Kennedy. Maddon and Journey were adopted from Ethiopia in 2007.
His children are also active in sports. Jordan plays women's basketball at Princeton University. Chase plays women's basketball at Johnson & Wales University Charlotte. Muhsin III plays football for Texas A&M. Maddon is on the UNC Charlotte Track and Field team.
Muhammad also works in business. He is a managing director at Axum Capital Partners. This is a company he helped start.
Helping Others: Philanthropy
Muhammad cares a lot about helping kids. His charity, "The M2 Foundation for Kids," helps children grow. It focuses on their mental and physical development.
He also supports the "Back to Nature" program. This program encourages kids to explore nature. They go on hikes in places like the Great Smoky Mountains. Muhammad also helps the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He raises money and awareness for them. He organizes toy drives and football camps.
Muhammad is also a spokesperson for "Men For Change." This group helps raise money for women's shelters.
In 2007, his high school honored him. They gave him an award for donating $50,000 worth of equipment. The school's fitness center was renamed after him. In 1999, the Carolina Panthers gave him the "Walter Payton Man of the Year" award. This was for his great charity work.
