Muhsin Muhammad facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Muhsin Muhammad

Muhammad in 2009
No. 87
Position:	Wide receiver
Personal information
Born:	(1973-05-05) May 5, 1973 (age 52) 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
Carolina Panthers (1996) Chicago Bears (2005) Carolina Panthers (2008)
Career highlights and awards
First-team All-Pro (2004) 2× Pro Bowl (1999, 2004) NFL receiving yards leader (2004) NFL receiving touchdowns leader (2004) NFL receptions co-leader (2000) Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor NFL record Longest touchdown reception in a Super Bowl: 85 yards (XXXVIII, from Jake Delhomme)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 860 Receiving yards: 11,438 Receiving touchdowns: 62
Player stats at PFR

Muhsin Muhammad II (born Melvin Darnell Campbell Jr. on 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 the Chicago Bears. He also played college football for 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. People knew him by his nickname, "Moose". He was also famous for his mustache and his touchdown dance. This dance even appeared in the video game Madden NFL 2006.

Early Life and High School Football

Muhammad was born in Lansing, Michigan. His birth name was Melvin Campbell. His name changed when he was four years old after his father became a Muslim.

Muhammad mostly played soccer when he was in elementary school. He switched to football when he entered 8th grade. He went to Waverly High School in Lansing, Michigan. There, he earned three letters in football. He also earned two letters in basketball and track. Muhammad was an all-state linebacker and running back at Waverly. In his final year, he played on the same team as his younger brother, Abdullah Muhammad. Abdullah played quarterback and later played football for the United States Military Academy.

After high school, Muhammad played football at Michigan State University. He had a great season in 1995 under coach Nick Saban. He caught 50 passes for 867 yards and scored 3 touchdowns. He played with quarterback Tony Banks and wide receiver Derrick Mason.

Professional Football Career

Playing for the Carolina Panthers (1996–2004)

The Carolina Panthers picked Muhammad in the second round of the 1996 NFL draft. He was the 43rd player chosen overall. He was the ninth wide receiver picked that year. Muhammad played his first NFL game in Week 2 of the 1996 season. This was against the New Orleans Saints. He caught six passes for 96 yards in their 22–20 win. He scored his first NFL touchdown in Week 7. It was a 54-yard catch against the St. Louis Rams. He finished his first season with 25 catches for 407 yards and one touchdown in nine games.

In the 1997 season, Muhammad had 27 catches for 317 yards in 13 games. In the 1998 season, he led the Panthers with 68 catches, six touchdowns, and 941 receiving yards.

Muhammad had an amazing season in 1999 with new coach George Seifert. He caught 96 passes for 1,253 yards and eight touchdowns. This earned him his first Pro Bowl selection. In the 2000 season, his 102 catches tied for the most in the NFL. Muhammad gained over 1,000 receiving yards each season from 1998 to 2000.

Muhammad was hurt for much of the 2001 NFL season. But he got back in shape and helped the Carolina Panthers reach Super Bowl XXXVIII in the 2003 NFL season. The Panthers lost to the New England Patriots 29–32. However, Muhammad made the longest touchdown catch (85 yards) in Super Bowl history.

Muhammad's play in the 2004 season was outstanding. He led the NFL with a career-high 1,405 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns. This earned him his second Pro Bowl invitation. He also received first-team All-Pro honors. By the end of that season, Muhammad held many Panthers' receiving records. These included catches (578), receiving yards (7,751), and 100-yard games (26). He also tied Wesley Walls with 44 career touchdown catches.

After the 2004 season, Muhammad and the Panthers could not agree on a new contract. The team released him in February 2005. Hours later, the Chicago Bears offered him a six-year contract. Muhammad then moved from Charlotte to Chicago.

Playing for the Chicago Bears (2005–2007)

Muhammad became one of the main receivers for the Bears in his first year. He also helped the other young wide receivers on the team. He encouraged them to work harder. He also gave advice to players like Bernard Berrian, Mark Bradley, and Rashied Davis.

Muhammad's statistics improved when Rex Grossman became the quarterback in the 2006 season. He had his first 100-yard game with the Bears against the Green Bay Packers. He had another against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3. Muhammad finished the regular season as the team's leading wide receiver for the second year in a row.

Muhammad was a starting receiver for the Bears in Super Bowl XLI. He caught a touchdown pass in the first half. The Bears lost 29–17 to the Indianapolis Colts. Muhammad became only the third player in NFL history to score a Super Bowl touchdown with two different teams. The others were Jerry Rice and Ricky Proehl.

Muhammad played all sixteen games in 2006. Before the 2006 season, he shared that he had played through the 2005 season with a broken hand.

Muhammad had a slower year in the 2007 season. He had 40 catches for 570 yards and three touchdowns. The Bears released him on February 18, 2008.

Returning to the Carolina Panthers (2008–2009)

Just nine days after leaving the Bears, Muhammad signed a two-year contract with his old team, the Carolina Panthers. On September 14, while playing against the Bears, he reached 10,000 career receiving yards. He was the 29th player in NFL history to do so. In Week 4, against the Atlanta Falcons, he caught eight passes for 147 yards and a touchdown. The Panthers won 24–9. He finished the season with 65 catches for 923 yards and five touchdowns.

In the 2009 season, Muhammad caught 53 passes for 581 yards and one touchdown in 14 games. After 14 seasons in the NFL, he retired from professional football. On October 29, 2023, Muhammad and defensive end Julius Peppers were added to the Panthers' Hall of Honor.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season Stats

Playoff Stats

Carolina Panthers Team Records

• Most receiving touchdowns in a single season: 16 (in 2004)
• Highest yards per reception in playoffs (20.35)
• Highest yards per reception in a playoff game (35 on February 1, 2004)
• Highest yards per reception in a rookie season (16.28 in 1996)
• Most receiving touchdowns in a game (3 on December 18, 1999, and November 14, 2004; tied with Steve Smith Sr. twice)
• Most games with 2 or more touchdowns scored in a season (5 in 2004; tied with Steve Smith Sr. and DeAngelo Williams)

Broadcasting Career

During the 2002 and 2003 off-seasons, Muhammad worked as a color commentator for NFL Europe. He did this for Fox television. In 2004, he was also a post-season reporter for NFL Network. He has also worked as a color commentator for the Big Ten Network.

Muhammad won a Chicago Emmy Award in 2005. He won for his segment called Hanging with the Moose. This segment was part of Comcast SportsNet's "SportsNite" show.

Personal Life and Charity Work

Even though his father became a Muslim, 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. Jordan and Chase play women's basketball for Princeton University and Johnson & Wales University Charlotte, respectively. Muhsin III is a member of the Texas A&M football team. Maddon is on the UNC Charlotte Track and Field team.

Muhammad works as a managing director at Axum Capital Partners. This is a private equity firm that he helped start.

Helping Others Through Charity

Muhammad's charity foundation is called "The M2 Foundation for Kids". It helps children grow mentally and physically. He also supports the "Back to Nature" program. This program encourages kids to spend more time outdoors. It takes them on hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains and nature preserves. Muhammad also helps the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Charlotte, North Carolina. He raises money and awareness for them. He helps organize Christmas toy drives and a special football camp. Muhammad is also a spokesperson for the Men For Change organization. This group raises money for shelters that help women in need.

On February 28, 2007, Muhammad's high school gave him a special award. He donated $50,000 worth of equipment to the school's fitness center. The center was then renamed in his honor.

The Carolina Panthers gave Muhammad their "Walter Payton Man of the Year" award in 1999. This was for his charity and volunteer work.