The business side of the National Football League is one that is significantly different than the one we see on the field each Sunday. Sometimes, stories can be hidden for years, or even decades.
One of those stories is centered around the Minnesota Vikings selecting Randy Moss with the 21st overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. Future Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter was coming off of five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and saw the writing on the wall.
Cris Carter once demanded a new contract from the Minnesota Vikings
Right after the Vikings selected Moss, Carter saw the writing on the wall and called up then general manager Jeff Diamond to demand a new contract that was reflective on where he was at as a player and also one that matched other star wide receivers Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin. He revealed the story for the first time on Fully Loaded The Podcast of which he is a co-host.
"I called the general manager... I said, 'Bro, I ain’t coming back up there. I ain’t coming to Minnesota....I said, 'Man, y’all just drafted this kid. I just watched him high-hurdle a motherf**ker. I see what's happening.
"I’m 33. I’ve made five straight Pro Bowls. I see the writing on the wall. Y’all want me to drop all this information into this kid, and [I've got] one year left on my contract, then y’all gonna put me out somewhere. That ain’t gonna happen.
"I ain’t coming to Minnesota. I ain’t stepping foot in the state. I ain’t coming to no mini-camp. And y’all explain to the people why I’m not here. I ain’t going to say one word until you get my money right.'"
Carter revealing this story for the first time now isn't much of a surprise. He is a confident person but one that keeps business separate from the on-field product. New owner at the time Red McCombs made sure they took care of Carter and he stayed with the team through the 2001 season.
"I didn't say a word, this is the first time I ever said anything about it. And I got great love for the Vikings organization. I got great love for Randy Moss and everything but man, business is business and if I would have allowed them, they would allowed me to play out my last year, you know maybe we trade you somewhere. It ain't a Randy Moss thing, it ain't a hate thing you know? Cause him (Moss) and I end up going to three-straight Pro Bowls together and everything but man, you got to take care of that business."
This is akin to players holding out for more money in today's day and age but with it being a different time, you could get things done without fans and media learning about it. Today, there is social media where news is instantly reported and you can use posturing to get the fanbase on your side.
In 1998, it was significantly harder to use newspapers for posturing. It was good for front offices who could get things done without anyone knowing there was a problem to begin with.
Carter himself had a great point, as he was a dominant force for the Vikings. The addition of Moss unleashed arguably the greatest offense in NFL history with the 1998 Vikings and was the (unofficial) beginning of the modern vertical passing revolution.
In the four seasons that Carter played with Moss, he made three Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro in 1999 with 1,241 yards and 13 touchdowns. He helped make Moss the player he was early in his career and the Vikings made sure he was well compensated.
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