Despite being a standout wide receiver at Marshall University, Randy Moss found himself waiting until the 21st pick in the 1998 NFL Draft to hear his name called.
Notably, the Dallas Cowboys were one of the 20 teams that passed up on the future Hall of Famer, opting instead for Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Ellis.
In a recent appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show,” Moss disclosed a surprising revelation about his relationship with the Cowboys.
He shared that Jerry Jones, the iconic owner of the Dallas Cowboys, had personally extended an apology to him following his retirement from professional football.
Moss reminisced about the days leading up to the 1998 NFL Draft, stating: “No, not one time did I get any interest from the Cowboys.”
He went on to describe a heartwarming encounter with Jerry Jones during a preseason game when Moss was working for ESPN.
“The crazy part about it is them kicking the tires one time was – Jerry basically summed it up for me, Rich. He came and gave me a big hug one day during a preseason game when I was working for ESPN. He just apologized. It really felt good to hear that coming from Jerry because of how many emotions I had on draft day.”
Randy Moss & Jerry Jones pic.twitter.com/ZKrniA1WGZ
— America’s Team (@RoadToSix) August 13, 2016
The apology from Jerry Jones appeared to have resonated deeply with Moss, despite the initial disappointment of not being selected by the Cowboys.
Moss emphasized that he held a great deal of respect for the Cowboys organization, saying: “I respect the Cowboys and I respect the organization.”
While Randy Moss may have been overlooked by the Cowboys back in 1998, it did little to sour his stance on the franchise. He has since enjoyed a storied career, culminating in his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, boasting over 15,000 receiving yards and earning a place among the all-time greats at his position.
Where do you rank Moss among the best wide receivers in NFL history?