Randy Moss is with the fifth team of his 13-year NFL career, and not surprisingly, he's talking about growing up and having a different approach this time with the 49ers — likely his last chance to make a difference in the NFL after burning his way out of several teams.
Moss is saying and doing the right things early, but what may be most remarkable about his comeback attempt is how well he's saying and doing those things.
Moss sounded downright presidential when he talked to reporters the other day, spouting a team-first ethos that harkened back to a famous inaugural speech from Massachusetts' own John F. Kennedy.
"Well, when I first came into this league, it was more of I didn't really understand really everything that goes on with the NFL," Moss said, according to the Boston Globe. "And now that I'm matured physically and mentally, my philosophy is, I do not like what the NFL does for me — I want to know what I can do to make the NFL better."
Moss has always been electric on the field, racking up 14,858 receiving yards on 954 catches for 153 career touchdowns. But he had quick exits from the Vikings and Titans after making offensive comments, and he ultimately ended his record-setting time in New England when he became a distraction with his personal complaints.
Now, Moss is apparently focused on being a good citizen.
"If that's teaching the young guys and showing guys my professionalism and bringing leadership on and off the field, that's what I'll do," he said. "If we have that mindset, it'll make it a better league."
Moss, 35, needs one touchdown reception to rank second on the all-time list, behind Jerry Rice, who has 197. Moss is tied with Terrell Owens, who is also making an NFL comeback this year.
But that doesn't matter, of course, when you're asking not what the NFL can do for you, but what you can do for the NFL.
