Randy Moss Traded To the Minnesota Vikings: Was Race a Factor?

Randy Moss has been traded from the New England Patriots to the Minnesota Vikings for a third-round draft pick.

Are you kidding me?

Moss has been the most productive receiver in the NFL the last three seasons in terms of touchdowns.  Moss has played in 51 games as a Patriot, and has caught 50 touchdowns.

Can you say productivity?

Moss certainly has put up Hall of Fame numbers throughout his career.  Moss seemed happy up until this season.  He is in the final year of a three-year, $27 million contract.  The Patriots didn’t show Moss any love as owner Robert Kraft and the front office didn’t extended Moss a contract extension.

Moss is still a very productive wide receiver.  He’s arguably the greatest deep threat in NFL history.  That being said why would the Patriots give away a player of Moss’ caliber for a third-round pick?

Moss has consistently stated he never wanted to be traded.  He just wanted some acknowledgement in the form of a contract extension from the Patriots to show their loyalty. 

He never got the love Tom Brady received during contract time.

How come Brady got paid but Moss gets traded?

Did race play a factor in why Moss was dealt?

This goes back to Week 1.  Moss surprisingly let the world know he wasn’t happy with his contract situation.  He essentially stated he wasn’t appreciated for all he’s done in New England, and in all likelihood this would be his final season as a Patriot.

Moss suggested the following during his Week 1 press conference:

"I want to let [reporters] know, let the fans, the real fans of New England, know that I'm not here to cause any trouble, I'm here to play the last year out on my contract," Moss said Sunday. "I said time and time again before I signed my first contract here, I want to be in New England; it's a well-coached group here. I never said I wanted to leave New England, there are a lot of things that are being written or being said that have people looking at me in a negative light."

Moss continued with his press conference, “I don't want to be in a negative light. I want everybody to understand—you can print it, I don't care how you put it to ink—I want to be here with the Patriots. I love being here. I just think that, from a business standpoint, this will be my last year with the Patriots and I'm not retiring; I'm still going to play some football. I just want to get that off my chest. Understand that this is a business."

The handwriting was essentially on the wall after Moss’ press conference.  I’d venture to suggest Bill Belichick met with Moss and they both spoke their minds. In the end management usually wins.  In New England the players are instructed not to speak out, keep things in house and remain silent. Essentially Moss violated the code by expressing how he felt.

Apparently there are different strokes for different folks: Brady wanted a new contract and he got one.  There wasn’t a lot of back and forth. There wasn’t a lot of public drama surrounding his deal.  We just knew it would get done.

Days after Moss’ rant Brady issued the following about his former teammate, “He knows that. I tell him every day. He’s everything we look for in a receiver. He’s been a great player for his whole career. Look at what he’s done here in terms of his productivity. Look at what he’s done this preseason in training camp. He’s been a great example, a great leader. We’re lucky to have him, we really are. He’s something.”

Pretty easy to say once you’ve got your money. If Brady loves Moss so much why doesn’t he restructure his some of his four-year, $72 million contract with $48 million being guaranteed and give it to Moss?

How about Brady urging the front office to show Moss the love he deserves for all he’s done the past three plus seasons for the Patriots?

Talk is cheap.

I think race and the fact Moss spoke his mind played a factor in why he was traded.

Brady got paid rather quietly and Moss got traded very publicly.

Why?

It can’t be because Moss has lost a step.  He’s caught more touchdown passes than any wide receiver in the NFL from 2007.

It can’t be age.  Brady and Moss are both 33 years of age.

Brady is still a top-flight quarterback and Moss still is the most dangerous deep threat in the NFL.

That being said, why was the trigger pulled on a trade for Moss while Brady quietly signed an extension?

Moss spoke his mind.  Being an African-American athlete who speaks his mind in an area historically that’s been encased by racism is one reason. 

Just ask Bill Russell.

In short, it’s difficult to tell the truth, speak your mind and keep your job if you are African-American.

Furthermore, African-American athletes usually have to haggle to get paid their just due.  Vincent Jackson sits because he doesn’t get a fair contract.

The New York Jets have suggested Darrelle Revis was the best cornerback in football yet they didn’t want to pay him his worth.  Revis held out to get a suitable contract.

Then the likes of Brady can easily sign a contract with little fuss.  It was inherently known his deal would get done.

When it’s time for Peyton Manning to get paid, it won’t be much of a fuss.  He’ll become the highest paid quarterback in the league and it will be expected.

The venerable Brett Favre got a $7 million raise for missing OTA’s, training camp, and the bulk of the preseason without asking for it.

The likes of Moss have to use press conferences as a way to express their lack of faith in organizations that don’t appreciate their services to the team.  For being honest he’s shipped away.

Furthermore, I don’t want to hear the “Well the quarterback’s are more valuable to the team” argument.  Translation: White athletes must get taken care because they play the glamour position in football.

According to stereotype, a white quarterback who can think is a lot harder to find than athletic wide receivers that can run and jump.  The latter plays a role in justifying taking care of the Tom Brady’s of the world while letting the Randy Moss’ walk.

Besides African-Americans are so gifted athletically they can play any position right on the field right?

Remember when Michael Vick came back last year? There was talk that he should be a running back.  He’s such a great runner that he could easily make the switch.

Based on how he’s played thus far I’d venture to say Vick is indeed a quarterback.

Regarding Moss, he can get the appreciation he yearns in Minnesota.  It’s very difficult to perform for an organization where you don’t feel wanted. That goes for professional athletes and the rest of society.

It is what it is.

Email Dexter directly.  Follow him on Twitter.  Read about Sports & More from Dexter. For Media Requests please contact Public Relations.